Cook County Clerk of the Circuit Court

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Case Types:	Moving vehicle violations within Chicago.
Dates:	Most Traffic Division cases are retained for five years and then destroyed pursuant to statute and other cases are held for a longer period of time.

Title:

Files in the 1st Municipal Traffic are separated into two categories:

Content:

1. Minor Files contain tickets that have attached item posted as:

• Bond , Attorney appearance , Motion , if filed, Verdict , if a jury trial, Transcript , if appealed.

2. Major Files are file jackets that contain the:

• Ticket(s), Summary Suspension Notification and Confirmation , if a DUI, Attorney appearance , Motion , if filed, Verdict , if a jury trial, Transcript , if appealed.

Circuit Court of Cook County Traffic Court Information

Illinois Vehicle Code – 625 ILCS 5/

Illinois Supreme Court Rules

Circuit Court Rules and Orders

Criminal and Traffic Expungement Guidelines and Forms

Criminal and Traffic Sealing Guidelines and Forms

Circuit Court of Cook County – An Informational Guide

Clerk of the Circuit Court Traffic Division Forms

Clerk of the Circuit Court General Forms

Expungement and Sealing and Identity Theft Information

Additional information can be found at the Illinois Secretary of State’s Website and the Administrative Office of Illinois Courts website.

Information on parking and other non-moving violation offenses can be found at the City of Chicago’s website.

Additional ticket information or accident information can be found at Chicago Police Department.

For additional assistance to people representing themselves (pro se litigants), please visit the Clerk of Circuit Court Self Represented (Pro Se) Resources page.

1) Filing a Motion and Quashing a Warrant

2) Criminal and Traffic Laws to Clear Your Record

3) Criminal and Traffic Expungement Guidelines and Forms

4) New Criminal and Traffic Sealing Guidelines and Forms

5) New Identify Theft/Factual Innocence Guidelines and Forms

1. Filing a Motion and Quashing a Warrant:

A defendant appears at the court location where the ticket is issued and gives necessary information to the Traffic clerk. The motion counter clerk distributes motion petitions and provides instructions on how to complete the petitions as well as the time and location of the hearing. Motions are filed in person beginning at 8:00 a.m. on a first come, first serve basis. The first 60 people are scheduled for the 10 a.m. motion call.

The following is a list of motions that may be filed:

• Vacate a final order

• Vacate ex parte judgment

• Vacate a failure to appear

• Vacate a bond forfeiture judgment

• Vacate a bond forfeiture warrant

• Advance a case

After the motion petition is filled out, the file is pulled and taken to the cashier for the filing fee payment. The list of fees is available in the Illinois Compiled Statute, 705 ILCS 105/27.2a (W).

2. Criminal and Traffic Laws to Clear Your Record

Beginning January 1, 2004, Illinois law was amended to permit people with qualifying arrests, felonies, misdemeanor supervisions and misdemeanor convictions to ask the court to either expunge or seal the records related to their cases. The law is designed to let people clear their records with or without an attorney. On this page and the associated links, the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County provides helpful information to assist customers in clearing their records.

3. Criminal and Traffic Expungement Guidelines and Forms

Under specific circumstances, Illinois law allows felony, misdemeanor, or municipal ordinance violation records in Criminal and Traffic cases to be expunged or sealed. If you qualify, your records will either be expunged or expunged and sealed by law enforcement agencies, and will be sealed by the Clerk's Office. "Expunged" records are destroyed. "Sealed" records are closed and restricted from public access, but are not destroyed. For more information on your eligibility and the process, including the necessary forms, please click here . If you are not eligible for expungement of your records, please check to see if you are eligible for sealing of your records under the "New Criminal and Traffic Sealing Guidelines and Forms" link, below.

4. New Criminal and Traffic Sealing Guidelines and Forms

Beginning January 1, 2004, Illinois law permits a person to have his or her records in certain misdemeanor or municipal ordinance violations in Criminal and Traffic cases to be sealed. Sealed records are closed and restricted from public access, but are not destroyed. For more information on your eligibility and the process, including the necessary forms, please click here .

5. New Identity Theft/Factual Innocence Guidelines and Forms

Beginning January 1, 2004, if someone has falsely identified himself or herself using your identity during his/her arrest or conviction, Illinois law allows for you to clear your name from these records. For more information on this process, including the necessary forms, please click here .

For additional information on expungement, sealing, and identity theft, please visit the " Expungement " page of Illinois' State Appellate Defender's website .

