In 2024, Chicago’s speed cameras generated $90.9 million in fines and fees, marking a decrease of $11.3 million from 2023.
Mayor Brandon Johnson is responding to this drop by adding 50 new speed cameras in an effort to replenish the city’s revenue stream, with plans for 27 of them to begin issuing tickets by the end of June.
According to a recent analysis of city data obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request, Chicago’s speed cameras recorded a staggering 1.84 million violations, averaging a fine every 24 seconds.
Despite the high volume of penalties issued, the revenue decline poses a challenge for Mayor Johnson, who is looking for ways to support his budget.
Currently, 50 new speed cameras are expected to be operational throughout the year, increasing the total from 165.
Data from Chicago’s speed cameras shows that last year, 1.32 million of the violations led to fines, while the remainder resulted in warnings.
Interestingly, around two-thirds of the fines were paid promptly; however, more than half of the total revenue was derived from late fees.
For instance, a $35 citation can escalate to an $85 fine if not paid on time, while a $100 violation could cost a driver as much as $244 with additional penalties.
Besides issuing fines, speed cameras also sent out 523,044 warnings to drivers who avoided immediate penalties.
Among the existing speed cameras in Chicago, 13 issued over $1 million worth of fines last year, with one camera, in particular, surpassing $3 million in penalties.
The highest-earning camera was located at 10540 S. Western Ave. in the West Beverly neighborhood, bringing in a remarkable $3.19 million in fines.
The Southeast Side of Chicago emerged as the region most heavily ticketed, with cameras there averaging about 19,128 tickets per camera and generating an average of $646,142 in fines each.
In contrast, speed cameras on the Southwest Side issued the fewest tickets, averaging only 7,071 per camera.
In total, Chicago’s speed cameras issued 1,320,507 tickets with fines in 2024.
This represents a decrease of approximately 241,906 tickets from the previous year, correlating with the $11.3 million revenue loss for the city.
This trend of declining annual revenues has persisted since the ticketing threshold was lowered by former Mayor Lori Lightfoot in March 2021.
Despite a purported focus on enhancing road safety, data over a decade suggests a mixed impact from speed cameras.
A comprehensive city study indicates that total crashes decreased by 2% from 2012 to 2022 in areas surrounding speed cameras, contrasting a 27% increase in collisions citywide during the same period.
Speed-related crashes in these areas saw a decline of 16%, while bicycle and pedestrian crashes dropped by 44%.
Importantly, however, the study did not examine whether driving behaviors shifted outside of camera zones, leaving questions about the overall effectiveness of these measures.
A 2017 study in Great Britain indicated localized safety improvements near speed camera intersections, while research from Arizona found no significant effects on collisions from such cameras.
Similarly, an analysis from the University of Illinois-Chicago concluded there was little correlation between the number of violations and tangible safety improvements.
Critics question whether the cameras are genuinely intended to enhance safety or merely serve as a revenue-generating mechanism, particularly as Johnson seeks to bolster his budget in light of a projected $1.2 billion budget deficit for the fiscal year 2026.
During his final debate against rival Paul Vallas, Johnson promised to phase out speed cameras, expressing concerns over their role in generating revenue at the expense of equitable taxation.
He argued against the notion that lowering speed limits, which some view as a financial strategy, contributes positively to road safety.
Johnson advocated for alternative traffic calming measures such as reduced speed limits in select areas, establishing car-free zones, and improving infrastructure for cyclists and pedestrians.
With an eye on the budget, Johnson’s 2025 Chicago budget initially relied on an expectation that residents would pay around $325 million in fines, forfeit costs, and penalties.
This figure is about $22.3 million lower than what had been projected for the 2024 budget.
Through the addition of 50 new speed cameras, Johnson aims to secure an estimated $11.4 million in additional revenue to fund the upcoming budget.
However, despite these changes, city officials continue to assert that the primary purpose of speed cameras is to prioritize safety over financial gain.
image source from：https://www.illinoispolicy.org/chicago-speed-cameras-take-90-9-million-from-drivers-in-2024/
