City Clerk Anna Valencia’s Amnesty initiative helps thousands get their City Stickers

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FOR MORE INFORMATION: Diana Martinez | [email protected] | (312) 597-1830

City Clerk Anna Valencia's Amnesty initiative helps thousands get their City Stickers
Month-long effort generated $1.6 million while waiving late fees and back charges

CHICAGO - City Clerk Anna Valencia announced today that the 2026 Amnesty April initiative generated $1.6 million in additional Wheel Tax revenue for the City of Chicago, while helping thousands of residents with late City Sticker purchases and renewals.

During Amnesty April, Chicago residents were able to purchase or renew their City Stickers without paying late fees or back charges, providing meaningful financial relief while encouraging compliance with the City's vehicle sticker requirements. Residents accessed the program through multiple purchase options, including first-time purchase access through the Office of the City Clerk (OCC) EzBuy online store (ezbuy.chicityclerk.com); the OCC's three field offices and during three Saturday Mobile City Hall events held across Chicago.

Amnesty programs are designed to encourage compliance by temporarily waiving certain penalties and fees, making it easier for residents to renew and purchase required City Stickers, while avoiding additional financial burdens as a result of having an expired sticker and preventing additional ticketing. In total, Amnesty April 2026 served more than 15,000 Chicago drivers.

"Amnesty April is about creating practical opportunities for residents to come into compliance without additional financial hardship," City Clerk Anna Valencia said. "This year's results reflect the strong demand for accessible government services and our team's commitment to delivering real relief and assistance for Chicagoans. Nearly 40 percent of all Amnesty April transactions were completed through our online store, demonstrating the growing need for convenient and accessible service options."

First launched in 2019, Amnesty Month was created in response to residents seeking additional opportunities to resolve outstanding obligations while avoiding mounting penalties and fees. Following strong public response and continued demand, the OCC reintroduced the program in 2025 as part of its ongoing effort to balance accountability with affordability and provide residents with practical pathways to regain good standing.
Throughout the campaign, the OCC conducted neighborhood outreach efforts to ensure residents across Chicago were aware of the temporary relief opportunity and the multiple ways to participate. The Office of the City Clerk remains committed to identifying innovative, accessible and responsive ways to better serve Chicago residents while continuing to improve customer service and access to government resources.

"We are proud that thousands of residents were able to take advantage of this opportunity, while also generating important revenue for the city," said Clerk Valencia.

Amnesty April builds on Clerk Valencia's ongoing work to create fairer pathways to compliance for Chicago residents through the Chicago Fines, Fees and Access Collaborative she launched in 2018. Shaped by direct feedback from residents, community advocates and stakeholders across the city, the OCC's Amnesty initiative reflects the Clerk's continued commitment to not only listening to Chicagoans but hearing their lived experiences and responding with meaningful financial relief and accessibility efforts

About The Office of the City Clerk

Led by City Clerk Anna Valencia, the Office of the City Clerk serves as the official record keeper of the Chicago City Council, administers the City's Wheel Tax (City Sticker), and oversees Chicago's municipal ID program, CityKey. The Office also partners with Chicago Public Schools on the NextGen youth civic engagement program, collaborates with community organizations on fines and fees reform, and supports initiatives to improve the lives of women and girls. Learn more at www.chicityclerk.com and follow OCC on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.

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