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1. Can I avoid going to court?

Yes. Most persons issued an ordinance violation ticket can avoid court by paying the ordinance violation fine. This is called a settlement. Settlement is not an admission of guilt, but it bars you from challenging or disputing the ticket or the circumstances surrounding the issuance of the ordinance violation. By paying the fine before court, you accept these terms.

2. Why is it called a settlement?

Because both you and the Town are giving up certain options in exchange for not having to appear in court. By paying and signing the settlement agreement, and after acceptance by the Town, you release any claim you may have against the Town and the Town releases its right to prosecute you for the violation.

3. Who is eligible to pay a settlement at City Hall?

Most people are eligible to pay a settlement before court. Under certain circumstances – for instance, repeat offenders – a settlement may not be offered. The Town reserves the right to withdraw any settlement offer and reject any payment sent for purposes of settlement.

4. How much do I have to pay to settle the ordinance violation?

You must pay the fine amount that is listed on your ticket. Settlement amounts can also be found in Section 17.9-3 of the Town of Normal Municipal Code. If you cannot locate the fine amount on the ticket or in the Municipal Code, you can find it by searching for your ticket through the Town’s online ordinance violation payment portal or by calling the Legal Department at (309) 454-9507.

5. What if I have a prior ordinance violation?

You will likely be allowed to pay at City Hall or through the online ordinance violation payment portal. If you have more than one prior ordinance violation, you may settle out of court only by agreement with the Town's Legal Department and you may be required to pay an increased settlement amount. The Town reserves the right to refuse any settlement offer.

6. What if I receive multiple ordinance violations arising out of a single incident?

If you receive more than one ordinance violation ticket arising out of a single incident, you may pay the most serious charge (the highest fine/settlement amount) and all the tickets received in that incident will be considered settled and dismissed accordingly. If the charge due is the same dollar amount on multiple tickets, you can decide which violation you pay. If you receive multiple violations and any one of the fines does not appear on the ticket, call the Legal Department at (309) 454-9507 to confirm your settlement options.

7. How can I pay the settlement?

You may pay online through the online ordinance violation payment portal, in person at City Hall (3^rd Floor, Finance Department), or by mailing your payment to the Legal Department. You must sign the back of your ticket and include this with your payment. Payment should be made to the Town of Normal. Acceptable forms of payment are cash, check, money order, and credit/debit card.

8. I want to mail my settlement. Where do I send the ticket and payment?

Town of Normal
Legal Department
11 Uptown Circle
P.O. Box 589
Normal, IL 61761

9. How long do I have to pay the settlement?

You must pay the settlement prior to the court date listed on your ticket.

10. Can I make partial payments?

No. Only payment in full is accepted as settlement for ordinance violations. If you are unable to pay the settlement amount in full prior to your court date, you must go to court and plead guilty to be put on a payment plan.

11. What happens if I do not pay the settlement by the court date?

If you have not paid the settlement by your court date, you must appear in court on that date. Failure to pay the settlement and failure to appear in court will result in a default judgment being entered against you.

12. What happens to my ticket if I pay the settlement?

If the ticket was already filed in court, it will be dismissed. If it has not been filed in court, the Town will keep a record at City Hall, but it will not be filed in court.