Harper College
Police Department

Office of Adjudication

The Harper College Police Department has implemented a quasi-judicial forum for addressing College / Palatine Park District ordinance violations. These cases were previously handled in the Cook County Circuit Court. By adopting a local adjudication process, Harper College aims to expedite case resolution, reduce associated legal costs, and ease the burden on the Circuit Courts, allowing them to focus on more serious offenses. This approach also provides greater convenience for individuals who wish to contest citations issued on campus.

Quick Links

Overview

An administrative hearing is a civil, not criminal, proceeding in which cases are punishable by fines rather than jail time. In this system, an independent Administrative Hearing Officer—rather than the college or municipal police agency that issued the ticket, complaint, or notice of violation—presides over the case. All Hearing Officers are experienced attorneys who must complete state-mandated training to ensure they conduct proceedings in a professional, fair, and courteous manner. Under Harper College's Administrative Adjudication process, the following types of cases may be heard:

  • Parking tickets
  • Ordinance Violations
  • Conduct Violations

The Administrative Hearing Process

A case within Harper College’s Administrative Adjudication process may begin in several ways. A Harper College Police Officer may issue a ticket, file a complaint, or serve a notice of violation to an individual. Alternatively, proceedings may be initiated in response to a citizen or community complaint.

Ordinance Violation Citations will have a fine and/or a hearing date/time listed at the bottom. The recipient can choose to plead liable and pay the fine prior to the hearing date/time or appear at the hearing.

Payments

It is the responsibility of the cited individual to resolve the Violation Notice in one of the following ways:

  1. Pay the designated amount by mail, online, or in-person at the Harper College Business Office located in Building A, Room 214. Payments may be made in-person or online by the end of the 14-day payment due date, or;
  2. Pay the designated amount by mail, online, or in-person at the Harper College Business Office located in Building A, Room 214. Payments may be made in-person or online within 15-21 days which will include a late fee or;
  3. Failure to resolve the Violation Notice in one of the above-listed ways will result in the doubling of the fine amount up to a maximum of $750.
  4. Harper College reserves the right to take any additional legal steps within its authority to collect any unpaid fines, including in appropriate circumstances, placing a hold on the violator’s College account and/or ability to conduct Harper College business until the fine is paid. The provisions of these procedures shall not take precedence over the specific terms of any collective bargaining agreement with Harper College’s employees or their representatives. Persons receiving a Violation Notice who have no business connection to the College may face civil action and be banned from Harper College property.

Note: Payment for citations must be received by the Business Office, no later than 4:30 pm on the day before your scheduled hearing or you will be required to appear at the Administrative Hearing. There are no grace periods for payments due, including final notices and collections due dates.

A continuance is not allowed unless the Hearing Officer finds good cause. Lack of preparation is not considered good cause. If an individual, or their representative, fails to appear for the scheduled hearing, they may be found in default, and the Hearing Officer may conduct the hearing in their absence.

Attending and Requesting a Hearing

File a written or electronic appeal of the Violation Notice prior to the end of the 14-day payment due date. Written appeals should be addressed to: Harper College
The Office of Adjudication
1200 W. Algonquin Road, Building B
Palatine, IL, 60067
Or send an electronic email requesting a hearing date to: adjudication@harpercollege.edu.

All hearings are held at Harper College's Palatine Campus, 1200 W. Algonquin Road, Palatine, IL in Building E, Room E106. They are on the first Monday of each month at 2 p.m.; if a college holiday falls on a scheduled hearing date, alternate dates will be set and listed on your citation.

It is recommended that you arrive a few minutes early. Upon entering the hearing room, you must check in with the clerk and sit down until the case is called.

This notice outlines important rules for behavior and permitted items in a hearing room, in a court or administrative setting. Here's a breakdown:

Prohibited Items:

  • Audio and video equipment – No recording devices allowed.
  • Newspapers and magazines – No reading material that could be distracting.
  • Food, drink, and chewing gum – To maintain cleanliness and decorum.

Behavior Expectations:

  • No disruptions – Individuals must behave appropriately.
  • Consequences for disruption:
    • Removal from the hearing room
    • Possible continuation of the case without the individual's presence
    • Potential for additional criminal charges

This ensures the proceedings remain respectful and orderly.

IMPORTANT - IMPORTANTE - WAZNY

English - Anyone who cannot speak English must bring someone to assist them.
Español - Cualquier persona que no se puede hablar Inglés debe llevar a alguien para ayudarles.
Polski - Kazdy, kto nie mówi po angielsku musi przyprowadzic kogos do pomocy.

The Hearing Process

Hearing Procedure Overview:

  • Opening Statement:
    The Hearing Officer introduces themselves, explains their role, outlines expected behavior, and describes the order in which cases will be heard.
  • Case Call:
    When a case is called, the individual must acknowledge the call and step forward promptly.
  • Hearing Commencement:
    The hearing starts immediately. Individuals will have the chance to present testimony and evidence.
  • Testimony Protocol:
    All testimony is given under oath and is recorded as part of the official hearing record.

Evidence and Harper College Representation:

  • The ticket, complaint, or notice of violation may serve as sufficient evidence to either prove or disprove the College’s case.
  • By law, the Harper College police officer who issued the document is not required to appear at the hearing.

This means a case can proceed—and potentially be decided—based solely on the written violation, without the officer or representative being present.

Contents of the Violation Notice:

The ticket, complaint, or notice of violation will include key details such as:

  • The date, time, and location of the alleged offense
  • The specific ordinance violated
  • The identity of the individual named in the violation

This ensures that individuals understand the nature of the charge and can prepare a proper response.

  • You can present your side: You're allowed to tell your version of what happened.
  • You can use witnesses and evidence: This includes things like bills, receipts, photos—anything directly related to the violation.
  • Evidence may be kept: Once you give documents or other materials to support your case, Harper College may keep them.
  • No public defender or jury: Unlike criminal court, you won’t get a public lawyer, and there’s no jury—just a hearing officer who decides the outcome.

The Decision

  • The Hearing Officer decides: After reviewing all the evidence and testimony, the Hearing Officer will make a final decision.
  • If you’re found liable: That means you’re held responsible for the violation.
  • Penalties may follow: You could be required to pay fines or face other consequences, as outlined in the college.

Payments can be made to Harper’s Business Office in Building A, Room A214. Acceptable forms of payment are by check, money order, cash, or credit cards. Service fees apply to credit card transactions at Harper College.

Anyone who disagrees with the Hearing Officer’s decision has 35 days to appeal the decision to the Circuit Court of Cook County in Rolling Meadows, Illinois, via a judicial review.

Questions about the adjudication process can be directed to the Harper College Compliance Administrator at adjudication@harpercollege.edu. 

Last Updated: 5/29/25