Article V. Rules on Trial Court Proceedings in Traffic and Conservation Offenses, Ordinance Offenses, Petty Offenses, Misdemeanors, and Civil Law Violations · Part E. Rules and Procedures for Non-Traffic/Non-Conservation Ordinance Violations · Last amended 2011 · Last verified July 20, 2026
In one sentenceRule 573 spells out how an ordinance charging document can reach the accused — hand delivery, certified mail for smaller fines, or placement on a parked vehicle.
Full Text of Ill. S. Ct. R. 573
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The charging document, including a notice to appear, may be served by hand delivery by a
peace officer, code enforcement officer, or as otherwise authorized by law. Where the fine would not be in excess of $750 for a municipal ordinance offense, service of summons may be made by certified mail, return receipt requested, as authorized in section 1-2-9.1 of the Municipal Code (65 ILCS 5/1-2-9.1) whether service is to be within or without the state. Parking tickets should include a certification that the ticket was either placed on the vehicle or hand delivered to the driver. This rule does not prohibit initiating prosecution by any other means authorized by statute.
Plain-English Summary
Rule 573 lists the ways a peace officer, code enforcement officer, or other authorized person can serve an ordinance charging document, including a notice to appear. Hand delivery works for any case. For municipal ordinance fines that won't exceed $750, certified mail with a return receipt also works, whether the recipient lives in Illinois or out of state.
Parking tickets get their own practical rule: the ticket should certify that it was either placed on the vehicle or handed to the driver. None of this rules out any other method of service that's already allowed by statute.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I be served with a municipal ordinance ticket?
By hand from an officer, by certified mail for smaller fines, or by having it placed on your vehicle for a parking violation.
Is there a dollar limit for using certified mail instead of hand delivery?
Yes, certified mail service applies where the fine won't exceed $750.
Does certified mail work if I live out of state?
Yes, the rule allows certified mail service whether the recipient is inside or outside Illinois.
What has to be certified for a parking ticket?
That it was placed on the vehicle or handed directly to the driver.
Are there other ways to start an ordinance case besides these?
Yes, this rule doesn't rule out any other method of service already authorized by statute.
Committee Comments
(December 7, 2011)
Service of process in civil actions generally is covered in Supreme Court Rules 101 through 110. Many ordinance prosecutions are initiated by code enforcement officers, e.g., building safety inspectors for property maintenance violations or animal control officers for animal ordinance violations. The final sentence makes it clear that this rule allowing for the initiation of prosecution by a Notice to Appear does not abrogate the opportunity to initiate a prosecution as provided in section 1-2-9 of the Municipal Code (65 ILCS 5/1-2-9), namely, by summons or warrant.
Amendment History
Adopted December 7, 2011, effective immediately; Adopted Rule 573 corrected December 9, 2011, nunc pro tunc December 7, 2011.
Source & verification. Rule text, official Committee Comments, and
amendment history are reproduced verbatim from the Illinois Supreme Court Rules,
promulgated by the Supreme Court of Illinois. Last verified July 20, 2026.
· Official source
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