The Traffic Division in the 1st Municipal District handles traffic tickets within the boundaries of the City of Chicago. This Division is responsible for maintaining records and collecting fees/fines for all cases involving City of Chicago moving violations. All cases related to parking tickets are not heard by the Traffic Division. Parking tickets within the city limits are heard by City of Chicago Administrative Hearing Officer. The Traffic Division cases are heard in accordance with Illinois Supreme Court Rules and Illinois Compiled Statues. See the web pages for suburban Districts 2-6 for information on traffic tickets issued outside the city limits of Chicago.
Traffic Division Case Files
Traffic/1st Municipal District files are divided into two categories: major and minor cases. A minor case is an offense punishable by a fine.
Major files include the following offenses:
- Unlawful use of license or permit
- Driving while license or permit is suspended or revoked
- Driving commercial vehicles while license suspended, revoked, cancelled or out of service
- Eluding or fleeing police
- Driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs, intoxicating compounds
- Reckless driving
- Street Racing
- Speeding 26 miles or more
Minor files include the following offenses:
- Failure to stop at stop sign
- Disobey solid red signal
- Failure to wear seat belt
- No valid state registration
- Operating uninsured vehicle
- Failure to produce driver’s license
- Speeding 1-25 miles over the posted limit
- Speeding 1-25 miles over in a construction zone
- Speeding 1-25 miles over in a school zone
Please refer to the Illinois Vehicle Code 625 ILCS 5/ for additional offenses not listed.
Frequently Asked Questions
You may visit the Criminal Department, Room 1006, or the Traffic Division located in the lower level of the Richard J. Daley Center and request an expungement package. It will contain information regarding the requirements and qualifications needed for tickets to be expunged.
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 refer to the following: Circuit Court of Cook County Traffic Court Information or Illinois Vehicle Code 625 ILCS 5/.
The driver's license will be returned when the case has been disposed of or if there is a judge's order to return the license.
You should contact the Traffic Division's Telephone Center at 312-603-2000 or 312-603-2945 for further information. Since each individual case may be different, you will be transferred to the appropriate area in Traffic for the best response(s). In addition, you may visit Traffic's Special Services Department located in the lower level of the Richard J. Daley Center, 50 West Washington St., Chicago, IL 60602 to speak directly with Traffic's counter personnel.