Refuse to pay City of Chicago Parking Ticket - what happens?

Question

I was visiting Chicago. I don't live in the state of Ill. I was appalled to get a $50 ticket while trying to figure out the inconvenient kiosk system. I have disputed it, but assume they will reject because its a tax they rely on.

What happens if I refuse to pay? I have no plans to live in Ill. I live in another State.

Can they hurt my credit rating?

Can they pull me over if I ever am driving in Chicago, one year later with 1 unpaid parking ticket?

Any other repercussions?

Is it true that the city gov is the most corrupt in the nation?

Thanks all!

Answer 1

if you refuse to pay the company that issues the ticket will go after you... once you have 2 unpaid they will boot your car .. if you come back to Chicago

Answer 2

City Of Chicago Parking Tickets

Answer 3

If you don't win the appeal (which most people actually do by the way), you will still be responsible to pay. They will eventually turn it over to collections, which will hurt your credit in the long run. The City is hurting for money right now so they will follow through on it, as my husband just teceived notices from a ticket back in 2000, they want their money. Not sure since you live out of state, but in Chicago with unpaid tickets that go to collections, they can suspend your license and boot any car registered under your name.



Good Luck, hopefully you win the appeal!

Answer 4

Nobody is going to come looking for you. A couple of possibilities: 1) If the state has a cooperation agreement with your local motor vehicle agency your local authorities can enforce the fine. I have a friend in California who got a ticket in Switzerland. He could not get his registration updated without paying off the Swiss speeding ticket. 2)On a rental car, the rental agency will be forced to pay (this is what happens with parking tickets) and they will charge the ticket to your credit card. This is what would happen to a local who did that--it shouldn't be any different for a foreigner. 3) When you sign a traffic ticket you are agreeing to pay the fine or appear in court. After you fail to appear, a warrant can be issued for your arrest. If you come back to the state and get stopped again, you will be arrested. Ultimately they'll let you go, but it will cost you a fair chunk of money, so don't blow off the ticket if you want to come back. It is a good idea for you to drive instead of your dad if you return. And no, the CIA has bigger problems than enforcing traffic fines.

Answer 5

If you go long enough they will report you to a credit agency and eventually they will report you to your secretary of state where you live and try to get your license plates suspended so you cant renew them. It sucks but the $50 now is better than what could occur in the future, wait for the appeal (cause sometimes they go through) and if it doesnt, just pay it. Yes our city government is EXTREMELY corrupt but the parking thing is actually a private company who owns all the street parking in the city after our corrupt mayor/city council sold them for 1.1 billion w/o asking the citizens first.



What did you appeal on? What part could you not figure out about the kiosk out of curiosity?

Answer 6

I've had two parking tickets outstanding since April and May of 2009. I lived there at the time, now I live in Michigan. Since leaving, I've sold my car and obtained a different license plate. I get a notice about once per quarter, sometimes longer as I move around fairly often.



They say that "failure to respond to this notice as requested may result in our garnishing of your wages and bank accounts, and filing a lien against your proerty. If his becomes necessary, our client reserves the right to seek interest, attorney's fees, and other collection costs."



Every time I get one of these, I throw it out. Seriously, **** Chicago and their bullshit city government.



That being said, I've grown quite a bit in the last 5 years... so I'm going to pay them. But they are going to be getting a hand-written check in the amount of 1% of what I owe, on a monthly basis.

Answer 7

Well Mayor Daley's dad had ties with the mob?

Answer 8

That is correct

Answer 9

**** this chicago bullshit

Answer 10

Loads of insightful answers, thanks