What a Chicago speed camera ticket is and how you get one
A Chicago speed camera ticket is a citation issued by mail when a camera operated by the city catches your vehicle exceeding the posted speed limit. The camera records your license plate, vehicle make and model, the date, time, and your speed. Chicago does not issue these tickets through police officers; instead, the city contracts with a vendor to operate the cameras and process the citations.
You will receive the ticket in the mail, typically two to four weeks after the violation. The envelope contains a photo of your vehicle, the location where you were speeding, the recorded speed, the posted limit, and the fine amount. The ticket will have a case number and instructions for how to respond.
Chicago operates speed cameras in school zones (20 mph limit) and residential areas (30 mph limit). The city has placed cameras near schools, parks, and on residential streets throughout the city. You cannot receive a speed camera ticket on expressways or highways.
Key Takeaways
- Speed camera tickets arrive by mail and show a photo of your vehicle, the speed recorded, and the fine amount due.
- Chicago fines range from $35 for speeds 6 to 10 mph over the limit up to $100 for speeds 26 mph or more over the limit in school zones.
- You have 21 days from the ticket date to respond by paying, requesting a hearing, or contesting the ticket in writing.
- Requesting a hearing before the Department of Administrative Hearings does not require you to appear in person and does not add points to your driving record.
- If you do not respond within 21 days, the city may refer the debt to a collection agency and suspend your vehicle registration.
Fine amounts and what they depend on
Chicago speed camera fines are based on how far over the limit you were traveling. The fine structure is the same whether the camera was in a school zone or residential area, though the posted speed limits differ.
Fines start at $35 for speeds 6 to 10 mph over the limit and increase in $25 increments for each 5 mph bracket. A violation of 11 to 15 mph over costs $60. A violation of 16 to 20 mph over costs $85. A violation of 26 mph or more over the limit costs $100. These are the base fines; the city may add processing fees to the total amount due.
Speed camera tickets do not add points to your driving record and do not affect your insurance rates. The ticket is a civil violation, not a criminal one, and does not appear on your driving history with the Secretary of State.
Your three options for responding to the ticket
When you receive a speed camera ticket, you have three paths: pay the fine, request a hearing, or contest the ticket in writing. You must choose one within 21 days of the ticket date shown on the citation.
Pay the fine. You can pay online through the city's website using the case number on the ticket, by mail, or in person at a Chicago Department of Finance office. Paying means you accept the violation. Once you pay, the matter is closed and you cannot later contest it.
Request a hearing. You can request a hearing before the Department of Administrative Hearings without admitting guilt. You do not have to appear in person; you can submit your response in writing or by phone. At the hearing, you can present evidence that the camera was malfunctioning, that the speed limit sign was obscured, that the photo does not clearly show your vehicle, or other defenses. The hearing officer will decide whether the violation stands. This option does not cost extra and does not add points to your record.
Contest the ticket in writing. You can send a written statement to the Department of Administrative Hearings explaining why you believe the ticket is incorrect. Include the case number and any supporting evidence, such as photos of the location or documentation that your vehicle was not the one in the photo. Mail your response to the address listed on the ticket within 21 days.
How to request a hearing and what to expect
To request a hearing, write to the Department of Administrative Hearings at the address shown on your ticket or submit your request online through the city's website. Include your case number, your name, address, and phone number. State that you are requesting a hearing and briefly explain why you believe the ticket is incorrect.
The Department of Administrative Hearings will send you a notice with a hearing date and time. Hearings are typically held by phone or videoconference; you do not need to travel to an office. On the hearing date, you will speak with a hearing officer who will review the photo, the speed recorded, and your explanation. You can present documents, photos, or witness statements that support your case.
Common defenses include that the speed limit sign was not clearly visible, that the camera was not properly calibrated, that the photo does not clearly show your vehicle's license plate, or that you were not the registered owner at the time of the violation. The hearing officer will issue a decision within a few weeks. If the officer finds in your favor, the ticket is dismissed and you owe nothing. If the officer upholds the ticket, you must pay the fine.
