Getting a parking ticket can be an annoying and frustrating experience for drivers. While some parking tickets are easy to dismiss if you simply pay them right away, others can lead to more serious consequences if you ignore them. This is especially true for parking tickets received in Chicago, which has a reputation for being strict about collecting parking fine revenue from drivers.
If you’ve received a parking ticket in Chicago but are wondering if you can just not pay it, read on to learn more about what penalties you may face for unpaid Chicago parking tickets.
Will I be fined for not paying a Chicago parking ticket?
Yes, you will be fined if you do not pay a Chicago parking ticket. The fine for a standard parking violation in Chicago is $60. This fine amount increases the longer you wait to pay your ticket:
- After 21 days, the fine increases to $100
- After 42 days, the fine increases to $150
- After 126 days, the fine increases to $250
In addition to increasing fines, you will also be charged late penalties for unpaid Chicago parking tickets. The late fee is $20 after one missed payment deadline, and $50 after two or more missed payment deadlines.
What are the late payment deadlines for Chicago parking tickets?
Chicago parking tickets must be paid within specific timeframes. The payment deadlines are:
- 1st payment deadline: 21 days after ticket issuance
- 2nd payment deadline: 42 days after ticket issuance
- 3rd and final payment deadline: 126 days after ticket issuance
Missing any of these payment deadlines will result in late penalties being added to your unpaid ticket fines.
Can my car be booted or impounded for unpaid Chicago parking tickets?
Yes, failing to pay Chicago parking tickets can result in your car being booted or impounded. This can occur if you accumulate:
- 2 or more unpaid parking tickets more than a year past due
- 10 or more unpaid parking tickets of any age
If your car receives the Denver Boot in Chicago for unpaid parking tickets, you will be charged a $60 boot removal fee. The boot will not be removed until all overdue fines and fees are paid in full. If your boot fee and tickets remain unpaid after 14 days, your car may be impounded.
How much are the fees for a booted or impounded car in Chicago?
Below are the fees charged in Chicago for booting and impounding a vehicle due to unpaid parking tickets:
Fee Type | Cost |
---|---|
Boot removal fee | $60 |
Impound fee | $150-$250 |
Daily storage fees | $20 per day |
As you can see, the fees add up quickly when a car is impounded. You’ll also need to pay any overdue parking ticket fines and penalties before your car can be released back to you.
Can I be arrested for not paying Chicago parking tickets?
You cannot be arrested or sent to jail solely for not paying Chicago parking tickets. However, ignored tickets can still lead to serious legal consequences through other enforcement actions.
If you accumulate enough unpaid Chicago parking tickets, you may be sued by the city or a collection agency contracted by the city. If the court rules against you, your wages or bank account may be garnished to pay your ticket debt. Future tax refunds and lottery winnings can also be seized.
The state of Illinois may also suspend your driver’s license for unpaid Chicago parking tickets after a certain point. Typically, your license will be suspended if you rack up:
- 10 or more unpaid parking tickets
- $500 or more in unpaid parking fines
To get your license back after a parking ticket suspension, you’ll need to pay off your tickets or set up a payment plan with the city.
How many unpaid Chicago parking tickets lead to license suspension?
The state of Illinois will initiate driver’s license suspension procedures when a driver has:
# of Unpaid Tickets | Total Unpaid Fines |
---|---|
10 or more unpaid tickets | Any amount |
5-9 unpaid tickets | $500+ in unpaid fines |
As shown, just 10 ignored tickets is enough to put your driving privileges at risk in Illinois, even if the total ticket value is under $500.
Can unpaid parking tickets affect my credit?
Yes, unpaid parking tickets issued in Chicago can damage your credit history and score. Like other debts, Chicago parking ticket fines that are turned over to collections will show up on your credit report.
Each unpaid ticket is typically reported as a separate collection account. Multiple unpaid tickets could mean many negative items added to your credit history, dragging down your score.
How much your credit is impacted by unpaid Chicago parking tickets depends on factors like:
- Number of unpaid tickets
- Total debt amount
- Your current credit score
- Other items in your credit history
Those with otherwise good credit may only see small dips from a few unpaid tickets. But if you already have fair or poor credit, unpaid tickets could make it very difficult to qualify for financing or loans.
How long do unpaid parking tickets stay on your credit report?
