Judge Rules Chicago Overcharged Residents
A Cook County judge has ruled that the City of Chicago overcharged residents for years on city vehicle stickers and parking tickets. The ruling addresses the legality of late fees and fines imposed by the city.
- The ruling by Cook County Judge William Sullivan found that for over a decade, the city systematically violated state law by imposing fines and penalties exceeding the $250 limit for a single ordinance violation. - This decision could require the city to refund an estimated $163 million to drivers who were overcharged. The case, which was filed as a class-action lawsuit, impacts over one million tickets issued over roughly a ten-year period. - The practice of increasing fines for vehicle sticker violations began around 2012 under Mayor Rahm Emanuel's administration as a way to generate revenue. The fine for not having a city sticker was increased from $120 to $200, which could quickly escalate with late fees. - An investigation by ProPublica and WBEZ revealed that the increased fines disproportionately affected residents in low-income, predominantly Black neighborhoods, leading to significant debt and even bankruptcy for some. - The lead plaintiff in the class-action lawsuit, Kyle Garchar, was charged $1,600 for four city sticker violations, which resulted in him losing his job as a rideshare driver. - The city has a history of similar legal challenges, including a $38.75 million settlement in 2017 over late fees for red light and speed camera tickets, a case also handled by attorney Jacie Zolna. - While a refund process has not yet been established, attorneys are advising affected drivers to retain any records of tickets and payments. The city is currently reviewing its legal options, which may include appealing the ruling.
