🚨 Where the Cameras Flash Most

Cameras on the South Side were by far the most active on a per-intersection basis. Averaging 9,692 tickets per intersection, these locations issued tickets 2.6 times higher than the citywide average, and more than three times the average number of tickets per intersection on the North Side.

Yet ironically, the North Side — with 46 of the city’s 151 monitored intersections — was where drivers racked up the most fines. In total, North Side drivers paid $7.3 million more than those on the South Side, despite each intersection generating fewer tickets. The West Side, with 33 intersections under surveillance, wasn’t far behind either, with drivers paying over $12.9 million in fines.

💰 Top Revenue-Generating Cameras

Just a small fraction of the city’s red-light cameras were responsible for the majority of ticket revenue. Out of 151 cameras:

• 33 cameras issued over half of all red-light tickets citywide

• 10 cameras each generated more than $1 million in fines

• 4 cameras surpassed the $1.5 million mark

The highest-earning intersection? Lake Shore Drive and Belmont Avenue in Lake View, a North Side neighborhood, which single-handedly generated $1.79 million in fines over the 12-month period.

⏱️ Late Fees and Long-Term Revenue

It’s important to note that these totals don’t include late fees. In Illinois, if a red-light ticket isn’t paid on time, the fine doubles — from $100 to $200. That means the true total paid by drivers could be much higher.

Since June 2016, red-light cameras in Chicago have generated over $601 million in revenue, making the city home to more red-light cameras than any other major U.S. city.

⚖️ Safety vs. Fairness Debate

While safety is the justification often given for these cameras, studies show the picture is far from clear. According to a 2018 Case Western Reserve University study, the number of dangerous T-bone crashes did decline in areas with red-light cameras — but the rate of rear-end collisions increased by 18%, leading to more total crashes.

Adding fuel to the fire, a Chicago Tribune investigation revealed that more than half of the intersections chosen for cameras were already among the state’s safest before the cameras were installed.

And then there’s the issue of equity.

A ProPublica study found that Black and Latino neighborhoods were disproportionately affected, with households in these ZIP codes receiving tickets at twice the rate of those in predominantly white neighborhoods.

📊 Disparity in Ticketing

💬 Policy and Future Plans

As revenue from speed cameras dropped in recent years, Mayor Brandon Johnson, who campaigned on a promise to remove them, reversed course and approved 50 more speed cameras to generate an additional $11.4 million in revenue.

This has raised questions: Is the city prioritizing public safety or financial need? And how long can the red-light system continue before it faces major pushback?

With fewer tickets being issued, falling revenues, and rising public frustration — especially in low-income communities — Chicago officials now face a critical juncture. Will more red-light and speed cameras be added in the name of traffic safety, or will the system be reevaluated in light of equity and effectiveness concerns?

Chicago’s red-light cameras—more watchful than ever—have sparked renewed scrutiny as new figures reveal sharp regional contrasts. South Side intersections top the list in average ticket volume, yet North Side drivers pay the highest fines. While overall ticket numbers fell by over 120,000 and revenue dipped $15.4 million from its peak, a select few cameras continue to produce millions. As debates grow around fairness, safety, and disproportionate impact on low-income areas, Chicago’s red-light camera network stands at a curious crossroad—balancing enforcement, equity, and economic interest under one flashing signal.

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