Red light cameras: Chicago Heights, Rolling Meadows, Evergreen Park, Hillside, Burbank make millions, but who reviews the tickets?
Share this @internewscast.com

CHICAGO (WLS) — They flash, they fine, and they fuel tens of millions of dollars in city and suburban revenue.

But the I-Team found that in some communities, just one or two people are deciding whether you get that $100 ticket in the mail.

ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch

“It should be more than one review officer,” said Juliette Elliot, who was ticketed in Hillside.

In west suburban Hillside, under the Freedom of Information Act, ABC7 found that just one former police officer reviews all camera footage.

Myanna Ramos says her ticket should have been thrown out before she contested in court. Ultimately, it was dismissed.

“They mistakenly sent me a ticket meant for someone who was behind me, even though I stopped before them. It was simply an error in judgment,” said Myanna Ramos, who received a ticket in Hillside.

The village of Hillside refused an on-camera interview but mentioned that one person is sufficient, and noted that “only 40% of potential infractions result in tickets issued to drivers.”

The I-Team discovered that over the past four years, Hillside has collected more than $4.2 million through red light camera fines. Hillside claims the number of issued tickets has decreased because fewer people are driving recklessly.

In south suburban Chicago Heights, the I-Team found that in December of last year, there was also only one reviewing officer. But as of this April, they had two. In the last four years, the city made almost $4 million in red light revenue.

And drivers contesting tickets are not happy.

“They needed a team to review these tickets,” said Otis Haywood, who was ticketed in Chicago Heights.

Another driver said he stopped, but switched lanes during a red light, and went through the light when it was green. His ticket was not dismissed.

“I mean, I feel it is so, it’s unfair. I mean, it’s still green light. And then they didn’t, I mean, it’s crazy,” said Don Kvasnicka, who was ticketed in Chicago Heights.

A Chicago Heights spokesperson says the officers assigned to review tickets “have been thorough and efficient in their work” and that the police department “routinely reassesses and rebalances its workforce as workload requires.”

READ MORE | Some Chicago drivers with ticket debt could be eligible for relief

“That stop line is too far back. I think that’s the trap,” said Reginald Jones, who was ticketed in Evergreen Park.

Drivers in south suburban Evergreen Park who say they stopped are also fuming. The I-Team found that it is the number one suburb for red light camera revenue, making more than $9.3 million in the last four years.

“It’s a lot of money,” said Jim Carmen, who was ticketed in Evergreen Park.

That suburb only has two people reviewing videos before tickets are sent to drivers. Carmen had to go to court to contest his ticket, and he won.

“I got mine dismissed, because I did come to a stop, and it came to a stop after the white line,” Carmen said.

ABC7 emailed Evergreen Park officials and did not hear back.

ABC7 also did not hear back from the number two suburb for red light revenue, south suburban Burbank, which made almost $8.5 million in the last four years.

RELATED | Some Chicago red light camera intersections have shorter green lights, rack up millions in fines

Northwest suburban Rolling Meadows is ranked third, with $8.1 million in the last four years. The city manager there, Rob Sabo, spoke to the I-Team.

“The ultimate goal of them is to prevent individuals driving through red lights,” Sabo said.

When pressed on the large sum the city has made from red light cameras, Sabo said, “I will say that we are not balancing or budget on the basis of having red light cameras… The budgeted amount is equivalent of 1% of our complete of our total operating budget in the city.”

Rolling Meadows has five reviewing officers. Other municipalities have even more. The city of Chicago has nine, but in the last four years, it generated more than $227 million in revenue from red light cameras.

Mark Wallace, of Citizens to Abolish Red Light Cameras, questions the reviewing process, especially when they may only be one or two people looking.

“So, it is virtually impossible that one person can review thousands upon thousands of what they call incidents or violations and be accurate about that,” Wallace said.

Despite those high revenue numbers, many drivers are choosing to not pay tickets. For example, in the number one suburb. Evergreen Park, only 48% of people ticketed paid in the last four years. In the city of Chicago, 70% of people paid.

Copyright © 2025 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Minnesota lawmaker shooting suspect armed, dangerous, may be trying to flee area

Minnesota Lawmaker Shooter Considered Armed and Dangerous, Possibly Attempting to Escape Area

The Minnesota BCA shared more details and photos of Vance Luther Boelter.…
Colorado's highest helicopter rescue saves two on Torreys Peak

Helicopter Rescues Two People from Colorado’s Torreys Peak

Torreys Peak holds the distinction of being the 11th or 12th tallest…
Police cars at a shelter-in-place scene.

Minnesota Democrat Residences Targeted in Overnight Attacks: Gunman Impersonating Officer Shoots Three

AT least three people have reportedly been shot at the homes of…
4 detainees have escaped from an immigration detention center in Newark, New Jersey, DHS says

Four inmates have broken out from an immigration detention facility in Newark, New Jersey, according to the Department of Homeland Security.

Four detainees managed to break through a wall and escape from a…
Hochul eying NYC Council Speaker Adrienne Adams for lieutenant governor

Hochul Considers NYC Council Speaker Adrienne Adams for Lieutenant Governor Role

NYC Council Speaker Adrienne Adams has her eyes on Albany if her…
The love of my life died in my apartment — I'm scared to be alone now

My Partner Passed Away at Home — Now I’m Afraid to Be Alone

DEAR ABBY: I recently lost the love of my life, who passed…
'No Kings Day' protests in Chicago, suburbs today: Rallies against ICE raids, Trump's military parade in DC for Army's 250th

Chicago and Suburbs Host ‘No Kings Day’ Protests Today: Demonstrations Oppose ICE Raids and Trump’s Military Parade in DC for Army’s 250th Anniversary

CHICAGO (WLS) — As the military parade in D.C. takes place, the…
Iran claims right to nuclear prowess following Israel strikes, but remains silent on negotiations with US

Iran Asserts Right to Nuclear Power After Israel Strikes, Remains Quiet on US Talks

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! Iran on Friday confirmed…
2 Minnesota state lawmakers shot in their homes early Saturday

Two Minnesota State Legislators Shot at Their Homes Early Saturday

CHAMPLIN, Minn. (AP) — A Minnesota mayor says two state lawmakers were…
Minnesota's slain Democratic leader saw liberal victories, then brokered a budget deal out of power

Minnesota’s Murdered Democratic Leader Witnessed Liberal Successes Before Negotiating a Budget Agreement from Outside Power

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A murdered Minnesota legislator was the leading Democrat in…

Minnesota Suspect in Shooting Death of Democrat Melissa Hortman and Injury of Second Lawmaker Was Appointed by Gov. Tim Walz

THE suspect in the Minnesota shootings has been identified as a former appointee…
About 60 people arrested after veterans' anti-ICE demonstration in Washington, DC, police say

Approximately 60 Arrested During Veterans’ Anti-ICE Protest in Washington, DC

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! Approximately 60 people were…