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South Side gets 2.5X as many tickets per red-light camera as North Side

By Patrick Andriesen
11/11/2024
Red-light cameras on the city’s South Side issued the most tickets per intersection between October 2023 and September 2024, more than 2.5 times as many as cameras on the North Side. Citywide, fines are up to $61.4 million for past 12 months.

TAGS: red light cameras

Red-light cameras take another $500M from Illinois drivers in 5 years

By Patrick Andriesen
05/09/2024
Local governments generated $500 million from red-light camera tickets since 2019, with Chicago alone collecting $223.8 million. Total since 2008: $1.56 billion.

TAGS: red light cameras

Pritzker tells 2 state senators to resign after corruption allegations

By Patrick Andriesen
09/23/2022
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker is demanding resignations from two longtime Democratic state senators. One faces federal bribery charges in connection with red-light cameras. The other allegations of domestic abuse and harassment of a top staffer.

TAGS: red light cameras

State senator faces federal bribery charges in red-light camera scheme

By Dylan Sharkey
09/20/2022
Illinois state Sen. Emil Jones III is the latest politician charged with bribery as well as lying to the FBI in a corruption probe involving red-light cameras.

TAGS: red light cameras

Lightfoot allies delay speed camera vote

By Dylan Sharkey
06/24/2022
The Chicago City Council blocked a vote to repeal the lower speed camera ticket threshold, responsible for $59 million in tickets last year. Mayor Lori Lightfoot now has until July 20 to save a policy that issued more tickets than Chicago has residents.

TAGS: Chicago, Lori Lightfoot, red light cameras, speed cameras

Chicago-area mayor guilty in red light camera bribery scheme

By Dylan Sharkey
05/23/2022
Oakbrook Terrace’s former mayor pleaded guilty to federal bribery charges related to red light cameras and faces up to five years in prison. The state recently shut off the cameras.

TAGS: corruption, Oakbrook Terrace, red light cameras

Speed cameras issue more tickets in 2021 than Chicago has residents

By Patrick Andriesen, Jon Josko
04/03/2022
Chicago drivers were issued more speed tickets in 2021 than there are city residents. Annual ticket revenues doubled, but fatal crashes still increased.

TAGS: Chicago, red light cameras, traffic safety

Crestwood mayor resigns, pleads guilty to red-light camera bribery

By Patrick Andriesen
11/19/2021
Crestwood Mayor Louis Presta pleaded guilty to bribery, lying to federal authorities and tax charges as part of a pay-to-play red-light camera scheme. The cameras took $1 billion from Illinois drivers in a decade.

TAGS: Illinois, Louis Presta, red light cameras

Former state lawmaker used bribes to promote red-light cameras in Chicago suburb, feds charge

By Patrick Andriesen
04/27/2021
New federal corruption charges state a former Illinois House member conspired to use bribes to get a red-light traffic camera contract renewed and more of them installed in a suburban Chicago community. Traffic cameras collected $5.5 million during a decade in the suburb.

TAGS: bribery, corruption, red light cameras

Exposing insider politics of red-light cameras is aim of Illinois bill

By Patrick Andriesen
03/25/2021
After paying $1 billion in red-light camera fees, Illinoisans deserve to know more about how the devices are being pushed with their local political leaders.

TAGS: corruption, lobbying, red light cameras

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Center for Poverty Solutions / Research Report

Beyond degrees: Empowering Illinoisans through career-first education


Published June 3, 2025 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The best path to empowerment and success, especially for poor people, is work. Work allows us to prosper while providing dignity, upward mobility, the means to support ourselves and create value for others. It’s how we become thriving members of our community. Central to this process is our education...

View Report

Report Archive

Budget + Tax / Your Story

Allan Luzbetak

Labor / Policy Point

Process for unionizing non-state workers raises red flags

By Paul Kersey
06/19/2014
Illinois Policy In the News

CBS Chicago: Illinois’ highest-paid superintendent receives $400K per year to oversee 1,200 students

By Ted Dabrowski
05/02/2016

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