If you have past-due criminal or traffic fines or fees in McHenry County, there may be an opportunity to pay what you owe without certain additional costs this October.
The McHenry County Circuit Clerk’s Office is holding Amnesty Week from October 5 through October 9, 2026. During that limited window, collection fees and accrued interest will be waived on eligible past-due criminal and traffic fines and fees when payment is made. The Circuit Clerk describes the program as an opportunity to pay the amount that was due before a case was turned over to collections.
Because Amnesty Week lasts only five days, people who may qualify should consider finding out what they owe and reviewing their payment options before the program begins.
What Is McHenry County Amnesty Week?
McHenry County Amnesty Week is an annual program through the Circuit Clerk’s Office for people who have certain outstanding court balances.
For 2026, the program runs from Monday, October 5, through Friday, October 9. During this period, the Circuit Clerk will waive collection fees and accrued interest on qualifying past-due balances.
According to the Circuit Clerk, the program applies to balances due for:
- Criminal cases
- Traffic violations
- DUI violations
- Ordinance violations
- Conservation violations
For eligible balances, participants can pay the total amount due minus accumulated late fees and collection interest. The waiver does not apply to fines and costs that have already been paid or tax refunds that have already been applied to an outstanding balance.
The important distinction is that Amnesty Week does not eliminate the underlying amount owed. Instead, it temporarily removes qualifying fees and interest that have been added to the balance.
How Do I Find Out How Much I Owe?
If you have an outstanding balance but are unsure how much you would need to pay during Amnesty Week, you can request an Amnesty Week quote directly from the McHenry County Circuit Clerk’s Office.
To obtain a quote, call 815-334-4190 or email CircuitClerk@mchenrycountyil.gov. The amount quoted will reflect the balance due after applicable late fees and collection interest have been removed.
Requesting this information can be especially useful if you have more than one case or are unsure how much of your current balance consists of the original amount owed versus fees and interest.
It also gives you an opportunity to determine what you will need to pay before the Amnesty Week window closes on October 9.
How Can I Pay During Amnesty Week?
The Circuit Clerk provides several payment options. According to the 2026 Amnesty Week information, payments can be made online, by mail or in person. The Amnesty Week flyer also provides the option to pay by phone.
Online payments can be made through the McHenry County Circuit Clerk’s website at mchenrycircuitclerk.org.
For those who want to pay by phone, the flyer directs individuals to call 815-334-4190 between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
In-person payments can be made between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. at:
McHenry County Circuit Clerk
2200 N. Seminary Ave.
Room 136
Woodstock, IL 60098
The Circuit Clerk’s official announcement confirms the office location and hours for Amnesty Week.
Having several payment options means you do not necessarily have to visit the courthouse in person to participate. However, the appropriate method may depend on how you intend to pay.
What Forms of Payment Are Accepted?
The Amnesty Week flyer lists several accepted forms of payment.
Cash is accepted for in-person payments only. Personal checks and money orders are also accepted. Credit and debit cards can be used, although payments made by card are subject to the credit card vendor’s convenience fee.
If you plan to pay by check, make sure sufficient funds are available. The flyer specifically states that if a check is returned, the waived fees and interest will be reinstated.
That makes it important to choose a payment method that will allow the transaction to be completed successfully during the Amnesty Week period.
What Should I Know If I Am Paying by Mail?
The Amnesty Week flyer includes specific instructions for people who choose to mail their payments.
A mail payment should include the Amnesty Week Mail Payment Slip included with the flyer. The slip provides spaces for your name, the total amount enclosed, and the case number or numbers associated with the payment.
If you are paying balances on multiple cases, you should list each case number and specify how much of the enclosed payment should be applied to each case.
The flyer instructs individuals to include the completed payment slip along with their payment. Because the waiver is tied to the October 5 through October 9 Amnesty Week period, anyone planning to mail a payment should review the Circuit Clerk’s instructions carefully.
If you have questions about how a mailed payment will be handled or whether it will qualify, you can contact the Circuit Clerk’s Office directly at 815-334-4190 before sending it.
What Should I Do Before Amnesty Week Begins?
You do not necessarily have to wait until October 5 to determine whether you have a balance or how much you will need to pay.
If you believe you have unpaid criminal or traffic fines or fees in McHenry County, consider locating your case information and contacting the Circuit Clerk’s Office for an Amnesty Week quote. If you have balances associated with multiple cases, make sure you know which cases have outstanding amounts.
You can also decide ahead of time whether you intend to pay online, by mail, by phone or in person.
Taking care of those details in advance may make it easier to complete your payment during the five-day window.
Do You Have Questions About a McHenry County Criminal or Traffic Case?
Amnesty Week is specifically focused on paying qualifying past-due court fines and fees. If you have separate questions about the criminal or traffic case connected to an outstanding balance, you may need legal guidance about your individual circumstances.
Donahue & Kililis, PC represents clients in McHenry County in criminal defense, DUI and traffic matters. If you have questions about an existing case or another criminal or traffic matter, contact our office to discuss your situation with an attorney.