(a) All civil law violations may be satisfied without a court appearance by admitting to the violation, with the exception of electronic admissions unless authorized by the Supreme Court, and payment of $120, inclusive of all penalties, fees, and costs.
Rule 588.Fines, Penalties, and Costs on Written Consents to Judgments in Civil Law Violations
Article V. Rules on Trial Court Proceedings in Traffic and Conservation Offenses, Ordinance Offenses, Petty Offenses, Misdemeanors, and Civil Law Violations · Part F. Rules and Procedures for Civil Law Violations · Last amended 2016 · Last verified July 20, 2026
In one sentenceRule 588 lets someone resolve a civil law violation for a flat $120 — covering every fee and cost — by admitting to it without a court appearance.
Full Text of Ill. S. Ct. R. 588
(b) No other fines, fees, penalties, or costs shall be assessed in any case that is disposed of on an admission to the violation without a court appearance. The fine shall be disbursed by the clerk pursuant to statute.
Plain-English Summary
Under Rule 588, admitting to a civil law violation and paying $120 resolves the case completely, without a court appearance. That $120 covers every applicable penalty, fee, and cost — nothing else gets added once the case is disposed of this way. Electronic admissions only count where the Supreme Court has specifically authorized them.
The clerk of the circuit court then disburses the money collected according to statute.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to resolve a civil law violation without going to court?
$120 total, covering all penalties, fees, and costs.
Can I admit to the violation online?
Only if the Supreme Court has authorized electronic admissions for this type of case.
Will I owe anything beyond the $120?
No, Rule 588 bars any additional fines, fees, or costs once the case is resolved this way.
What happens to the $120 I pay?
The clerk of the circuit court disburses it according to statute.
Is admitting to the violation the same as pleading guilty in court?
It functions as a written consent to judgment rather than a formal courtroom guilty plea, since no appearance takes place.
Amendment History
Adopted Sept. 1, 2016, eff. immediately.
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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