Under Illinois law, certain ordinance violations may be adjudicated through an administrative adjudication process. Administrative adjudication is a process in which violations of local ordinances are adjudicated by a hearing officer rather than through the county judicial system. Violations of County Ordinances may be subject to the County’s Administrative Adjudication process currently including ordinances enforced by the Land Use, Health, and Animal Control Departments, as well as those enforced by the Sheriff. Administrative Adjudication hearings are held at the on the second floor of the County Office Building located at 302 N. Chicago St., Joliet, IL, 60432 in the County Board Room.
Administrative adjudication hearings are less formal than proceedings held at the Will County Courthouse. These matters are punishable only by an administrative fine established for the alleged violation. Decisions of the hearing officer in administrative adjudication may be appealed pursuant to the Illinois Administrative Review Law, 735 ILCS 5/3-101 et seq.
Questions or issues related to a specific citation should be referred to the issuing Department whose contact information is part of the citation. Any questions regarding a court date, time, or location may be directed to the Administrative Adjudication Office at 815-740-4601.