In Chicago, 35% of contested red-light camera tickets were dismissed between 2024-01-01 and 2024-12-31, per the TossMyTicket Outcomes Index (n=8,141 hearings, source: published city report).
| Fine | $100 |
|---|---|
| Deadline to contest | 7 days from issuance, then 21 days from the mailed notice |
| Legal citation | MCC 9-102-020 |
| Decided by | Dept. of Administrative Hearings — Vehicle Hearings Division (ALJs) |
For camera tickets, MCC 9-100-060(b) recognizes entering the intersection to yield right-of-way to an emergency vehicle, or traveling as part of a funeral procession, as grounds for dismissal.
Evidence: Statement of the circumstances; Any dashcam or witness corroboration; Funeral procession documentation.
A statutory ground under MCC 9-100-060: the cited vehicle or its state registration plates were stolen before the violation occurred.
Evidence: Police report showing theft date; Insurance claim.
Under MCC 9-100-060, a violation must be dismissed if the respondent was not the owner or lessee of the cited vehicle when the ticket was issued — for example, the vehicle had been sold or the lease had ended.
Evidence: Bill of sale or title transfer; Lease termination paperwork; IL SOS transfer confirmation.
A statutory ground under MCC 9-100-060: the facts alleged on the violation notice are inconsistent or do not support a finding that the regulation was violated — wrong plate, wrong location, wrong regulation, or internally contradictory details.
Evidence: The ticket itself; Photos showing the actual location/vehicle details; Registration showing correct plate/make.
At a 35% baseline dismissal rate, a red-light camera ticket in Chicago is worth fighting mainly when a specific defense applies — yielding to an emergency vehicle or in a funeral procession, or vehicle or plates stolen at the time, or not the owner or lessee at the time are the strongest grounds here. Without one, most contests lose. Scan your ticket and we'll tell you which side you're on.
You have 7 days from the date the ticket is issued to contest a red-light camera ticket in Chicago, with a second window of 21 days after the mailed notice. Missing the window triggers late penalties.
Yes. Chicago accepts disputes online, in person, by written statement. The decision is made by Dept. of Administrative Hearings — Vehicle Hearings Division (ALJs).
Default Notice of Determination; set-aside within 21 days in person; late penalty typically doubles the fine; IL cap $250 total per parking ticket
35% of contested red-light camera tickets in Chicago were dismissed (2024-01-01 to 2024-12-31, n=8,141). The odds improve substantially when a specific defense applies, such as yielding to an emergency vehicle or in a funeral procession or vehicle or plates stolen at the time or not the owner or lessee at the time. Outcomes are never guaranteed.
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TossMyTicket is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. Self-help tools only. Outcomes are never guaranteed.
Facts on this page come from official sources, verified 2026-07-28: