‘Amnesty Week’ Offers Chance To Pay Overdue Fines Without Penalties

This week, the Champaign county circuit clerk’s office is hosting “Amnesty Week,” offering residents a chance to pay off any past-due fines without interest.

From today through Friday, people can report in person to the Urbana courthouse between 7:30 am and 6 pm to pay off outstanding fines from criminal cases or unpaid traffic tickets.

Participants must pay off their entire balance in order to avoid late fees.

Circuit Clerk Katie Blakeman said by participating, many people can save about 30 percent off what they owe.

Blakeman said one of the goals of “Amnesty Week” is to help remove one of the main barriers for people seeking to expunge, or clear, their criminal records.

At last year’s event, people paid off more than 150 cases.

“So that meant that there were a lot more people able to get license and perhaps not get arrested in the future for driving on a suspended or revoked license, or to obtain employment that requires the use of a driver’s license,” Blakeman said.

Acceptable forms of payment include cash, cashier's check, money order, or credit card with a valid ID. The circuit clerk's office won't accept partial payments or personal checks.

Cashier’s checks and money order payments can also be submitted by mail, as long as they are postmarked by September 14.

Find more information on the circuit clerk's website.