Drinking ticket turned over to collections - Advice?

It's already out of the courts and in collections. I am out of state and even if I wasn't there would be anything but financial penalties that I am aware of. Again, saying "fuck it" is not an option. I am willing to do anything to keep this off of my credit report.

Here is an update. I am finally in contact with someone who I hope can give me answers from the city of Chicago. After hours on the phone and getting passed to everyone else I eventually got forwarded to a legal department. I am assume that they directed me there because of the cop's shitty "advice." Now I have a direct phone number to this guy who I have already explained my situation. Even though it might be a long shot, I am proposing to just pay the city. Now, he is currently working with the Department of Revenues to see if this is possible. We have played phone tag the last few days and I am still not sure what's going to happen.

 

You're on the right track now.

Dewers is right about the "go fuck yourself" method to the collection agency. I don't think I meant it literally. Be polite with them and ride the fence while you work things out with the city. If they are calling, state your intentions to pay the balance as soon as you get money. After your good with the city, inform them that the debt has been satisfied.

Legally, you are entitled to one free credit report from each of the three bureaus per year.
Have you checked your reports yet to find if you are even being reported?
http://www.equifax.com/home/en_us
http://www.transunion.com/
http://www.experian.com/