On November 2, 2016, a Judge in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois found that a lawsuit against the City of Chicago challenging the legality of its speed and red light camera enforcement program can proceed as a class action. The suit alleges that the City of Chicago ignored the requirement under its own municipal code to issue the appropriate notice to accused drivers and provide a 14-day grace period prior to issuing a determination of liability, depriving vehicle owners of the statutorily required due process and pre-liability notice. The suit also alleges that the City prematurely assessed late penalties in violation of its own municipal code. Collectively, according to the suit, these practices unlawfully accelerated the City’s ability to issue, enforce and collect fines and penalties.
In a prior ruling in the lawsuit, the Court found that the City’s failure to follow these requirements rendered the speed and red light camera violation illegal and void. The ruling granting class certification allows the Plaintiffs to pursue these claims on behalf of the approximately 1.5 Million people affected by these practices and seek to invalidate and/or recoup approximately $500 Million in fines and penalties.
The Court appointed Myron Cherry and Jacie Zolna of Myron M. Cherry & Associates, LLC as class counsel.
The ruling was covered by the Chicago Tribune, Sun Times and WBEZ Radio.
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