Fioretti to Unveil Parking Ticket Amnesty Ordinance at Wednesday Council Meeting

CHICAGO, IL – During Wednesday’s Chicago City Council meeting, Ald. Bob Fioretti will submit a parking ticket amnesty ordinance (see below).

“Let’s give people the opportunity to pay their tickets in a responsible way,” said Fioretti.  “This proposal would give people with tickets some flexibility and would put much needed revenue in the city coffers.  It is the responsible thing to do and I hope my colleagues and the mayor can join me in supporting this ordinance.”

O  R  D  I  N  A  N  C  E

WHEREAS, The City of Chicago is a home rule unit of government under Section 6(a), Article VII of the 1970 Constitution of the State of Illinois and, therefore, may pass legislation regulating matters that pertain to its municipal government and affairs; and

WHEREAS, In an effort to enforce collection of fines imposed on individuals who were adjudicated to be in violation of their vehicular traffic and parking laws, the city saw fit to double and triple these fines if they were not paid in a timely fashion; and

WHEREAS, It was determined that these penalties, while motivating some individuals to pay what was owed before the amount escalated, imposed an undue burden on many who might be willing and able to pay their original fines given the opportunity and the time to do so; and

WHEREAS, An amnesty program to provide relief from these accumulated penalties brought in more than  $7,000,000 when it was last granted almost a decade ago. It behooves this legislative body to extend such a program at this time, now therefore

BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY OF CHICAGO CITY COUNCIL:

SECTION 1. The above recitals are incorporated herein by reference and made the findings of the City Council.

SECTION 2. Beginning April 15, 2015, any person who owes the City $10,000 or less in unpaid fines and penalties for any final determinations of parking and/or compliance violations under Chapter 9 of the City of Chicago Municipal Code and pays to the City the amounts remaining due on any or all final determinations of liability shall not be required to pay more than the original amount of the fine relating to any final determination on any violation which occurred prior to April 15, 2014 and the city comptroller is hereby authorized and directed to waive any amount above the original fines relating to those violations that occurred prior to said date.

SECTION 2. In addition, the city comptroller is authorized and directed to allow all active-duty or veteran United States military personnel, senior citizens above the age of 65 and persons with a net income below the current poverty level as set by the United States Department of Health and Human Services for 2014 to enter into a monthly installment plan of up to 24 months after paying 25% of the amount due under the provisions of Section 1 of this ordinance regardless of a previous history of defaults prior to passage of this ordinance.

SECTION 3. All other persons shall be allowed to enter into a monthly payment plan of 12 equal installments after paying 50% of the amount due under the provisions of Section 1 of this ordinance provided they do not have a previous history of defaults prior to passage of this ordinance under conditions to be determined by the city comptroller.

SECTION 4. All provisions of this ordinance shall expire on December 31, 2017.

SECTION 5. This ordinance shall take effect upon its passage and publication.

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ROBERT W. FIORETTI

Alderman – 2^nd Ward