Unpaid parking tickets and associated collection accounts can stay on your credit report for years. Here is how long they can remain:
Item | Stays on Credit Report For |
---|---|
Unpaid parking ticket debt | 7 years from first delinquency |
Paid parking ticket collection | 7 years from when debt was paid off |
As you can see, even after paying off your parking tickets, it may take nearly 7 more years for the collections accounts to be removed from your credit history.
Can Chicago parking ticket fines be reduced?
In some cases, yes – Chicago parking ticket fines and penalties can potentially be reduced or waived. There are a few ways you can seek fine reductions on Chicago parking tickets:
- Contest the ticket – You can dispute your ticket and request a fine reduction at your administrative hearing if you can prove the ticket was issued wrongly or unfairly.
- Request an early fine reduction – Chicago offers fine reductions for paying ticket fines quickly within 7-21 days of issuance.
- Payment plan – Setting up a payment plan may allow you to pay your fines over time with reduced penalties.
- Community service – Low-income individuals may exchange unpaid ticket fines for community service hours.
You’ll need to provide evidence to support early fine discounts or dismissals. Contesting a Chicago parking ticket or getting on a payment plan are the most reliable ways to attempt reducing fines you can’t pay in full.
How much are Chicago’s early fine discounts for parking tickets?
Chicago provides the following fine discounts for quickly paying parking ticket fines within 21 days or less:
Days After Ticket Issuance | Fine Reduction Percent |
---|---|
0-7 days | 50% off |
8-21 days | 25% off |
For example, paying a $60 ticket within 7 days would bring the fine down to $30. Paying it within 14-21 days would reduce it to $45. These discounts provide strong incentive to pay your Chicago parking tickets promptly.
Should I pay Chicago parking tickets I can’t afford?
In most cases, it is advisable to pay Chicago parking tickets as soon as possible, even if you can’t afford the full fine amounts. The penalties, fees, and enforcement actions that arise from unpaid tickets often end up costing much more than the original fine.
However, there are steps you can take if you truly can’t afford to pay a Chicago parking ticket:
- Request a hearing – Contesting your ticket may lead to reduced fines or dismissal if you argue your case well.
- Apply for a payment plan – Chicago allows payment plans to spread out fines over multiple months.
- Perform community service – Low-income individuals may exchange ticket debt for community service at $10 off per hour.
Ignoring Chicago parking tickets almost always leads to bigger problems down the road. Evaluate your options and take action quickly if you don’t have the funds to pay right away.
What are the requirements for Chicago’s ticket payment plan program?
To qualify for Chicago’s parking ticket payment plan program, you must:
- Owe $1,000 or less in ticket fines
- Pay 50% or more of the total fines upfront
- Agree to automatic monthly payments
- Provide income verification showing inability to pay in full
Payment plans allow fines to be paid over 3-12 months. Interest is charged but late penalties can be avoided. This can make large ticket debts more manageable.
Conclusion
Ignoring parking tickets in Chicago can lead to significant fines, penalties, and legal consequences over time. While it may be tempting to let that $60 ticket slide, doing so can result in much larger headaches when your car is booted, your license is suspended, or debt collection actions are pursued.
The moral of the story? Don’t brush off parking tickets you receive in Chicago. Take action right away to pay them, contest them, or get on an approved payment plan. This will help you avoid the worst outcomes of unpaid tickets, like huge fines, vehicle impoundment, license suspension, and credit damage.
Parking illegally may sometimes feel like a victimless crime. But in Chicago, failing to pay tickets can seriously hurt your finances, driving privileges, and quality of life down the road. Face parking fines promptly and responsibly to protect yourself from major consequences.
Now that you know what can happen if you never pay a Chicago parking ticket, make sure you handle any fines you incur appropriately. The short-term time and money invested to address tickets is worthwhile to avoid punishments that will ultimately cost you much more.
We all make parking mistakes from time to time. But don’t compound the problem by trying to get away without paying Chicago tickets. Take the right steps to resolve your fines, so you can put the ticket experience behind you and move forward.
Key Takeaways
- Chicago parking tickets must be paid within 21 days or fines increase, sometimes reaching $250+ for a single ticket.
- Cars can be booted or impounded after receiving just 2 unpaid tickets over a year old or 10 tickets of any age.
- License suspension is possible after accumulating 10 unpaid Chicago parking tickets or $500 in fines.
- Unpaid parking tickets get reported to credit bureaus and can severely damage your credit score.
- Contesting tickets, getting on payment plans, or performing community service are ways to address debt from tickets you can’t afford to pay in full.
- Promptly paying or contesting Chicago parking tickets is wise to avoid much more costly consequences down the road.