Speed Camera Program Should Axe Late Fees, Boost Transparency To Be More Effective Report

Chicago's speed camera program, which has grown to over 200 cameras, has effectively slowed drivers, according to a recent city report. The Equity in Enforcement working group, formed to enhance the program's fairness, recommends eliminating late fees and creating a public dashboard for tracking camera revenue. Criticism has emerged regarding the cameras' disproportionate impact on Black and Latino communities, raising concerns about equity in enforcement. Ald. Daniel La Spata, who leads the pedestrian safety committee, stresses the importance of clarifying the motivations behind the speed cameras.

Since its launch in 2013, the program has generated hundreds of millions in revenue, with $69 million reported in 2023. The report's recommendations aim to make the system more transparent and equitable, addressing public concerns about its legitimacy. A recent public survey garnered around 1,700 responses, informing the group's proposals. The implementation of these recommendations could reshape the perception and effectiveness of the speed camera program in Chicago.