Chicago officials are searching for feedback on the city’s speed cameras. 

The City of Chicago put out a survey this month, with a deadline of Aug. 25, to let residents weigh in on what they think of speed cameras throughout the city — with the goal of making the system more equitable. 

The survey comes after, in January, the City Council established a working group of aldermen, city officials and advocacy organizations to analyze and redesign how Chicago enforces speed limits. This Equity in Enforcement group has met biweekly since May, addressing concerns Chicagoans have about the current speed camera system and suggestions for how to reform it.  

These recommendations largely center around how Chicago can be more transparent and equitable with the speed camera system. Survey questions ask how to use funds from the camera’s speeding tickets (they currently go to a general corporate fund) and about the locations of cameras. 

Survey results will be shared at the City Council’s pedestrian safety committee hearing next month and used to change, or create new, policies.  

While the goal of Chicago’s speed cameras is to keep drivers from speeding, protecting the safety of pedestrians and bikers, studies show that Black and Hispanic drivers disproportionately get ticketed at higher rates. 

According to a 2022 ProPublica study, between 2015 and 2019, drivers living in ZIP codes that have a majority Black or Hispanic population were ticketed by cameras around twice as often as drivers in neighborhoods where a majority of residents are white. With predominantly Black neighborhoods seeing over $500 million in camera ticket penalties in the last 15 years since the ProPublica study was published, thousands of drivers have experienced suspended licenses, impounded vehicles and bankruptcy.  

Chicago started its speed enforcement program in 2013. Drivers receive a $35 fine if a speed camera catches them traveling up to 10 miles per hour over the speed limit, and a $100 fine if it’s over 11 miles per hour. 

This year, Mayor Brandon Johnson is adding 50 new cameras — a move that the Chicago Tribune reported was to finance $11 million worth of Chicago Police Department positions that are mandated by the federal consent decree. 

Find where speed cameras are in your neighborhood at https://data.cityofchicago.org/Transportation/Map-Speed-Camera-Locations/7ajp-yjhe  

Scan the QR Code to participate in the survey by Aug. 25th or fill out the survey here. 

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