I recently moved to Chicago, IL from Southern California. I consider myself a law abiding citizen. But in the city of Chicago they don't make it seem that way. I have received 3 tickets between 08/11 and 09/05.
Ticket #1: Dated 08/11, I was parked downtown at a meter with time still on it, when I saw the meter maid writing me a ticket for an expired registration sticker. Granted my sticker was expired by 11 days, I had already cut a check to the city before the sticker was to expire and hadn't received my sticker yet. But the funds were withdrawn from my bank account, of course. When I got home, low and behold, the sticker came in the mail. I put the sticker on immediately after opening the letter. I am still contesting this ticket.
Ticket #2: Dated 09/05, I was parked in front of my own home when I noticed an orange thing on my windshield. A ticket? For what? For not having front or rear plates. But both are on my vehicle? How can they give you a ticket for something that doesn't exist? I am contesting that one still too.
Ticket #3: Dated 08/20 Yes we are going back in time. I didn't receive this one until 10/02. It is a duplicate of the first one, same location, but they changed the date and time. But the funny part is, one: my sticker is on my plates and two: I wasn't even downtown that day. This ticket was completely fabricated. Can they do this? I mean, I didn't ever receive the ticket, just the Notice of Determination. If I contested the first two, why wouldn't I contest that one? I have to go to a hearing to contest this one, and guess what? I AM!
In addition to all of this, neither me nor my fiance ever received a renewal notice for our city stickers. He ended up with a hefty ticket and both of us had to pay the late fees. Can they charge you for something they never sent you a renewal for? I guess so... It's just like the fabricated ticket.
Or how about my fiance? He has to pay the Board of Ethics every year as part of his job requirements. And every year he mails a check via standard USPS, and every year he gets a letter saying he has to pay a late fee because they never received his payment. He talked to his co-workers about it, and they had the same issue. I believe it to be more than a coincidence. His co-workers say they now send their check certified mail so they have proof that it was received. Real ethical!
I don't have a problem paying tickets that I asked for. If I run a stop sign, speed through a school zone, or park in front of a fire hydrant; I won't have a problem paying the ticket I deserved. But this is not fair.
Isn't this extortion? Something needs to be done to correct the corruption in this city. We are being coerced into paying fees that don't belong to us. Maybe a class action lawsuit? I know there are many other people that have had similar experiences, my fiance is included.
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