You can pay Chicago parking tickets online at chicago.gov/parking, the City of Chicago Department of Finance’s payment portal, which handles parking, red light camera, and speed camera citations around the clock.1City of Chicago. Parking, Red Light, or Speed Ticket(s) Look up your ticket, enter a card, and you’re done in a few minutes. The timing matters more than the process: late penalties can nearly double what you owe, and three unpaid tickets are enough to put your car on the boot list.
Paying Online Step by Step
Open chicago.gov/parking, which redirects to the Department of Finance payment system.2City of Chicago. Pay, Check Status or Search for Parking, Red Light and Automated Speed Enforcement Tickets Search for your ticket using any one of three identifiers: the license plate number, the driver’s license number, or the 10-digit ticket number printed on the citation.3City of Chicago. Citation Administration (Vehicle)
When your tickets appear, select the ones you want to pay and enter your credit or debit card information. All major cards are accepted.1City of Chicago. Parking, Red Light, or Speed Ticket(s) Save the confirmation number the system generates. Your card is charged right away, but the city’s records usually take three to five business days to show the ticket as paid.
Think About Contesting Before You Pay
Paying is final. A payment counts as a final disposition of the violation, and you cannot contest a ticket after you’ve paid it.4City of Chicago. eHearing Web – City of Chicago Parking If you think the ticket was issued in error, challenge it first.
You have seven days from the issue date to file an online contest at parkingtickets.chicago.gov, using the 10-digit ticket number.5City of Chicago. eHearing Web – Frequently Asked Questions That window is short, so act as soon as you spot a ticket on your windshield.
What Happens If You Pay Late
If the city doesn’t receive payment by the date printed on the ticket, a late penalty is added equal to the lesser of the original fine or $250 minus the original fine.6City of Chicago. Consolidated Notice (Parking, Red Light and Speed Camera) Most tickets end up close to the $250 ceiling Illinois law sets for a single parking violation.7Justia Law. Illinois Code 625 ILCS 5/11-208.3
If a ticket stays unpaid long enough, it goes to a collection agency, which adds a 22% collection fee.8City of Chicago. Frequently Asked Questions – Parking Ticket Payment Plan Unpaid tickets can also trigger a hold on your vehicle registration that blocks renewal until you clear the balance.
When Your Car Can Be Booted
Your vehicle becomes eligible for the boot if you have three or more unpaid tickets in final determination status, regardless of age, or two unpaid tickets in final determination status that are each more than a year old. Parking, red light camera, and speed camera tickets all count toward those thresholds.9City of Chicago 311. Booted Vehicle Information
Once your car is booted, you owe a $100 boot fee on top of every outstanding ticket. Trucks, semi-trailers, and trailers pay $400.9City of Chicago 311. Booted Vehicle Information A booted vehicle that isn’t resolved can be towed and impounded, with storage fees for every day it sits. Some payment plan options are also off the table once a vehicle has been booted or impounded.10City of Chicago. Installment Payment Plans and Traffic Enforcement Practices Rules
Payment Plans If You Can’t Pay in Full
The Department of Finance runs installment plans that let you spread the balance over time and keep your car off the boot list. Which plan you qualify for depends on where your tickets sit in the enforcement process.11City of Chicago. Payment Plan Options for Parking, Red Light Camera and Automated Speed Camera Violations
- The early payment plan is for tickets still in violation or determination status. You get up to 24 months to pay with as little as $25 down, and tickets on the plan don’t incur late penalties or count toward the boot list while you stay current.10City of Chicago. Installment Payment Plans and Traffic Enforcement Practices Rules
- The standard payment plan is for tickets already in final determination or seizure status. You get up to 24 months, or up to 60 with a demonstrated financial hardship, again with $25 down. Enrolling waives the 22% collection fee.11City of Chicago. Payment Plan Options for Parking, Red Light Camera and Automated Speed Camera Violations
To enroll online you need your driver’s license number, license plate number, and an active email address.11City of Chicago. Payment Plan Options for Parking, Red Light Camera and Automated Speed Camera Violations
Paying by Mail or in Person
If you’d rather not pay online, two alternatives exist. By mail, send a check or money order payable to the City of Chicago Department of Finance to P.O. Box 6289, Chicago, IL 60680-6289, with the ticket stub enclosed; if you don’t have the stub, write the citation and plate numbers on the check. Don’t send cash.12City of Chicago. Payment Options
In person, you can pay at four city payment centers: City Hall at 121 N. LaSalle (Room 107), 2550 W. Addison on the North Side, 2006 E. 95th St. on the South Side, and 4770 S. Kedzie Ave. on the Southwest Side.12City of Chicago. Payment Options Whatever method you use, paying by the due date on the ticket is what saves you money. Every day after that brings you closer to doubled fines, collection fees, and a boot.