What happens if you do not respond within 21 days
If you do not pay, request a hearing, or contest the ticket in writing by the important date, the city will send you a notice of default. You will then owe the original fine plus a late fee. The city may refer the debt to a collection agency, which will attempt to collect the amount owed.
Chicago can also suspend your vehicle registration if you do not respond to speed camera tickets. The suspension remains in place until you pay the fine or resolve the ticket through a hearing. You cannot renew your registration online or by mail while a suspension is active.
If your vehicle registration is suspended, you cannot legally drive the vehicle. Police can stop you and issue a citation for driving with a suspended registration, which carries separate fines and potential criminal charges. Resolving the speed camera ticket will lift the suspension, but you must then pay any reinstatement fees to restore your registration.
Defenses that work and defenses that do not
Some defenses are effective at hearings; others are not. A defense that works must show that the camera made an error, that the photo does not clearly identify your vehicle, or that the speed limit was not properly posted.
Defenses that may succeed: The speed limit sign was obscured, damaged, or missing. The photo does not clearly show your license plate or vehicle. The camera was not properly maintained or calibrated. You were not the registered owner at the time of the violation. Your vehicle was not the one in the photo (for example, a similar model or color).
Defenses that typically do not work: You did not see the speed limit sign. You were not aware you were speeding. You were following other vehicles. You were rushing to an emergency. The fine is too high. You have a clean driving record. You were only slightly over the limit.
Bring any evidence that supports your defense. If the photo is unclear, print it and mark the areas you believe show the photo is not conclusive. If the speed limit sign was obscured, take a current photo of the location showing the obstruction. If you have a dash camera recording from that date and time, that can be powerful evidence.
How speed camera tickets differ from police-issued speeding tickets
Speed camera tickets and police-issued speeding tickets are handled differently by the city and have different consequences for your driving record and insurance.
A speed camera ticket is a civil violation that does not add points to your driving record and does not affect your insurance rates. A police-issued speeding ticket is a traffic violation that adds points to your record (typically 20 to 50 points depending on how far over the limit you were) and can increase your insurance premiums. Police tickets can also result in a criminal charge if you were significantly over the limit or in a school zone.
Speed camera tickets are processed by the Department of Administrative Hearings. Police tickets are handled by the traffic court system. Speed camera tickets cannot result in jail time or a suspended license. Police tickets can, depending on the circumstances and your driving history.
If you receive both a speed camera ticket and a police ticket for the same violation, you must respond to both separately. The speed camera ticket goes to the Department of Administrative Hearings; the police ticket goes to traffic court.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay a speed camera ticket online?
Yes. Go to the City of Chicago's Department of Finance website, enter your case number from the ticket, and pay by credit card or debit card. You can also pay by mail by sending a check to the address on the ticket or in person at a Department of Finance office. Payment must be received within 21 days of the ticket date to avoid late fees and registration suspension.
Will a speed camera ticket increase my car insurance rates?
No. Speed camera tickets do not add points to your driving record and are not reported to insurance companies. Your rates will not increase because of a speed camera ticket. A police-issued speeding ticket, by contrast, does add points and can increase your rates.
What if the photo on the ticket does not clearly show my license plate?
Request a hearing and explain that the photo does not clearly identify your vehicle. Bring a printed copy of the photo and mark the areas where the plate is unclear. The hearing officer will review whether the photo provides sufficient evidence that your vehicle was the one speeding. If the plate is not legible, the officer may dismiss the ticket.
Can I get a speed camera ticket dismissed if I was only 5 mph over the limit?
Being slightly over the limit is not a defense that typically succeeds at a hearing. However, you can still request a hearing and present other defenses, such as that the speed limit sign was not visible or that the photo does not clearly show your vehicle. The hearing officer will consider all evidence, not just how far over the limit you were.
What happens if I ignore a speed camera ticket?
If you do not respond within 21 days, the city will add late fees to the original fine and may refer the debt to a collection agency. Chicago can also suspend your vehicle registration, which means you cannot legally drive the vehicle. You must resolve the ticket and pay any reinstatement fees to restore your registration.