Rule 555.Requirements for Written Plea of Guilty

Article V. Rules on Trial Court Proceedings in Traffic and Conservation Offenses, Ordinance Offenses, Petty Offenses, Misdemeanors, and Civil Law Violations · Part D. Required Court Appearances, Forms and Procedures · Last amended 2023 · Last verified July 20, 2026

In one sentenceRule 555 spells out the timing for mailing in a guilty plea and payment on tickets that qualify under Rules 529, 530, or 531.

Full Text of Ill. S. Ct. R. 555

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Written Plea of Guilty. In any case that can be disposed of on a written plea of guilty without a court appearance under Rules 529, 530, or 531 the defendant may submit his or her written plea of guilty and pay the prescribed fines, penalties, assessments, and costs to the clerk of the circuit court of the county in which the violation occurred not earlier than 10 court days after arrest, and not later than 3 court days before the date set for appearance, unless the clerk waives these time limits. A written plea of guilty may be mailed to the clerk of the circuit court of the county in which the violation occurred. A plea of guilty may be transmitted electronically, if authorized by the Supreme Court.

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Plain-English Summary

For traffic, conservation, and overweight tickets that can be resolved without a court appearance, Rule 555 sets the window for submitting payment: not earlier than 10 court days after the arrest, and not later than 3 court days before the scheduled appearance date, unless the clerk agrees to waive those limits.

The written plea can be mailed to the clerk of the circuit court in the county where the violation happened, or, where the Supreme Court has authorized it, transmitted electronically.

Frequently Asked Questions

How soon after my ticket can I send in a guilty plea?

Not earlier than 10 court days after the arrest.

What's the deadline to mail in my plea?

No later than 3 court days before your scheduled appearance date.

Can the clerk give me more time?

Yes, the clerk may waive these time limits.

Can I submit my plea online?

Yes, if the Supreme Court has authorized electronic pleas for that type of case.

Which tickets does Rule 555 cover?

Only those that can be resolved without a court appearance under Rules 529, 530, or 531.

Amendment History

Amended effective October 7, 1970; amended February 17, 1977, effective April 1, 1977, in counties other than Cook, effective July 1, 1977, in Cook County; amended December 22, 1981, effective January 15, 1982; amended April 27, 1984, effective July 1, 1984; amended June 26, 1987, effective August 1, 1987; amended June 19, 1989, effective August 1, 1989; amended September 30, 2002, effective immediately; amended Dec. 29, 2017, eff. Jan. 1, 2018; amended June 8, 2018, eff. July 1, 2018; amended Mar. 8, 2019, eff. July 1, 2019; amended Oct. 27, 2022, eff. Sept. 18, 2023.

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

Also known as: deadline to mail a traffic ticket pleahow to send a guilty plea for a ticketwhen to pay a traffic ticket by mailwritten plea of guilty deadline