ByChicago Ticket Parking Amnesty of 2016
In 2016, the City of Chicago proposed amendments to the amnesty of parking tickets — in a sense, outstanding debt would not need to be repaid and there would be greater plans for amending traffic tickets, including longer periods for payment.
If you got a parking ticket from Chicago recently, may be able to assist you in deciding whether or not to challenge your ticket. Continue reading to find out more!
What Exactly Is A Traffic Infraction?
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- Parking penalties are infractions, however they are handled as civil proceedings rather than criminal charges.
- Traffic offenses are categorized into many categories depending on their severity: misdemeanors and felonies are split into two categories: infractions and misdemeanors.
- Driver-related offenses differ state-by-state, and the regulations that determine them also vary.
- Traffic infractions, on the other hand, are classified and punished according to the laws of the jurisdiction in issue, the offender's prior convictions, and whether or not the violation resulted in injury, death, or property damage.
Driving Code Infractions in Illinois
The overwhelming majority of traffic offenses are infractions. A traffic infraction is a prohibited act that is considered to be a non-criminal act. Here is a list of traffic infractions:
- Speeding
- Inability to stop or come to a halt
- Lack of communication
- Inadequate illumination while driving
- Failure to use a seatbelt
- Incurring a Parking Ticket
Strict Liability Offenses in Chicago
In most cases, traffic violations are classified as "strict liability" offenses, which means that a driver may be found guilty of an infraction whether or not he or she intended to.
It is not required to show that a driver was aware that he or she was exceeding the speed limit in order to be convicted if the speed limit was exceeded.
Moving and Stalled Violations
There are two types of traffic violations: moving and nonmoving.
- Because they involve movement and can cause more dangerous situations, moving violations are considered to be more serious. They also result in higher penalties.
- Speeding and running red signals are examples of moving offenses.
- Illegal parking, defective vehicle equipment, and other non-moving violations are some examples of stalled violations
Penalties
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- In the vast majority of states, a traffic violation does not result in jail time.
- Infractions may result in fines, traffic school, and demerit points on a driver's record.
- Unpaid citations may lead to higher insurance premiums and the revocation of a driver's license.
How to Pay for a Parking Ticket from Chicago
The last time Chicago offered an amnesty for parking ticket payments was 2019. The amendments were similar to the 2016 amnesty. The 2019 amnesty included:
- Stopping license suspensions for a history of unpaid parking tickets
- Suspension of doubling fines for vehicles without renewal stickers
- Lowering down payment requirements and offering more time to pay tickets before impoundment
If you recently received a parking ticket from Chicago, and prefer to pay the fine, here’s a table to help:
| Pay Online | Online Payment Portal Payment Plans options: here |
| Pay at an EZ Pay Station | City Hall 121 North LaSalle, Room 107A Central Hearing Facility 400 W. Superior, 1st Floor2006 East 95th Street 4770 South Kedzie 4445 North Pulaski |
| Pay by Mail | Send your check or money order to: City of Chicago Dept. of Finance P.O. Box 6289 Chicago IL 60680-6289 |
Conversely, you can appeal the ticket yourself. Click here to find out how, or refer to the table below:
| Appeal Online | Request an in-person hearing through this portal |
| Appeal by Mail | Mail to: City of Chicago Department of Finance P.O. Box 88292 Chicago, IL 60680-1292 The city of Chicago also offers a guide on what laws and regulations can be used as supporting evidence to back your appeal. |
| Appeal In-Person | Visit any of these three locations:
2006 E. 95th Street 4445 N. Pulaski 400 W. Superior Street |
Contesting a Parking Ticket in Chicago
Following the steps below will guarantee a smooth contestation and appeals process for any parking ticket in any city, including Chicago. can even mail the appeal for you! How are you going to do it?
- Log-in to and go to the parking tickets icon
- Upload a photo of your ticket and enter the citation number
- Tell us why you think you don’t deserve the ticket
- Provide photo evidence
- Choose whether you want DoNotPay to mail the appeal letter for you
It’s that simple! Once the appeal is submitted, look out for correspondence from the city of Chicago in the following weeks!
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