Frequently Asked Questions

What do I do if I receive a Notice of Violation?

How much is the fine?
The fine is $100.00 for each violation.

How much time do I have to pay my Red Light Violation Notice?
You must pay the civil penalty on or before the due date on your Violation Notice.

View your violation at www.photonotice.com If you don't have internet, or if you have further questions you may call toll free 1(877)847-2338

What are my Options?
Two options are available to you:

Pay The Fine
· To Pay Online: Logon to www.photonotice.com by entering the Citation Number and License Plate Number as well as the city code (ALSIP, IL).   There is a $2.95 convenience fee for paying on-line, assessed at the time of payment.

· Pay By Mail: Mail your check or money order (payable to the Village of Alsip RLPEP) in the return envelope provided. Be sure to include the payment coupon along with your payment. Please do not send cash.

Contest the Notice of Violation:
Please make sure that the basis for your contest is one of the following four options (these are also listed on the back of the notice of violation).

a. Police officer already issued you a uniform traffic citation for the same violation (the citation issued by the police officer takes precedence over the Violation Notice).

b. Vehicle or license plates were stolen and not recovered at the time of the violation

c. Vehicle was an emergency vehicle or lawfully participating in a funeral procession

d. Respondent was not the registered owner or lessee of the cited vehicle at the time of the violation.

Your Right to an Administrative Hearing 

 You have the right to a hearing to contest the merits of the alleged violation:  

To schedule a hearing and have the matter reviewed by a Hearing Officer, You MUST do one of the following:

·    Mail the Request for Hearing Coupon (Option C on page 2) in the enclosed envelope to the Alsip Police Department 4500 West 123^rd Street, Alsip, IL 60803. Please include your phone number. You will be notified of a date and time to appear.

·    Hearings are held at the Village Hall 4500 West 123rd Street Alsip, IL 60803 by appointment only.

·    Failure to appear at the hearing, after having requested a hearing, will result in being found liable.

·    If found liable at the hearing, the civil penalty is due within 14 days of the finding or a late payment penalty of $100.00 will be assessed.

Can a Hearing Date be Re-Scheduled? Yes- a Hearing Date can be re-scheduled once.

Why has the Village of Alsip decided to implement an
Automated Red Light Photo Enforcement Program?

According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, nearly 2 million crashes occur each year at intersections. In 2005, red light running resulted in 800 fatalities and over 165,000 injuries. It is the Village of Alsip's belief that implementation of an Automated Red Light Photo Enforcement Program will reduce the number of red light collisions and injuries associated with such crashes. The goal of this program is to increase traffic safety in the Village of Alsip by reducing red light running violations, red light crashes and red light injury crashes without impacting city funds.

What is a Red Light Violation?

There are Two Types of Red Light Violations:

· Right Turn on Red without coming to a complete stop.

You may be cited with a Red Light Violation if you fail to bring your vehicle to a complete stop before turning right when the light is red. Turning right on red, after bringing your vehicle to a complete stop, is only allowed at intersections that do not have signs prohibiting such turns. For exact wording, please check Illinois' Rules of the Road, or visit the Secretary of State's website, www.cyberdriveillinois.com

· Entering an intersection after the traffic signal has turned red.

Motorists already in the intersection when the signal changes to red, when waiting to turn for example, are not considered red light violators.

If I am in the intersection when the light is yellow and the light changes to red, will I receive a Notice of Violation?
No. The automated system only becomes active once the red light is showing. It will not capture a vehicle that enters the intersection prior to the light changing to red. If you entered the intersection on yellow, it is legal to clear the intersection if the light turned red while you were still in the intersection. In the violation notice, the first photo shows your car at the white line when the stoplight was red. In the second photo the stoplight was still red when the car proceeded into the intersection.

Will the red light cameras take a picture of the driver of the vehicle?
No. A violation of the Village of Alsip's Ordinance is a civil violation assessed against the owner of the vehicle; it is not a criminal violation. Similar to a parking ticket, there is no need to identify the driver and therefore, no need to capture the image of the driver. This violation will not affect your driving privileges or insurance rates.

Where can I go to view my video and images?
To view your violation video clip and images, log on to www.photonotice.com. To log on to the site you must enter your 16 digit Notice Number and License Plate information located at the top right of your Violation Notice. If you do not have Internet access, you may visit any public library for Internet access to view your video.

What if I was not the operator of the car at the time the violation took place…am I still liable?
Under Illinois State Law, HB 4835 effective May, 2006, the registered owner of a vehicle is liable for any automated traffic law violations that occur to the vehicle. It does not matter who was driving the car, the law clearly states that the registered owner is liable.

The car was a rental, why did I receive the Violation Notice?
Under the law, the person(s) designated on the rental or lease agreement of a vehicle as the driver(s) of that vehicle is responsible for any assigned violations during the rental period. Your name and address were provided to us by the rental car agency.

What happens if I ignore the Violation Notice?
Failure to pay the civil penalty or to contest liability prior to the Pay or Contest Date on the Notice will result in a Determination of Liability being entered against you. You will be given another 25 days to pay, at which time, if payment has still not been received, a Final Determination of Liability will be issued. If the Final Determination of Liability is not paid, a late payment fee will be imposed and the fine increased. If this Second Notice remains unpaid, collections and an entry of a judgment against you may proceed

How do I know these violations are valid?
Images of our vehicle were captured and recorded by an Automated Red Light Photo Enforcement System. Your images and an actual video of the occurrence are available online for your review at www.photonotice.com. The images and video passed a two part review process by qualified technicians before being submitted to the Village of Alsip Police Department for final review and approval. The alleged civil infraction notice was then mailed to you as the registered owner or identified driver. Confirmation of your name, address and vehicle registration information was provided to the Village of Alsip by the Illinois Secretary of State's Office. You have the option of contesting the Violation Notice either by Mail or by requesting an In-Person Hearing.