As so many of us I am usually amazed and puzzled as to the inefficiencies combined with outright arrogance frequently encountered by our well paid city officials. (the ones we all collectively pay every month...but of course they do us a favor by being there!)
Since time is money and it hardly ever pays to fight the system I figured why not post my story here ?!...for all of you to read.
I invite you to send me your stories....I will post them and hopefully we can all have a good laugh about it. (...it clearly does not usually pay to "fight the system"...)
For obvious reasons I decided to delete all of my identifying information...pretty sure city officials would otherwise direct the combined power of their office to make my life miserable.
So...without any further delay...here is the story of a proud vehicle owner, a paid City of Chicago sticker and the Administrative Law Judge Jose Padilla (# 056) and his final decision.
Step 1...My Ticket
Sometime in November 2012 ( to my biggest surprise if I may add) I find the ticket below under my wiper. As a law abiding citizen I am puzzled as to my apparent failure to have not renewed my vehicle registration.
For your reading pleasure a copy of the ticket is attached!
Step 2...I Investigate (Picture me as Sherlock Holmes!)
I seemed to be able to recall that I had paid my registration promptly when I received the renewal notice...so that happened ? Being puzzled as to why I did not have the proper registration I decide to swing by the downtown DMV. After a lot of explaining I am handed a copy of the registration status of the vehicle in question. To my greatest joy I had apparently paid my fees for re-registration in time.
Great News (so I thought). I respectfully submit to my readership a copy of my investigative work below. ( I also want to say a personal thank you to the highly motivated clerk behind the counter...who clearly stated that my ticket was not his problem... and thank you again for charging me a dollar for the piece of paper I was handed)
Step 3...The Appeal Process (Thank You City That We Have It...!!!)
As my fellow Chicagoan's know..we have the right to appeal in a case where injustice is done. Since I clearly had paid for my registration at the time the ticket was issued it was just a formality to have the ticket voided. I draft a quick letter...attach the above evidence that I had proper registration and send it out. (thank you again to the Postal Office...it never ceases to amaze me that the mail arrives)
Step 4...The Legal System Works Its Magic...(Thank You Judge Padella for considering the evidence)
I anxiously open the letter, fully prepared for justice to run its course. My trust and faith into the City of Chicago and its well paid employees is unrivaled. Surely a well paid law judge (making between 1115k and 137 k, "source career bliss") is fully capable taking the submitted evidence into account and make a determination in my favor. We , the proud citizen's, pay them well so that only the best and the brightest are taking the job. (I wonder anyhow what their benefit package is...surely it is the minimum of 30k per year...making the him or her a 150k minimum expense to the city...well deserved undoubtedly?!)
The determination by the Honorable Judge Padilla speaks for itself. A crushing blow to my sense of justice.
Step 5...What To Do Now ?
Clearly the judge neither read my letter (explaining that my sticker had apparently been removed) nor considered the attached registration notice showing that I had paid as of 9/26/2012.
With amazement I read that my only recourse is now a full blown lawsuit against the City Of Chicago. (wondering what the filing fees are?)
Well...I am left with the option to either pay my 60 US-$ or file a lawsuit against the city. Needless to say...the costs and effort needed to fight the system beyond what I was able to muster thus far greatly outweighs my ability to pay the $ 60.
As such I grudgingly paid the 60...and decided to post my story.
Hope you enjoyed it!
Yours forever,
A Chicago Citizen!
