Palatine, IL Mobility & Curb Rules: Red-Light Cameras (2026)

Sec. 28-200 defines the automated traffic law enforcement system as sensors paired with a red signal that record images of a vehicle entering an intersection against a steady or flashing red light, and defines 'disregarding a traffic control device' and 'no turn on red' by cross-reference to Section 11-306 of the Illinois Vehicle Code and Sec. 28-7 of the Village Code. A law enforcement officer or retired officer must review every recorded image before the village's traffic compliance administrator issues a notice of violation by U.S. mail, sent within 30 days of the Secretary of State identifying the registered owner and no later than 90 days after the violation.

Sec. 28-202 lets a hearing officer accept three defenses: the vehicle or plates were stolen and reported to police, the driver ran the light to yield to an emergency vehicle or as part of a funeral procession, or another defense the hearing officer finds applicable. Under Sec. 28-204 and Sec. 28-205, the owner has 14 days from the notice to request either an in-person administrative hearing or a mail-in hearing with documentary evidence, at no extra charge. If the owner neither pays nor contests within 14 days, Sec.

28-207 triggers a notice of determination of liability for a $100.00 fine; unpaid after 35 days, the village sends a notice of final determination and the debt must be paid within 14 days or a $100.00 late fee is added. Sec. 28-208 warns that five or more unpaid violations can lead to a petition to the Circuit Court of Cook County to reduce the debt to a judgment or to suspend the owner's driver's license, and Sec. 28-206 allows appeal of a final determination to the Circuit Court of Cook County under the Administrative Review Act.