Payment Plan Definitions

Violation

Notice of Violation (NOV) indicates that a motorist has incurred a parking, standing, compliance, automated speed enforcement and/or red light camera violation(s). The motorist has the option to pay the fine amount, enroll in an Early Payment Plan or request an in-person hearing, contest the violation online or contest the ticket by mail prior to the Notice of Determination.

Determination

Notice of Determination (NOD) indicates that a Determination has been made on a parking, standing, compliance, automated speed enforcement and/or red light camera violation(s). There are three types of Determinations:

  1. Default Determination. This type of determination indicates that a motorist has failed to pay the fine amount or contest the violation and, therefore, is found to be in default. In this situation, a motorist can pay the fine amount or go to 400 W. Superior and request to “set aside” the Determination (Motion to Set Aside) and have an immediate in-person hearing.
  2. Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) Determination. This type of determination indicates that an ALJ has reviewed the merits of the case (either through an in -person, online or mailed contest) and ruled in favor of the City. In this situation, a motorist can either a) pay the fine amount or b) appeal the ALJ’s decision by opening an appeal with the Circuit Court of Cook County.
  3. Failure to Appear (FTA) Determination. This type of determination indicates that the motorist failed to appear at an in-person hearing and, therefore, is found to be in default. In this situation, a motorist can pay the fine or go to 400 W. Superior, 2006 E. 95th Street, or 2550 W. Addison and request to “set aside” the determination (Motion to Set Aside) and have an immediate in-person hearing.

Final

Notice of Final Determination (NOFD) indicates that the motorist has failed to pay the violation and incurred a penalty. The motorist must pay the fine and the penalty.

Seizure

Notice of Seizure (NOS) indicates that the motorist has accumulated either a) three or more tickets in Final Determination status, or b) two or more violations in Final Determination status that are at least a year old. The motorist must either a) pay all fines, penalties, and fees or b) contest the validity of the Notice of Seizure at an in-person hearing within 21 days of the Notice of Seizure. If the motorist fails to pay or contest, the vehicle is subject to be seized (“booted”).

Hardship

Hardship payment plans are available in-person for motorists with a documented hardship (see qualifications below). A motorist with a documented hardship who has been booted or whose driver's license has been suspended can enter into a payment plan with a down payment of 25% of the amount due for outstanding violations (plus payment in full of outstanding fees).

Motorists who meet at least one of the following qualifications are eligible for a hardship payment plan:

  • Student (currently attending high school, college, trade or vocational school) with a valid student ID card;
  • Senior citizen (65 and older);
  • Active military (including reservists and national guard);
  • Recently inactive military (discharged from the military in the last 180 days);
  • Foreclosure (received a notice of foreclosure, entered into a consent foreclosure, gave a deed in lieu of foreclosure, or had a judgment of foreclosure entered on primary residence within last three years);
  • Bankruptcy (liability for fines and penalties remain after obtaining a bankruptcy discharge);
  • Claimed Earned Income Tax Credit (on state or federal individual income tax return for the most recent tax year); or
  • Participate in any of the following programs:

• Government Issued Unemployment Compensation

• Low income home energy assistance program (LIHEAP)

• Federal Public Housing/ Section 8

• Food Stamps

• Medicaid or Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

• Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program administered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Program information available on-line at www.hhs.gov;

• Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Program information available on-line at www.usda.gov;

• Worker’s compensation income benefits. Program information available on-line at www.iwcc.il.gov.

 

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