CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- The city is giving its residents a second chance in repaying city stickers — by canceling the debt.
Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot and City Clerk Anna M. Valencia announced new efforts by the City, offering residents a fresh start on City Stickers and related fees. The two-step program will give residents the opportunity to purchase a city sticker with no late fees or back charges, and then will offer an opportunity for those in compliance by Oct. 31 to have their city sticker tickets forgiven later on.
“Today marks a fresh start and a historic first step for Chicago residents who have struggled to get from underneath the grip of crushing ticket debt,” said Mayor Lightfoot. “These reforms we are announcing in partnership with the Clerk Valencia offer more pathways to compliance, provide much needed ticket debt relief and builds on our investment in the overall economic health of our residents.”
After October’s amnesty month ends, phase two of the reforms will begin Nov. 15 through Dec. 15. Residents can apply for the opportunity to have at least three city sticker tickets forgiven by going to the city website.
“Thanks to the tremendous work being done by Mayor Lightfoot, Clerk Valencia, the City Council and our steadfast advocates, Chicago is working to change the broken ticketing system and to offer new opportunities to get out of debt for thousands of Chicago residents,” said Alderman Michael Scott, 24th Ward. “We have begun to turn the corner on regressive laws by bringing comprehensive reforms and ensuring equity across our neighborhoods."
The program and other debt relief are made possible by landmark legislation passed by the City Council in September. These reforms were developed with input from the Fines, Fees & Access Collaborative, formed by Valencia in 2018.
“When it comes to the regressive fines and fees that have impacted low-income residents the most, many feel like the deck is stacked against them,” said Alderman Scott Waguespack, 32nd Ward. “By creating a pathway to come into compliance and clearing out some of the old debt that may have been holding people back, we are giving our residents a second chance. We encourage all residents to seize this opportunity in October to purchase a City Sticker penalty-free, and to take advantage of a fresh start.”