This information is for those who received Court Diversion eligible traffic tickets.
Please use the processes noted below while our online ePlea/ePay system is under maintenance.
What is Court Diversion?
Court Diversion for traffic tickets allows you to resolve your violation without a court appearance.
Am I eligible for Court Diversion?
The bottom right corner of your ticket will indicate whether or not a court appearance is required. A ticket marked "YOU MUST MAIL - NO COURT APPEARANCE IS REQUIRED" is issued for a violation that does not require a court appearance and is remedied by a fine only.
NOTE: If the ticket is marked "YOU MUST APPEAR," you are not eligible for Court Diversion and must appear. Note the courtroom, date, and time listed on your ticket. You or your attorney must appear in court at this time. There are no automatic continuances, and court dates and times cannot be changed over the phone.
For additional information on Traffic questions, please refer to the following: Circuit Court of Cook County Traffic Court Information or Illinois Vehicle Code 625 ILCS 5/.
How can I resolve my ticket through Court Diversion?
If you are eligible for Court Diversion, you may choose one of the three listed options:
Option A: Plead guilty, pay the fine and receive a conviction on your driving record.
Pay your fine (see instructions below) and then contact the Court Location (see contact information below) to provide your confirmation number, payment receipt information so that your case can be updated.
Option B: Plead guilty, pay the fine, attend Traffic Safety School and avoid a conviction on your driving record.
Pay your fine (see instructions below) and then contact the Court Location (see contact information below) to provide your confirmation number, payment receipt information and email address and/or phone number (as a contact for course enrollment) so that your case can be updated. You will then be contacted by the Traffic Safety School to coordinate enrolling for your course.
Note: If you are not eligible for Traffic Safety School or you fail to complete the course successfully, a conviction will be reported to the Illinois Secretary of State and YOUR FEE WILL NOT BE REFUNDED.
Option C: Plead not guilty and request a court date.
Contact the Court Location associated with your ticket (see contact information below) and tell them that you are eligible for Court Diversion on your traffic ticket and wish to request a court date. You will be issued a court date and will need to attend the provided location at the stated date/time.
NOTE: It can take up to twenty-one (21) days for a ticket to be received from the police agency and entered into the Clerk's system. Your ticket may not be immediately available with the Clerk after you receive your ticket, so you may need to contact the Clerk's office again at a later time if your ticket is not yet available.
Pay Your Fines or Fees
If you are needing to pay a fine or fee, you may pay:
- in person at one of the Court Locations (see below)
- by mail (as noted on your ticket)
- pay online using our Online Payment site to process the payment through Lexis Nexis/Vital Check - credit or debit card payments are accepted.
If paying online, you will need:- the Court Location/District for your ticket (see below for information on Court Locations)
- the ticket or case number
- the exact amount to pay as noted on your ticket
Where can I find my complaint/citation/ticket number?
It is your responsibility to pay your ticket on time.
Online Traffic Payment Locations and Fee Types
When paying online, be sure to select the correct payment location option for your ticket and location. The following are the correct options for Court Diversion fines and fees for our Online Payment portal:
- District 1 (Chicago) - Traffic Daley LL - Fees (5753)
- District 2 - Skokie - Traffic Fees (5757)
- District 3 - Rolling Meadows - Traffic Fees (5758)
- District 4 - Maywood - Traffic Fees/Costs (5766)
- District 5 - Bridgeview - Traffic Fees/Cost (5760)
- District 6 - Markham - Traffic Fees/Costs (5761)
Contact the Court Location for your Ticket
After you have paid your fines/fees or if you are requesting a hearing, contact the related Court Location for your ticket.
City of Chicago Tickets (any tickets issued within the city of Chicago limits) - contact District 1 Traffic Division: Traffic Division | Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County (cookcountyclerkofcourt.org)
Suburban Tickets - contact the corresponding Suburban District for your ticket: Suburban Districts | Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County (cookcountyclerkofcourt.org)
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