The Traffic Division for the First Municipal District handles traffic tickets within the city limits of Chicago (See the suburban district web page for information on Cook County tickets issued outside the city limits of Chicago).

· The Division is responsible for the maintaining records and the collecting fees and fines for all cases involving City of Chicago moving violations.
· The Division DOES NOT hear matters relating to parking tickets or other non-moving violation tickets.
· The District 1 Traffic Division handles 750,000 cases on average annually.

The Division hears cases in accordance with Illinois Supreme Court Rules and Illinois Compiled Statutes.

CCG-0603A & CCG-603B , Effective 1/3/2006 (705 ILCS 105/27.2(a))

Municipality Fees (705 ILCS 105/27.2)

Court Forms

Each of the Divisions provides access to official court forms. There are several ways to obtain the forms. In the office, forms are also available from staff at each of the Division’s public service counters. The public can also access court forms on this website.

File Expungement, Sealing and Identity Theft Petitions

These petitions may be filed if any of the cases contained in the petition is a 1st District Traffic matter.

Issuing Subpoenas

It is the policy of the Office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court to issue subpoenas in any Division or District. Therefore, a customer visiting the Traffic Division may have a subpoena issued for a case pending in another Division or District.

File documents for Traffic cases pending in Districts 1-6

The 1st Municipal Traffic Division will file any no-fee documents on Traffic Division cases pending in Districts 1 through 6.

1) What should I do if I receive a Traffic Ticket?

2) Where can I call to obtain information regarding my ticket?

3) Can I post a cash bond for my driver's license?

4) I sent in a check to pay my fine(s), when should I expect to have my drivers license returned?

5) I missed my response date, what do I do?

1) What should I do if I receive a Traffic Ticket?
The bottom right corner of your ticket will indicate whether or not a court appearance is required. A ticket marked "YOU MUST MAIL - NO COURT APPEARANCE IS REQUIRED" is issued for a violation that does not require a court appearance and is punishable by a fine only. Follow the instructions on the back of the ticket, choosing one of the three listed options:
* Option A: Plead guilty, pay the fine and receive a conviction on your driving record.
* Option B: Plead guilty, pay the fine, attend Traffic Safety School and avoid a conviction on your driving record.
* Option C: Plead not guilty and request a court date.

If the ticket is marked "YOU MUST APPEAR," note the courtroom, date and time listed. You or your attorney must appear in court at this time. There are no automatic continuances, and court dates and times cannot be changed over the phone.

For additional information on Traffic questions, please visit the following: Circuit Court of Cook County Traffic Court Information or Illinois Vehicle Code � 625 ILCS 5/.

2)      Where can I call to obtain information regarding my ticket?
We request that if you know the courthouse location where ticket was issued please call the particular location. If you do not know the ticket number or location, you may call any Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County district(s) and have them search for a ticket number by giving your last name, first name, and date of birth or driver's license number. Please have this information ready when you call. For information on your case if your ticket issued in Chicago please call (312) 603-2000.

3)      Can I post a cash bond for my driver's license?
You can post a cash bond pursuant to Supreme Court rules prior to your court date. Please be aware of the following:
* The amount of the bond is set by Supreme Court Rule 526
* Bonds can be posted only in cash. It cannot be replaced with any other sureties.
* Checks and money orders are not accepted.
* Bond must be posted at the Clerk's Office where your ticket is pending.
Exception: You may not post cash bond and receive your driver's license, if you are charged with any of the following offenses:
* Speeding 40 or more miles over the posted speed limit
* Fleeing or attempting to elude police officer
* Leaving the scene of an accident involving death or injury
* Driving under the influence (DUI)
* Drag racing
* Reckless driving
* Suspended driver's license

4)      I sent in a check to pay my fine(s), when should I expect to have my drivers license returned?
Your driver's license will be returned once your check is received and processed. This process takes approximately seven to ten working days.

5)      I missed my response date, what do I do?
If a person ignores the ticket or fails to appear in court, the Judge may enter an ex parte judgment of conviction and assess a fine against that person in the amount set by Illinois Supreme Court Rules. If a person fails to pay the fine he or she will not be allowed to renew his or her driver's license until the fine is paid. Ex parte judgments can be vacated by filing a motion in person or via attorney with the Clerk's Office and by paying a non-refundable motion to vacate ex parte fee. For motion fee amounts please read 705 ILCS 105/27.2a(W).

Title:	Court Forms
Content:	Each of the Divisions provides access to official court forms. There are several ways to obtain the forms. In the office, forms are also available from staff at each of the Division’s public service counters. The public can also access court forms on this website.