City of Chicago – Central Hearing Facility

I don’t think any one enjoys going into any building that starts with the words «City of Chicago». Generally that means you are about to hate the experience that lies ahead of you.
I found my self on the Administrative Hearing journey because my boss got a ticket and I had to come contest it for him. Oh the perks of being the low man on the totem pole. I have to say the building is is a nice part of River North and it’s a pretty nice building. There is one star.
However, you can just feel how much everyone in this building hates their jobs. I don’t think I have ever seen a sadder bunch of people in my life. It must be a requirement on the job application to embody all qualities that are Eeyore. Just saying man people perk up. I wanted to go get a round of starbucks for everyone. These people need Esspresso in their lives… or Adderall… just a suggestion I mean no harm. I walk up to the desk, all happy as I normally am, and simply ask «can you please point me in the direction I need to be?». I think the lady at the desk may have won the world record for the longest eye roll in history. Seriously, for a second I was worried that they would be stuck back there. She then pulls out her mirror and lip gloss and begins to put it on. I confusingly start looking around like maybe I was missing something. When she stopped she said grumpily «you got your paperwork?»
Me: «Yes I do.» I hand it to her «Here it is»
Her: Pushes it back at me. «What court room does it say?»
Me: looks over the paperwork «Room 108 ma’am»
Her: «Then that’s where you need to be. NEXT!»
Me: «I understand that’s the room, but again can you just point me in the direction that this room in in.»
Her: «UM, over there. NEXT!»
I found the room. I checked in and sat down in room 208. and sat and sat and sat. I sat until half the day was over when I finally asked if I had been over looked because people who had come in well after me were already called. That’s when they told me that «mike» was supposed to come get me and tell me they had moved the case to a different room. Well Mike never did and I finally was put int the right room. Where the judge couldn’t do anything because she had locked herself out of the system and couldn’t put any judgments in. I did make a nice little plea deal with one of the hearing lawyers, but didn’t have that judgement put into the system for another 2 hours afterwards.
I sincerely hope this was my last visit here.

This review is to provide a little information about what to expect when contesting a ticket in person. The star rating reflects both the typical apathy and surliness expressed by city workers and the lack of information about how to prepare and what the proceedings are like. Here are the specifics and some details you might find useful.
I successfully contested a ticket for double parking on a residential street in Lakeview. Admittedly, I was parked illegally (for a very short time), but I was able to get the ticket dismissed on a technicality: the agent wrote the wrong street name. Among the seven grounds for contesting a ticket is one that says that «the facts alleged are inconsistent» (#4). This was my defense. But how do you prove that a dark, blurry picture of your car isn’t where they say it is? I increased the exposure on the ticket photo to show some of the surrounding details, I took a picture of my car in the same location on Cornelia in daylight and a picture of my car at the address shown on the citation, on Roscoe. (I even took screen shots in iPhoto showing the map location where each photo was taken, but these weren’t necessary).
My fiancée and I arrived, checked in at the desk, and were sent to a hearing room. No one else in there, just us and the judge. He wasn’t welcoming. He started the proceedings by reading a description of the violation, asking me if I swore to tell the truth, and then asked, «What is your defense?» The proceeding had a formal tone, and I felt like I was in the principal’s office. It’s not relaxed, it’s not even neutral. You’re made to feel powerless. So, expect that. I explained that the street name on the ticket was wrong, and I showed him the photos. He scoffed a bit, which wasn’t encouraging. He spent some time studying his computer, which shows a lot of things you should be aware of: your current ticket with big clear photos, your ticket history, and the record of the tickets written by the agent before and after yours (this was key in my case). He said he would give me the benefit of the doubt, because the tickets written prior to mine by the agent were on Cornelia, and the one following mine was on Brompton (in other words, not near Roscoe). He admonished me not to double park, printed some paperwork, and that was it.
Questions I had before the appearance were things like what would suffice as evidence? Are cell phone pictures allowed, or do they have to be printed? Do I need a witness to testify? Since he let me approach the bench to show him photos and didn’t keep the ones I brought, I have the feeling that cell phone photos would have been OK.
Good luck. I mean it.

