If you’ve been through the criminal court system in Illinois — even for a traffic ticket — you may owe money to the court or the government. This is called criminal court debt or criminal justice financial obligations (CJFOs). It’s not like credit card debt. It comes from a legal case, and the rules are different.

Types of criminal justice debt

• Court costs and fees – charges for having a case
• Fines – a punishment ordered by the judge
• Restitution – money paid to a victim for losses
• Probation or supervision fees – monthly charges while under court supervision
• Jail fees – charges for time spent in jail
• Traffic tickets or ordinance violations – which can lead to license suspensions

Why this debt is different

Criminal debt can be harder to deal with than regular debt. If you don’t pay, the court may:

• Send your case to collections.
• Suspend your driver’s license.
• Enter a judgment and try to take money from your paycheck or bank account.
• Deny your request to clear your record.

Your rights and options

• Ask for a payment plan if you can’t pay all at once.
• Request a fee waiver for court costs if you have low income or public benefits.
• For restitution, you can ask for a lower amount or more time to pay.
• If you get a court date about your debt, always show up and bring proof of your income and expenses.
• You cannot be jailed just for being unable to pay, but you can be jailed for missing required court dates or for willfully refusing to pay debt that the court thinks you can afford.

Get help and learn more:

• Illinois Attorney General’s Office: 1-800-243-0618.
• Illinois Legal Aid Online has an Easy Form to ask for reduced assessments.
• Illinois Courts – Fee Waivers – official forms and instructions.