The City of Chicago is “cheating” me out of my hard-earned money

 

The City of Chicago’s Department of Finance  is forcing me to pay money I do not owe

 

By Juanita Bratcher

It’s enough to pay a bill for something you owe – of course that is not looked upon as a problem being that you are obligated in some way to pay it, whether through contract obligations, service provided, etc. But it is wrong and unfair to be forced to pay a bill for something that you know is not owed and you are being threatened to pay up or face the seizure of your car. That’s a bit hard to swallow!

I received a letter from the City of Chicago concerning two parking altercations – one for a red light violation, which never happened – and a method which has drawn much criticism from drivers over the years; and another one that was ticketed, they say, for a parking violation. The car was in a valid parking space.

The Letter, which was received in the mail yesterday (7/8/13) noted at the top of the page “Vehicle Seizure Notice”, City of Chicago Department of Finance, “Reflects payments as of 6/29/13”, listed a fee of $390.40. This amount of money for supposedly two traffic altercations that never happened. Can you imagine that? I can’t.

In my many years of driving I’ve maintained an excellent driving record – no driving infractions. And that record remains intact as of now. Further, as a cautious driving “old lady” there’s no way I would run a red light and park in a location that was illegal. I’m sure there are other drivers that adhere to that same policy.

However, I admit that I didn’t meet my responsibility in the matter. When I realized that the tickets were there (and I thought it was the same one being sent again, and not for two alleged altercations), I had missed the deadline to go in for a hearing and challenge what was being stated in the letter. Nonetheless, I realize why the date eluded me – when you’re concentrating your attention mostly on the health needs of a close family member who had two strokes and several seizures, some other things go unnoticed. Maybe if the altercations had been challenged in the beginning, circumstances would have been different.

I’m aware that this article is personal in nature. And I know it will not stop me from paying money to the City of Chicago that I do not owe. But it’s not a good feeling to know that there’s only one alternative in a situation like this – pay for something regardless of whether it is actually owed or not to get it behind you. The city is ready to seize my car worth thousands of dollars for a $390.40 fee I do not owe – regardless of my innocence in the matter.