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1. What constitutes a Red Light Violation?

You have received a notice in the mail for failing to stop at a red light or for failing to come to a complete stop when making a legal right turn on red (Illinois Vehicle Code Section 11-306). 

As stated in the Illinois Rules of the Road Chapter 8 - Traffic Signals and Pavement Markings reads: "RED LIGHT, stop at the marked stop line. If there is not a marked stop line, stop before entering the crosswalk. If there is no crosswalk, stop before entering the intersection. Do not go until the light is green and the intersection is clear. You may make a right turn at a red light but drivers must come to a COMPLETE STOP and yield the right-of-way to oncoming traffic."

2. Will the violation impact my record?

Violation of the Ordinance Number 2007-ORD-7 constitutes a civil offense and does not impact your insurance or your driving record. 

However, if you have accumulated 5 unpaid or uncontested Final Determinations of Liability, the Village of South Chicago Heights will petition the Secretary of State to suspend your driving privileges. 

Failure to pay any fines due to the Village of South Chicago Heights will result in additional enforcement activities, including assessment by a collection agency and immobilization of you vehicle.

3. Which defenses are allowed?

• The operator of the vehicle was issued a uniform traffic citation by a police officer for the same incident. 
• The violation occurred at any time during which the vehicle or its license plate was reported to a law enforcement agency as having been stolen and the vehicle license plate had not been recovered by the owner at the time of the alleged violation.
• The vehicle was leased to another party and within sixty calendar days after the citation was mailed to the owner, the owner submitted a written affidavit with the correct name and address of the lessee of the vehicle identified on the notice at the time of the violation, together with a copy of the lease agreement.
• The vehicle was an authorized emergency vehicle or was a vehicle lawfully participating in a funeral procession.
• The respondent was not the registered owner or lessee of the cited vehicle at the time of the violation.

4. What are my options upon receiving a violation?

View the Red Light Violation Options Guide.