I am shocked at how smoothly run and efficient this place is. I was expecting a sh! t show, but was pleasantly surprised. There are help desks outside of each hearing room and although I only spoke with one employee, she was actually pleasant! Plenty of street parking. The first time I went, it took a little over an hour before the judge called my name. The second time would have taken longer, but one of the city’s attorneys took a couple of us into a different room with fewer people. We were in and out.

item 1.
I got a ticket for drinking in public during the gay pride parade which the police had warned everyone they were going to crack down on. My hubris caused me to get ticketed literally three minutes after leaving my front door with a solo cup filled to the brim with mimosa. Just seconds before this I was recounting how my ex lost her iphone last year and took it completely in stride! If that had happened to me I would have shut it down! PRIDE IS OVER!!! I was DETERMINED TO BE ZEN. I had fun at pride but over the next month I anxiously awaited my hearing.
Item 2.
I had a hearing set with a time and place on the ticket for the city of chicago central hearing facility.
Item 3.
The facility is actually run very smoothly. Basically just follow the directions and things will go smoothly. If you need to talk to anyone or ask questions then you are pretty much in one of the 9 circles of hell.
Item 4.
Fortunately I just rolled up into my hearing room at the appointed time and place. I met with the attorney for the city. She advised me my ticket was written incorrectly and my charges were dismissed. I sat in the court room to wait for the judge to give me the written out judgement with her signature and I got to leave. All told it was a quick visit.
Yay! It pays to be ZEN!
The staff working the information desks can be incredibly rude however they are dealing with idiots probably 40 hours a weeks so I can sympathize with them on that.

I visit this establishment often.
I lose more battles then I win but… at least I get a chance to present and argue my case. The city employees are pleasant, the judges are fair and every time I leave (winner or looser) I feel I was heard

The staffers at the metal detector were kind and professional. The staffers at the first desk were helpful and nice. However, the AFSCME staffer (who proudly sports her union colors) that covers the desk outside of room 107 was particularly difficult to communicate with.
A class in customer service or communications would do wonders for her.

Have faith in the system! Smoothly run and efficient facility.
Plenty of parking nearby, with a discounted lot at $ 6.00 one block south (fills up early!), and another one for $ 10.00 which closes at 3pm, so be prepared to move your car before then OR leave your keys with the attendant. The third option is to park at the meters because there is a 4 hour limit, at $ 2.50 an hour, instead of the typical 2 hour limit.
Inside of 400 W Superior, there are help desks outside of each hearing room to get all your questions answered.
Outside of each hearing room, all the necessary info is posted. Once the hearings start, 2 city lawyers offer the petitioners an opportunity to settle their cases, to help expedite the system, and you don’t have to wait thru the entire docket. You can be out of there in a matter of a few minutes. The city gives you 30 days to pay for your fines, at various locations.

This is where the City rams fines down everyones throats.
The only good thing is that Monday Wednesday and Friday there is a legal aid service.

Why would I be a fan of the court system?
Well in comparison to having to go to court in the usual place downtown, this is easy as pie. No long lines for getting through security, clean atmosphere, posted signage all over so its easy to find your court room. It’s never crazily busy and if you are found to pay a fine the wait is never longer than fifteen minutes. If it is, there are pay stations to be used with credit or debit cards. I think you could even use your bank account if you carry the routing number, details etc. Most people are polite and it’s easy to navigate the place. Most times you can find street parking so no need to go to the parking lot suggested on the City’s main site. The area is mostly residential, we’re talking million dollar town homes. So, it’s a clean and pristine looking area. Traffic is at a minimum so you can get drop offs in front. This hearing facility is mainly used for citations dealing with the roads and public ways, housing, rental properties, commercial properties, etc.