FAQs

If you received a court diversion envelope, follow the instructions on the envelope and mail it to the Court Clerk.

If there is a court date listed on the citation, you are required to appear on the date and time specified. If you posted a license, or bond card, it will be returned by mail if you chose option A or B on the diversion envelope. If you chose option “C”, or are given a court date, your license will be returned in court.

Traffic Safety School link 

The traffic speed sign is primarily used in conjunction with ongoing traffic complaints. However, when complaints are done, it is possible to request that the sign be placed in your neighborhood for a day to monitor traffic.

The Evanston Police Department Traffic Unit will address neighborhood traffic complaints to assist residents in improving the quality of life in neighborhoods with respect to traffic safety. Primary approaches used to accomplish this goal are Police visibility, education, and traffic enforcement. This enforcement is primarily accomplished by one of the Traffic Unit Officers being assigned to the neighborhood to write citations for traffic violations.

The Speed Monitoring Awareness Radar Trailer (S.M.A.R.T.) is also being used in areas where citizen complaints are high due to traffic problems regarding speeding or reckless driving. If you have traffic related problem in your neighborhood, call (847) 866-2922 and speak with the staff in the traffic engineer's office.

The police department would also enjoy hearing about any good things the officers are doing out in the field. If you use the E-mail please leave a name, phone number, and address so the complaint, or praise, can be followed up by the traffic unit.

1. Following Too Closely
2. Unlawful Speed
3. D.U.I.
4. Violation of Right of Way
5. Violation of Traffic Control Devices (Failed to stop at stop sign, red light)

First and foremost, check on injuries. If there are injuries dial 911 so as to activate emergency medical personnel and local law enforcement.

1. If there are no injuries, move vehicles from the roadway so as to allow other motorists to continue on. Illinois State Statutes state that each driver shall make every reasonable effort to remove the vehicle from the traffic way so as not to obstruct traffic.
2. Be prepared to display your driver's license, current vehicle registration and current proof of insurance to either law enforcement personnel or to the other driver if law enforcement is not called to the scene.

You can obtain a copy of traffic crash from the Evanston Police Department records section 1454 Elmwood Evanston, IL. 60201

Their hours of service are Monday - Friday 8:30 am - 5:00 pm. The fee for a copy of your report is $5.00

Effective June 16, 2003 the "Scott’s Law" went into effect. Scott’s Law increases the penalties for drivers who fail to yield to emergency vehicles or cause accidents or injury to public safety or service personnel at roadside emergency scenes. Offenders can expect to be fined up to $10,000 and have their driver’s license suspended for up to two years. Illinois State Police Director Sam W. Nolen said, "Each day, law enforcement officers, firefighters, emergency response personnel, and highway workers encounter situations which place their lives in jeopardy while protecting the citizens of Illinois. This legislation helps to ensure that they can perform those duties out of harm’s way."

Penalties for violating Scott’s Law include: a fine of not more than $10,000 suspension of driving privileges for a period of up to a year but not less than 90 days for damaging another person’s property suspension of driving privileges for a period of not less than180 days but no more than two years for injuring another person a two-year suspension of driving privileges for causing the death of another person.

The Evanston Police Department encourages motorists to follow these precautions when approaching an emergency vehicle with its lights activated:

• Slow down and proceed with caution.
• Yield the right-of-way by changing into a lane not immediately adjacent to the emergency vehicle.
• Be prepared to pull over to the right-hand side of the roadway and stop if directed to do so.
• Be watchful of the movement of emergency personnel and equipment.

The legislation applies to all vehicles displaying flashing lights, including highway maintenance vehicles.

According to the Evanston Municipal Code, vehicles cannot be left on a public street for more than seven days before being moved. Complaints regarding these vehicles can be made by submitting an Abandoned Vehicle service request. An officer will check the vehicle to determine if it has been abandoned and make every effort to contact the registered owner to explain parking laws and city ordinances.

If the vehicle is in violation of the ordinance and the officer is unable to contact the registered owner, the vehicle will be tagged for tow in seven days. If you have concerns about large trucks parked on your street you should again call the police department. Large trucks have specific streets that they are prohibited from parking on. If the officer feels the truck is in violation, the truck will be cited.