Local governments generated $500 million from red-light camera tickets since 2019, with Chicago alone collecting $223.8 million. Total since 2008: $1.56 billion.
By Patrick Andriesen | Illinois Policy Institute
Illinois local governments collected over $500 million in red-light camera ticket revenue from 2019 through 2023, according to an Illinois Policy Institute investigation.
That brings to more than $1.56 billion the red-light camera fines issued to Illinois drivers since 2008. Chicago cameras handed out most of that: over $915.5 million.
“The red-light cameras hit me personally three times,” said Terry Boone, a Winthrop Harbor resident and business owner. “I’m pretty conscious of these things and I really try to pay attention, especially in that little corridor in Waukegan, the ‘trap’ if you will.”
As of 2022, at least 527 red-light cameras were in 90 municipalities since the state allowed them in 2008 to expand beyond Chicago. Chicago first installed two red-light cameras in 2003 but now has 300. Plus, Chicago is the only Illinois city to operate 169 speed cameras that issued 1.56 million tickets worth $102 million in 2023.
An earlier investigation found red-light cameras issued over $1 billion in tickets from 2008 to 2018. This investigation updates that work to find another five years took another $500 million from drivers.
Where you’re likely to get ticketed
While there are 527 chances to be caught by a red-light camera, a few cameras are much more likely to nail drivers. Ten cameras each produced more than $1.5 million in tickets – with one reaping $3.3 million – just during 2022.
Since the state allowed the devices to expand beyond Chicago in 2008, fines have basically doubled from $53.5 million to about $100 million in recent years.
Cameras in the 89 municipalities outside Chicago have driven most of the increase.
Read more here.
Related: “Chicago speed cameras fined motorists over $102M in 2023”