Citations issued for violations of City of Crystal Lake parking ordinances may be contested. The citations are contested through a hearing process called "Administrative Adjudication" and may completed online, in writing, or in person. An Administrative Law Judge evaluates your statement and any evidence you submit to contest the citation in order to make a determination as to the validity of the citation. 

Contest Parking Violation In Writing

When you contest a parking citation in writing, you are waiving your right to an in-person hearing. You will be notified of the Administrative Law Judge’s decision by mail.

  • Complete and print the parking ticket contest form.
  • Write clearly and provide all of the requested information.
  • In the Statement/Testimony section, concisely explain why you believe the ticket was issued in error.

Contest Parking Violation in Person

Send the ticket back in the provided envelope and mark the envelope with an "X" next to "Request for Personal Appearance Hearing" or call the Administrative Adjudication Office. 

Failure to Appear at a Scheduled Hearing

If you have a valid reason for not appearing at your scheduled hearing date, you may provide a written petition within 14 days of the original hearing date to request a new hearing date. Mail or deliver the petition to the City of Crystal Lake, Administrative Adjudication Division, 100 W. Woodstock Street, Crystal Lake, Illinois 60014.

Valid reasons for not appearing at your scheduled hearing may include:

  1. A serious illness or accident involving the defendant, a close family member, or the defendant's domestic partner.
  2. A death involving the defendant, a close family member, or the defendant's domestic partner.
  3. A verifiable emergency involving the defendant, a close family member, or the defendant's domestic partner.
  4. The defendant was out of the state or country from the period the violation was issued until and including the date of the Administrative Hearing.
  5. The defendant was prevented from having knowledge of the violation from the period of issuance until and including the date of Administrative Hearing due to incarceration, hospitalization, or being otherwise institutionalized.

The Administrative Adjudication Division will send a letter advising you of your new hearing date, if warranted, or if the Administrative Law Judge’s Determination of Liability will stand.

Failure to respond to the Final Determination letters can ultimately result in collection activity, vehicle immobilization, and driver’s license suspension.