FAQs on Camera Violation Review Notice

January 20, 2017

Below is a frequently asked question guide to assist motorists in answering questions about recently mailed Camera Violation Review Notices.

  1. Why did I receive the Camera Violation Review Notice?

    Since you received a red light or speed camera violation between March 23, 2010 and May 10, 2015, and you did not contest the violation through the City's Administrative Hearing Process, the City is providing you an additional opportunity to challenge the violation under an ordinance passed in summer 2016. Please note that even if you paid the red light or speed camera violation you received, the City is still providing you with an opportunity to contest the violation.

    If you elect to contest your violation, the procedures for contesting are listed on the back of the Camera Violation Review Notice you received. They are also listed below.

    Under Illinois law and city ordinance, you may raise certain defenses to challenge your liability for a violation. These defenses are listed on the back of the Camera Violation Review Notice you received. They are also listed below.

  2. What do I do next?

    If more than one violation is listed on your Camera Violation Review Notice, please read the answer applicable to each individual violation:

    If I already PAID the fine and any applicable penalties for the violation, and I DO NOT WANT TO CONTEST the violation:

    You do not need to take any action. An additional notice will be sent to you, by mail, confirming that you did not contest the violation.

    If I already PAID the fine and any applicable penalties for the violation, and I DO WANT TO CONTEST the violation:

    You must follow the procedures set forth in the Camera Violation Review Notice mailed to you. These procedures are also listed below.

    If you successfully challenge the violation, you will receive a refund of the amount you paid for that violation and any prior penalties.

    If you are unsuccessful and previously paid the fines and penalties for the violation, you will not be charged any additional amount.

    If I have NOT PAID the fine and applicable penalties for the violation, and I DO NOT WANT TO CONTEST the violation:

    If you have not yet paid the fine and any applicable penalties for the violation, or have paid only a portion of the fine and penalties, and do not wish to challenge the violation, you do not need to take any action. An additional notice will be sent to you, by mail, confirming that you did not contest the violation and it remains subject to collections.

    The confirmation notice you will receive will explain if you are eligible to participate in a debt relief program, which may allow you to pay less than the full amount due, for a limited time, to resolve your unpaid liability. See below for more information.

    If I have NOT PAID the fines and penalties for the violation(s), and I DO WANT TO CONTEST the violation(s):

    You must follow the procedures set forth in the Camera Violation Review Notice mailed to you.

    These procedures are also listed below.

    If you successfully challenge the violation, your liability will be vacated.

    If you are unsuccessful, your liability will be confirmed.

    If you are unsuccessful in your challenge, you may be eligible to participate in a debt relief program, which would allow you to pay less than the full amount due, for a limited time, to resolve your unpaid liability. See below for more information.

  3. When is the deadline to respond?

    The City has extended the deadline from February 5, 2017 to February 19, 2017.

  4. What happens if I do nothing?

    The Camera Review Notice is being sent so you have an additional opportunity to contest your prior violation(s) if you wish to. You have no obligation to do so. If you do not contest the violation(s) listed in the Camera Review Notice and do not respond, you will receive an additional noticee, by mail, confirming that you did not contest the violation(s) and it remains subject to collections.

  5. How do I contest my violation(s)?

    If you would like to contest any of the violations listed on the Camera Violation Review Notice you received, whether or not you have previously paid the fine, you may contest each violation, individually, by requesting a written or in-person hearing.

    Online and in-person requests must be received by February 19, 2017. Mailed requests must be postmarked by February 19, 2017.

    TO REQUEST A WRITTEN HEARING

    • ONLINE: Visit www.cityofchicago.org/review and follow the instructions. You will be required to type in your statement of defense and upload any evidence you wish to be considered. A hearing decision will be mailed to you.
    • BY MAIL: Fill in the "Written Hearing" circle on the Camera Violation Review Notice and verify your name and address are correct. Sign the stub, and include in the envelope provided a statement setting forth facts that establish a defense. This statement must be signed by the registered owner or lessee. Enclose COPIES of any evidence you wish to be considered. Please include the ticket number on all supporting documents. Do not send original documents. Documents will not be returned. A hearing decision will be mailed to you.
    • IN PERSON DROP OFF: You may drop off your request in person by following all instructions applicable to request a written hearing by mail (listed above) and delivering the sealed envelope to the Department of Finance Payment Center in Room 107 of City Hall, 121 N. LaSalle Street, between 8 am and 5 pm Monday through Friday.

    TO REQUEST AN IN-PERSON HEARING

    • ONLINE: Visit www.cityofchicago.org/review and follow the instructions. You will be notified by mail of your hearing date. Please note, depending on the volume of requests received, you may not be notified of your in-person hearing date for several months.
    • BY MAIL: Fill in the "In-Person Hearing" circle and verify your name and address. Sign the stub. Mail in the envelope provided. You will be notified by mail of your hearing date. Please note, depending on the volume of requests received, you may not be notified of your in-person hearing date for several months.
    • IN PERSON DROP OFF: You may also drop off your request in person by following all instructions applicable to requests by mail and delivering the sealed envelope to the Department of Finance Payment Center in Room 107 of City Hall, 121 N. LaSalle Street, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Please note, depending on the volume of requests received, you may not be notified of your in-person hearing for several months.
  6. Who will review the violation challenges?

    All challenges are reviewed by independent administrative law judges, who will review the City's photo or video evidence (which you may review at http://www.cityofchicago.org/review) and any evidence or arguments you present, to determine if liability was properly imposed in your case.

    What defenses to the violation do I have?

    Under Illinois law and city ordinance, you may raise certain defenses to challenge your liability for a violation. These are listed on the back of the notice you received. Only the registered owner or lessee of the vehicle at the time of the violation may request a review to contest the violation(s).

  7. What defenses to the violation do I have?

    Under Illinois law and city ordinance, you may raise certain defenses to challenge your liability for a violation. These are listed on the back of the notice you received. Only the registered owner or lessee of the vehicle at the time of the violation may request a review to contest the violation(s).

    The Chicago Municipal Code provides the following grounds to contest the violation:

    For either a RED LIGHT VIOLATION or a SPEED VIOLATION:

    • The violation occurred at any time during which the vehicle or its state registration plates were reported to a law enforcement agency as having been stolen and the vehicle or its plates had not been recovered by the owner at the time of the alleged violation.
    • The vehicle was leased to another, and, within 60 days after the notice was mailed to the owner, the owner submitted to the Department of Finance the correct name and address of the lessee of the vehicle identified in the notice at the time of the violation.
    • The vehicle was an authorized emergency vehicle.
    • The respondent was not the registered owner or lessee of the cited vehicle at the time of the violation.

    For a RED LIGHT VIOLATION only:

    For a SPEED VIOLATION only:

    You should submit evidence to support any of the defenses you believe apply to your case. If you request an in-person hearing, you must appear in person for your hearing and must bring any evidence you wish to submit.

  8. Do I need to view the evidence before challenging my liability for a violation?

    No, but doing so may help you successfully challenge your liability.

    You may review your photo and/or video evidence at www.cityofchicago.org/review or you may call 312.744.7275 for assistance.

  9. What is the City's debt relief program?

    It is a program where the City will forgive unpaid fines and penalties imposed in connection with listed camera violations if the City receives full payment of the base fine amount within 30 days of the confirmation notice or final administrative decision. The City Council authorizes such programs periodically.

    If you are eligible to participate in this debt relief program, specific details will be included with the confirmation notice or administrative decision that is issued to you.

    Payments made prior to issuance of a confirmation notice are not eligible for debt relief.

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