(If you haven’t seen PART 1 about which cases are being rescheduled and when you should expect a new court date, please read it BEFORE READING ON)
First, we hope that you are healthy and that your family is well. During these difficult times, we know that a minor traffic citation is not always your most pressing concern but if that is the case today, we are happy to help. After the Coronavirus/COVID-19 outbreak, many courts closed rather abruptly. This guide is primarily to help determine future traffic court dates while practicing social distancing.
This guide is not meant to be a definitive guide. It is meant to give guidance about your approximate court date. YOU ARE ADVISED TO CHECK WITH THE CIRCUIT COURT CLERK OF THE COUNTY IN WHICH YOU HAVE YOUR CITATION TO VERIFY YOUR SPECIFIC COURT DATE AS THERE ARE EXCEPTIONS FOR CERTAIN ISSUES. WE ACCEPT NO LIABILITY FOR ANY MISUNDERSTANDINGS THAT THIS DOCUMENT MIGHT LEAD TO. AS TIME PROGRESSES, THE COURT ORDERS THESE EXPLANATIONS ARE BASED ON ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE IF CIRCUMSTANCES CHANGE.
Second, every county is handling cases differently. As a result, there is no one size fits all answer. This article applies primarily to persons with non-DUI traffic citations from the Chicagoland counties of Cook, DuPage, Will, Kane, Lake, McHenry, Kendall, and DeKalb. If you have a case outside these jurisdictions or in another area of law, you can generally search “_______ County case search”. Usually, the first link is the correct link where you can search party information to secure your answer. Otherwise, you can contact the Clerk of the Circuit Court of the county of your citation.
Those with tickets in these jurisdictions can locate information by following the directions below. For all of these services below, the ticket will need to be delivered by the officer to the court (between a few days and a few weeks after the ticket was issued). For future reference, your complaint or ticket number is printed at the top of your ticket. The case number by contrast is generated by the court and is not printed on your ticket. It typically begins with a year followed by “TR” and numbers. Once delivered to the court, it can be accessed using the below techniques.
COUNTY SPECIFIC INFORMATION
Cook County – For non-DUI traffic case information, we recommend using the following websites HERE and HERE for looking up traffic tickets. You can also call the automated system if you have your ticket number:
Automated System: Dial (312) 603-2000 and wait for it to say option 1 for English. At this time, press 1, then 2 at the next menu, then 3 at the next menu, then 1. You will enter your complaint number at the top of the ticket using the keys. This service is available 24/7.
You can also contact the Circuit Court Clerk to perform various services. The Clerk has produced the following document with contact information and instructions HERE.
DuPage County – For non-DUI traffic cases, you can visit HERE and search for your case by using your name, complaint number (ticket number), or case number if you have it. There may be multiple listings to view. Through trial and error clicking the last name and then case number using the birthdate to ensure you are picking the right person, attempt to find a case with a count description that matches your ticket. Take note of the next court date. When you find your case, take note of the case number for easier access. Alternatively, you can call the Circuit Court Clerk by dialing (630) 407-8600 between 8:00am-4:30pm Monday through Friday.
Will County – For non-DUI traffic cases, you can visit HERE and press start to begin a new session. There, you may search by your party name, business name, case number, or ticket number. You should look for your date of birth and reference offense to ensure you have the correct case. Take note of the case number for easier access on the left hand side. Enter the captcha and proceed to the case information screen. From there, select the schedule tab where you can see future court dates. Alternatively, you can call the Circuit Court Clerk at (815) 727-8592 from 8:30am to 4:30pm Monday through Friday.
Kane County – For non-DUI traffic cases, you can visit HERE and select “smart search”. Enter your name or case number in XXTRXXXXX format as prompted and search. Take note of any case number you find for easier access. When you find your case, use the identifying information as a guide to ensure don’t see someone with a similar name and scroll down to the “events and hearings” section to find the latest date. That is your future court date. If you can’t use the search function and have had a prior court date you attended, select “search hearings”. Leave location and hearing types alone. Change search type to “party name”. Enter your last and first name. Indicate only the date you were last in court. If this fails, you can try “search hearings” again. Leave location and hearing type alone. Change search type to “courtroom”. Select your courtroom. Finally, select a date range that includes only your court date. If you cannot locate your case using this system because too many results are pulled, you can only call in.
For phone access, we recommend dialing (630) 232-3413. Then press option 3, then option 4. Phone hours are from 8:30am to 4:30pm Monday through Friday.
Lake County – For non-DUI traffic cases, you can visit HERE and search by name or case number. You may not search by ticket number. Fill in as much information as you would like. Select the box to accept the terms and complete the “I’m not a robot” prompt. Select the case number that matches the details of your case in the “case sub type”. Take note of any case number you locate for easier access if you find one. Select the court events tab and see the future court dates. Alternatively, you can contact the Circuit Court Clerk at (847) 377-3380 between 8:30am and 5:00pm Monday through Friday.
McHenry County – For non-DUI traffic cases, you can visit HERE and select case information search. You may use your name, ticket number or case number. Follow the recommended tips for searching. Take note of any case number given for future easier access. Alternatively, you can call the Circuit Court Clerk at (815) 334-4190 between 8:00am and 4:30pm Monday through Friday.
Kendall County – For non-DUI traffic cases, you can visit HERE and press the “I’m not a robot button”. Type in the party name or case number in the correct format. Select your case from the list using the year of birth to avoid people with the same name. Take note of the “Next/Last Court Date” and case number for easier future reference. Alternatively, you may call the circuit court clerk at (630) 553-4183 between 8:00am and 4:30pm Monday through Friday.
DeKalb County – For non-DUI traffic cases, you can visit HERE and press the “I’m not a robot” button. Type in the party name or case number in the correct format. Select your case from the list using the year of birth to avoid people with the same name. Take note of the “Next/Last Court Date” and case number for easier future reference. Alternatively, you may call the circuit court clerk at (815) 895-7138 between 8:00am and 4:30pm Monday through Friday.
Thank you for taking the time to read these materials. It is my hope that this will help make this process easier. Please stay safe and we wish best for you and your family.
