CALUMET CITY | Municipal officials want to approve a new law allowing for the licensing of landlords in the south suburb as a way of cracking down on crime.

Under such an ordinance, which 3rd Ward Alderman Thaddeus Jones said Thursday would come before the City Council for final approval when they meet June 25, city government would issue licenses to landlords with the understanding that such licenses could be revoked if landlords do not comply with the intent of the law.

The intent is for the landlords to evict tenants who are arrested for crimes if it can be shown that the people used their rental apartments in some way to commit the illegal act.

The idea is people who commit crimes can lose their residence. Some activists have argued it is wrong to take someone's housing away from them, but Jones said that argument does not sway him.

"I think this gives people the power to protect themselves from crime," Jones said. "I don't think anyone really wants these professional tenants and the problems they cause living near them."

Under the measure, landlords would have to participate in special training sessions conducted by the police department. Those sessions are meant to make landlords aware of potential signs their tenants may be engaged in improper behavior.

Once the ordinance is approved, police Chief Edward L. Gilmore will appoint a Crime-Free Housing Coordinator, who will work with the city clerk's office to handle the issuance of licenses.

The actual issuance of licenses would begin on Jan. 1, and licenses would have to be renewed annually. Landlords who have their licenses revoked for failing to evict a suspect tenant would be forbidden to rent their properties.

One difference between the licenses to be issued by Calumet City and those issued in suburbs such as Lansing, Riverdale and Chicago Heights that have similar ordinances is the city is not charging a fee to the landlords.

Such ordinances originally were developed in Arizona, and there are currently municipalities in 44 states that have such laws. The Illinois General Assembly is considering such a measure for the entire state.

State Rep. Anthony DeLuca, D-Chicago Heights, who was mayor of that suburb when it enacted the ordinance, sponsored a measure that actually received Illinois House approval.

But state Senate officials never considered the measure before the Illinois Legislature adjourned May 31 for the summer.

While Jones said he likes the idea the concept could become state law, he's not willing to wait for the Legislature to get its act together.

"The Legislature may not get around to this until they return in January," Jones said. "I want something in place now."