Worried about doing this on your own? You may be able to get free legal help.
Part of the Drivers' rights library, sponsored by Reed Smith.
When a parking ticket is issued for a traffic violation, the violation goes to the owner of that vehicle, not the actual driver. A parking ticket violation is not a crime and can only be punished…
Getting rid of City of Chicago parking tickets in bankruptcy Print this to take with you Share this page to social media channels QUICK EXITInternet usage can be tracked. Use this to leave this site immediately. Remember to clear your browser history to hide activity.
Help ILAO open opportunities for justiceIf you are having trouble paying your City of Chicago tickets, you may be able to file for bankruptcy to help get rid of them. A program called “Fresh Start” began on January 1, 2019. It allows some people with Chicago tickets to get them forgiven. This article explains the program and how to participate.
Note: Bankruptcy is a serious decision and can have drastic consequences. Always talk to a lawyer before filing. There is a bankruptcy help desk in Room 625 of the Dirksen Building, 219 South Dearborn Street, Chicago, IL, open Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays beginning at 9:00am. The lawyers there can give you brief advice about your case, but they cannot represent you or fill out forms for you.
It is a way for people with unpaid tickets from the City of Chicago to have a portion of them forgiven. To qualify, you must file for chapter 7 bankruptcy . You will then be eligible to apply for the program with the city of Chicago. Upon application, the city will offer you a payment plan that you must agree to. The payment plan will include all tickets less than 3 years old, without any late fees, penalties, or costs. When you complete the plan, you can have the following tickets forgiven if they are more than 3 years old:
The penalties, fees, and costs, on any tickets less than 3 years old will also be forgiven.
Each payment plan is different. It will depend on the amount you owe. You will have to work with the City of Chicago to determine your plan. The plan can be as long as 5 years, or you may not have to have any payment plan at all. Here is are some examples of what your monthly payment and number of months may look like:
| Total plan debt | Monthly payment plan | Number of months |
| $900 or less | $25 | Up to 36 months |
| $901 to $3,600 | 1/36th total plan debt | 36 months |
| $3,601 to $6,000 | $100 | up to 60 months |
| $6,001 or more | 1/60th total plan debt | 60 months |
Yes. If you had your car impounded because of unpaid tickets, you can use this program as a way to get it back. However, you will have to pay an additional fee of $1,000. You will also have to pay 25% of your “fresh start” plan as a down payment if any of the following is true:
Yes, but only in chapter 13 . Chapter 13 is more difficult than chapter 7 because you have to agree to a payment plan for all of your debts. The “Fresh Start” program allows you to get rid of your tickets as part of a chapter 7, which does not require an overall payment plan on all of your debts. You do, however, have to agree to a payment plan with the City of Chicago.
The city prefers that you get the payment plan terms via email. Send an email to [email protected] . Include in the email your:
If your car has been booted or impounded, state this in the email. Also state the reason for the impoundment. The City will then respond with proposed “fresh start” plan terms.
You can also enroll in person. Go to the payment center at 400 West Superior Street, Chicago, IL. Bring the same information listed above. The City will send you proposed payment plan terms in the mail. They will not have them ready on the same day you walk in.
Decide whether bankruptcy is the right decision for you. Talk to a lawyer first if possible. If you decide it is the right decision, file your bankruptcy petition.
Once you have your payment plan terms, and have filed your bankruptcy petition, you can enroll in the program. Bring the following to the payment center at 400 West Superior Street, Chicago, IL:
You will then sign a contract with the city laying out the payment plan terms. You will need to make your first payment and any down payment for release of a vehicle. They accept cash, cashier’s check, or money order (from the USPS only). All subsequent monthly payments must be made payable to the “City of Chicago” and mailed or delivered to:
Arnold Scott Harris, P.C.
111 W. Jackson, Blvd., Ste. 600
Chicago, IL 60604
Yes, but you must first convert your Chapter 13 to a Chapter 7. It is recommended that you talk to a lawyer before making a decision on whether to convert your case to a Chapter 7.