Chicago Red-Light Camera Tickets: Moving Violations Or Not?

Red-light cameras in Chicago are mounted on traffic lights at busy intersections, taking pictures of vehicles that run red lights. The camera captures the license plate, the driver, and the offence, and a ticket is sent to the driver. While these tickets can be costly, they are not considered moving violations and will not affect your driving record or insurance rates.

What happens if you ignore a red-light camera ticket in Chicago?

Red-light cameras in Chicago are installed at intersections to improve safety and reduce the number of crashes, particularly those that are likely to result in serious injuries or fatalities. When a camera captures a vehicle running a red light, a ticket is issued to the registered owner of the vehicle. While these tickets can be costly, ignoring them can lead to even more significant financial consequences and penalties.

If you ignore a red-light camera ticket in Chicago, the fine associated with the ticket will increase. In Illinois, if you fail to pay a red-light camera ticket by the due date, the amount you owe will double. So, not only will you be responsible for paying the original fine, but you will also have to pay an additional penalty for late payment.

Additionally, failing to address a red-light camera ticket can result in further enforcement actions by the city of Chicago. They have the authority to boot and seize your vehicle. This means that your car may be immobilized with a boot device, and you will incur additional towing and storage charges to release it. These charges can add up quickly, making it even more challenging to resolve the issue.

Moreover, ignoring a red-light camera ticket can have implications for your driving privileges. While the policy of suspending licenses for unpaid tickets has been discontinued as of July 2021, it is still crucial to take these tickets seriously and not ignore them. Accumulating multiple unpaid tickets or failing to address them for an extended period could potentially lead to more severe consequences regarding your driving privileges.

It is important to note that red-light camera tickets in Chicago are not considered moving violations. They are administrative violations, similar to parking tickets, and do not go on your driving record. However, this does not mean that you can simply disregard them without any repercussions. The financial and logistical consequences of ignoring these tickets can be significant.

To avoid additional fines and penalties, it is advisable to take prompt action upon receiving a red-light camera ticket. You have the option to pay the ticket within the specified timeframe or dispute the ticket by requesting an in-person hearing. While there are limited qualifying defenses for disputing a red-light ticket, exploring this option may be worthwhile in certain circumstances.

How much is a red-light camera ticket in Chicago?

Red-light cameras in Chicago are mounted on traffic lights at busy intersections, taking pictures of vehicles when they drive through a red light. The fine for running a red light in Chicago is $100, which increases to $200 if paid late. The fine for exceeding the speed limit by 6-10 mph is $35, and if your vehicle's recorded speed exceeds the limit by 11 mph or more, the fine increases to $100.

Red-light camera violations in Chicago are not considered moving violations. They are administrative violations, similar to parking tickets. These tickets do not affect your driving record or insurance rates.

If you receive a red-light camera ticket in Chicago, you have 21 days to pay or contest it. You can view the footage of the violation online and request an in-person hearing date by phone to dispute the ticket. However, there are limited qualifying defences available.

Ignoring a red-light camera ticket in Chicago can result in doubled fines and potential penalties, including the towing of your vehicle. Therefore, it is important to pay or contest the ticket promptly to avoid these consequences.

How long do you have to pay or dispute a red-light camera ticket in Chicago?

Red-light camera tickets in Chicago are not considered moving violations. They are administrative violations, similar to a parking ticket.

If you've received a red-light camera ticket in Chicago, you have 21 days to pay or contest it. Failing to do so within this timeframe will result in a late payment fee, doubling the amount to be paid. It is important to note the payment due date upon receiving the ticket to avoid these increased penalties for unpaid tickets.

The process of receiving a red-light camera ticket in Chicago typically begins with a flash from the camera at an intersection. Within five to seven business days, a ticket and notice will be sent to the vehicle's registered owner at their registered address. The ticket will include information on how to view the footage of the violation online. This 24-hour stream of the red-light intersection will be available for 30 days, while the footage of the specific violation can be viewed for up to two years.

While it is possible to dispute a red-light camera ticket, there are limited qualifying defences available. To contest the ticket, you can request an in-person hearing date by calling the City of Chicago's Ticket Helpline at 312-744-7275 or 312-744-7277 (TTY – Hearing Impaired).

Where are the red-light cameras in Chicago?

The City of Chicago has implemented a Red Light Camera Enforcement Program to improve safety on its streets by reducing the most dangerous types of crashes. The program was launched in 2003 with enforcement at just two intersections: Peterson and Western, and 55th and Western. As of January 2021, 149 intersections are enforced.

The locations of red light cameras are determined by analysing the crashes experienced at an intersection. Intersections are ranked based on the number of total crashes, the number of angle crashes, and the angle crash rate. The angle crash rate is the primary criterion used to identify locations for red-light camera installations and relocations.

The Chicago Department of Transportation offers the Chicago Traffic Tracker, which provides real-time updates on traffic, speed camera locations, and congestion information. Red light camera intersections are clearly marked with signs indicating if they are “photo enforced”.

You can view a map of the red light camera intersections on the official website of the City of Chicago. The map shows the location, first operational date, and approaches of the red light cameras.

What happens if the light turns red while you're in the intersection?

In Chicago, running a red light is a costly violation. The fine for running a red light is $100. However, if you were already in the intersection when the light turned red, you are not considered to have run the red light. In most areas, traffic cameras will not activate if a car was already in the intersection when the light turned red.

In Chicago, yellow lights have intervals of three seconds when the speed limit is 30 miles per hour or lower, and four seconds when it is 35 miles per hour or higher. This should give drivers ample time to clear the intersection. If you are approaching an intersection and the light turns yellow, you should have enough time to slow down and stop safely. If you speed up to get through the intersection, you could still be fined, especially if you entered the intersection on a yellow light.

In Chicago, red-light cameras are installed at intersections with a high frequency of crashes, particularly "T-bone" crashes, which are often caused by vehicles running red lights. The cameras are integrated with the traffic signal system and use 3D radar to detect vehicles approaching the intersection. When the cameras identify a vehicle entering the intersection after the signal has turned red, they record both still photographs and video footage of the vehicle, including the rear license plate. This information is then reviewed by the camera vendor and the City's Department of Revenue to verify that a violation has occurred.

If you receive a red-light camera ticket in Chicago, you can view the violation online and contest the ticket if necessary. You have 21 days to pay or contest the ticket; failing to do so will result in a doubled fine. It is important to note that red-light camera violations in Chicago are considered administrative violations, similar to parking tickets, and will not affect your driving record or insurance rates.

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