Chicago City Wire

Illinois residents in certain urban areas, particularly around Chicago, are no strangers to receiving tickets and fines for parking violations, tollway charges, and red-light camera offenses. However, citizens have the right to contest these tickets and seek an appeal if they believe they have been wrongly accused.

When it comes to parking tickets, the ticket is issued to the owner of the vehicle. Citizens have the option to contest the ticket within seven days of its issuance. If no contest or payment is received, a second Notice of Violation is sent, allowing 21 days to request a hearing. Failure to respond to this notice will result in a default finding of liability. At this point, the citizen has 21 days to appear in person, and if they do not, their ability to contest or appeal the ticket expires. After 25 days, a final determination is mailed, stating that all options to challenge the ticket have been forfeited, and a late payment penalty will be assessed.

According to the article, there are several defenses that citizens can use when contesting parking and compliance tickets. These include:

- Not being the owner or lessee of the cited vehicle at the time of the violation.

- The vehicle or license plates being stolen at the time of the violation.

- Missing or obscured signs prohibiting or restricting parking.

- Inoperable or malfunctioning parking meters through no fault of the respondent.

- Inconsistent facts alleged in the violation or a lack of evidence supporting a violation of regulations.

Other circumstances that can be considered include issues with specialty plates, computer misreads of plate numbers, older or lost plates, and providing evidence that the vehicle pictured in the violation is not owned by the person receiving the ticket.

When fighting a parking ticket, it is important to carefully inspect the ticket for any errors or mistakes that could warrant a dismissal. Additionally, presenting evidence such as photographs of confusing or faded parking signs can be helpful in proving one's case.

Moving on to tollway charges, the Illinois Tollway System provides multiple opportunities for customers to address unpaid tolls and avoid entering the violation process. Customers can make payments online using the assigned invoice number. However, mistakes can occur, and if a customer believes that their license plate image has been misidentified, they can dispute it by filling out an Affidavit of Non-Liability and providing relevant documentation. The Tollway System also offers payment plans for up to 24 months to pay the entire amount owed.

For those without I-PASS or E-ZPass accounts, the Pay By Plate plan allows drivers to securely pay unpaid tolls within 14 days after the date of travel on a toll road, avoiding any additional fines or fees.

In Illinois, red light cameras are implemented in certain locations, and citations can be issued to vehicle owners who violate red light regulations. The process for contesting or appealing a red-light citation is similar to that of a parking ticket. Citizens who receive a citation will also receive a notice in the mail displaying images of the vehicle registered in their name, including a close-up image of the license plate. Defenses allowed for red light violations recorded by automated cameras include the vehicle or license plates being reported as stolen and not recovered at the time of the violation, or inconsistencies in the facts alleged in the violation notice.

It is important to note that ignoring red-light fines can result in additional penalties. The city of Chicago may issue a seizure notice, leading to the towing, booting, and storage of the vehicle, incurring further fees and costs.

If one wishes to contest or appeal a parking ticket or red-light citation, there are various methods available. A hearing request can be submitted online, and tickets can be contested by mail or in-person. Additionally, there are rules for representation if the vehicle owner is unable to attend a hearing.

It is crucial to remember that the information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice. Individuals seeking further information should consult a private attorney.

To learn more, click on this link: https://repstephens.com/2023/10/14/how-to-appeal-a-parking-tollway-or-red-light-ticket-in-illinois/