A bond certificate is a certificate acceptable in lieu of bail in traffic violations as authorized under the provisions of Article V of the Illinois Supreme Court Rules. Rule 9.1(c). 

A guarantor is any company or association currently authorized which issues and guarantees the payment of a judgment and costs upon the failure of a holder of a bond certificate to appear for trial pursuant to the orders of the court. Rule 9.1(d).

Any automobile club or association which has been in existence for a period of 18 months or more and has an actual bona-fide membership of 1500 or more, or any trade union, surety or insurance company shall be permitted to issue bond certificates to their members or assured and to act as guarantors on bond certificates so issued in the Circuit Court of Cook County, if authorized by the Chief Judge of the Court. Rule 9.2(a)(iii).

The following information applies only to bond certificate guarantors in Cook County, Illinois.
 

For Bonds-Sureties, Part 9 of the Rules of the Circuit Court of Cook County, click here.

For a list of currently authorized bond certificate guarantors, click here.

For information on petitioning the court for authorization to issue bond certificates, click here. 

For a downloadable petition application packet, click here.

For information for Law Enforcement Officers on Bond Cards, click here.

For information on the refund or substitution of a security or cash deposit for bond certificate guarantors, click here.