Chicago Camera Tickets: What You Need To Pay

If you've received a camera ticket in Chicago, you may be wondering if you need to pay it. The short answer is yes, you do have to pay camera tickets in Chicago. These tickets are administrative violations and are not considered moving violations, so they won't affect your driver's license or insurance if you pay them. However, failing to pay these tickets on time can result in doubled fines and potential penalties, such as the towing of your vehicle. The City of Chicago offers payment plans to help motorists pay off their outstanding tickets and avoid vehicle immobilization. It's important to note that once you receive a Notice of Final Determination, you can no longer challenge the ticket unless proper notice was not given.

What happens if you don't pay camera tickets in Chicago?

Failing to pay camera tickets in Chicago can result in a range of consequences, from fines to vehicle seizure. Here's what you need to know:

Increased Fines

If you don't pay your camera ticket by the due date, the fine will increase. In Chicago, you have 21 days to pay or contest a ticket. Failing to do so within this timeframe will result in a late payment fee, typically doubling the amount owed. This means a $100 fine for running a red light will increase to $200 if paid late.

Vehicle Seizure

The City of Chicago can take action to seize your vehicle if you have unpaid tickets. They may do this by booting or towing your car. The Department of Finance offers payment plans to help vehicle owners avoid vehicle immobilization. These plans allow for payments over time, with options for both those seeking to avoid booting and those who have already had their vehicle booted.

Suspension of Driver's License

In the past, failing to pay camera tickets could result in the suspension of your driver's license. However, as of July 2021, this policy was dropped in Illinois. So, while your license won't be suspended for unpaid camera tickets, it's still crucial to pay or contest tickets within the given timeframe to avoid increased fines and potential vehicle seizure.

Impact on Driving Record and Insurance Rates

It's important to note that camera tickets in Chicago are considered administrative violations, not moving violations. This means they won't appear on your driving record or affect your insurance rates. However, they can still result in significant fines if left unpaid.

In summary, while there may not be direct consequences on your driving record or insurance, ignoring camera tickets in Chicago can lead to financial penalties and the potential loss of your vehicle if left unpaid. It's always best to address these tickets promptly to avoid escalating penalties and stay in good standing with the law.

Can you ignore a camera ticket in Chicago?

If you've received a camera ticket in Chicago, you may be wondering if you can simply ignore it and make it go away. Unfortunately, the answer is no—ignoring a camera ticket will only make things worse. While you may be tempted to throw the ticket in the trash and forget about it, doing so can result in several negative consequences.

Firstly, failing to pay a camera ticket in Chicago will result in a fine. The longer you ignore it, the higher the fine will become. In Chicago, you have 21 days to pay or contest a ticket. Failing to do so within this timeframe will result in a late payment fee, doubling the amount you have to pay. So, not only will you be responsible for the original fine, but you'll also have to pay an additional penalty for not taking care of it promptly.

Secondly, if you continue to ignore the ticket, the City of Chicago has the authority to seize your vehicle. They can do this by booting or towing your car, which will result in even more fees. You'll have to pay towing charges and daily vehicle storage costs, which can quickly add up and become a significant financial burden.

Moreover, while this is no longer the case, in the past, ignoring a camera ticket could have resulted in a suspended license. While this is no longer a penalty, there are still plenty of other consequences to deal with.

In addition to the financial penalties, the process of dealing with a camera ticket can be stressful and time-consuming. You may have to spend time and energy navigating the bureaucracy and dealing with the consequences of your ignored ticket. This can be a hassle and cause unnecessary stress in your life.

Finally, it's important to remember that these tickets are issued for a reason. The Red Light Camera Enforcement Program in Chicago was created to increase safety on the streets by reducing dangerous crashes, especially those that occur at intersections. By ignoring your ticket, you're not only causing problems for yourself but you're also contributing to a culture of unsafe driving.

In conclusion, while it may be tempting to ignore a camera ticket, it's important to remember the consequences that come with it. Not only will you face financial penalties, but you'll also be contributing to unsafe driving conditions in Chicago. It's always best to pay these tickets promptly or, if you believe the ticket was issued in error, to contest it through the proper channels.

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

Red-light cameras in Chicago are installed at busy intersections to capture vehicles that drive through a red light. These cameras are designed to improve safety on the streets of Chicago by reducing the number of dangerous crashes.

If you are caught by a red-light camera in Chicago, you will receive a ticket in the mail. The fine for a red-light violation in Chicago is $100. This fine will double to $200 if you do not pay it by the due date. In Chicago, you typically have 21 days to pay or contest a ticket.

If you do not pay a red-light camera ticket in Chicago, there can be further consequences. The City of Chicago can seize your vehicle by booting or towing it. Additionally, the Illinois Secretary of State can suspend your driver's license for failing to pay.

It is important to note that red-light camera tickets in Chicago are considered administrative violations, not moving violations. This means they will not negatively affect your driver's license or insurance if you pay them. However, they can be costly and stressful to deal with, so it is best to obey traffic signals and avoid getting a ticket in the first place.

How long do you have to pay a camera ticket in Chicago?

In Chicago, you have 21 days to pay or contest a red-light camera ticket. If you fail to do so within this timeframe, the fine will double. Therefore, it's important to make a note of the payment due date when you receive the ticket to avoid these increased penalties.

Once you've received a Notice of Final Determination, you can no longer challenge the ticket unless the City failed to give proper notice. If you have unpaid tickets, the City can seize your vehicle by booting or towing it. Furthermore, the Illinois Secretary of State can and will suspend your driver's license for failing to pay.

If you are unable to pay your ticket in full, the Department of Finance offers payment plans for motorists with outstanding red-light camera violations. Vehicle owners can make payments over time while avoiding vehicle immobilization (booting). Payment plans are also available to motorists who have already had their vehicle booted.

Where are the red light cameras in Chicago?

Red-light cameras were first installed in Chicago in 2003, with enforcement at just two intersections: Peterson and Western, and 55th and Western. Since then, additional intersections have been added based on crash frequency, crash type, and severity, as well as community input and Aldermanic support. As of January 2021, there are 149 enforced intersections, with over 300 intersections now having cameras installed.

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".

The locations of red light cameras are determined through an analysis of the crashes experienced at an intersection. Potential 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 City of Chicago's website offers a map of current red-light camera intersection locations, which can be viewed by the public.

Frequently asked questions