Illinois Lawmakers Have Considered Statewide Bans on Red Light Cameras

Lawmakers in Springfield, Illinois are set to debate a new bill this week that could lead to a statewide ban on automated red light cameras—a move that may dramatically change how traffic enforcement is handled across the state.

Proposed Bill Could Eliminate Red Light Cameras in Illinois

The legislation, which has garnered bipartisan support from both leading Republicans and Democrats, seeks to eliminate the authority of counties and municipalities to use automated red light cameras. These systems, which automatically issue tickets to drivers who enter intersections after the light turns red, have been widely deployed throughout Chicago and its suburbs.

What remains unclear is whether the proposed ban would apply only to new camera installations or if existing red light cameras would be removed as well. Historically, similar efforts in other states have allowed existing contracts with camera vendors—such as Redflex and American Traffic Solutions (ATS)—to run their course before requiring removal.

Illinois Among the Top States for Red Light Cameras

According to PhotoEnforced.com, Illinois is one of the fastest-growing states for red light camera usage. The site tracks the growth of traffic enforcement cameras nationwide, and its open database reports over 700 monitored intersections across Illinois. More than two-thirds of those are located in Chicago, making it one of the most heavily monitored cities in the country.

The Ongoing Debate: Safety vs. Revenue

Supporters of red light cameras argue that they help reduce traffic collisions, especially at high-risk intersections. They claim the threat of a ticket encourages safer driving behavior and saves lives.

However, opponents argue that the cameras are more about generating revenue than improving road safety. Many critics cite short yellow light times and lack of due process as reasons to discontinue their use. Others point to data suggesting that while T-bone accidents may decline, rear-end collisions often increase due to sudden braking at camera-equipped intersections.

What's Next?

The outcome of Tuesday’s legislative session could determine the future of automated traffic enforcement in Illinois. If the bill passes, it may set a precedent for other states considering similar bans.

Drivers, local governments, and traffic safety advocates across Illinois will be closely watching to see whether lawmakers prioritize public safety or choose to pull the plug on a controversial enforcement tool.

List of Red Light Camera Programs Active & Discontinued in CA

Our database currently tracks approximately 49 cities that have active red light camera locations. California currently has 385+ active red light camera locations (intersections) remaining.  In the last 10 years approximately 75 cities have removed or shutdown red light camera programs in California.

Below is a list of cities that have active red light camera programs.  Please comment below if we need to update our information.  Some intersections have multiple cameras and this list only accounts for only the active intersection.

City	Cameras
Bakersfield	15
Beverly Hills	11
Canoga Park	3
Capitola	1
Carmichael	1
Cathedral City	4
Cerritos	3
Citrus Heights	10
Commerce	4
Covina	7
Culver City	14
Daly City	4
Del Mar	3
East Los Angeles	1
Elk Grove	6
Encinitas	3
Fremont	11
Garden Grove	7
Hawthorne	2
Hollywood	3
Los Alamitos	2
Los Angeles	78
Lynwood	1
Mar Vista	1
Menlo Park	5
Millbrae	1
Modesto	4
Montebello	7
Napa	3
Newark	2
N. Hollywood	3
Oxnard	10
Rancho Cordova	3
Redding	5
Redwood City	3
Sacramento	39
San Francisco	32
San Leandro	9
San Mateo	3
Santa Ana	14
Santa Clarita	7
Santa Cruz	1
Solana Beach	2
Tarzana	2
Van Nuys	7
Ventura	19
Vista	6
Winnetka	1
Woodland Hills	2
Grand Total	385

Below is a list of 75 cities in California that have removed cameras or shutdown red light camera programs. 

Anaheim, Baldwin Park, Bell Gardens, Belmont, Berkeley, Beverly Hills, Burlingame, Cerritos, Compton, Corona, Costa Mesa, Davis, El Cajon, El Monte, Emeryville, Escondido, Fairfield, Fresno, Fullerton, Gardena, Glendale, Grand Terrace, Hayward, Hesperia, Highland, Huntington Beach, Indian Wells, Inglewood, Irvine, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Woods, Lancaster, Loma Linda, Los Angeles, Manteca, Marysville, Melrose, Modesto, Montclair, Moreno Valley, Murrieta, Napa, Oakland, Oceanside, Orange, Paramount, Pasadena, Poway, Redlands, Redwood City, Riverside, Rocklin, Roseville, San Bernardino, San Carlos, San Diego, San Francisco, San Juan Capistrano, San Rafael, Santa Ana, Santa Clarita, Santa Fe Springs, Santa Rosa, South Gate, South San Francisco, Stockton, Turlock, Upland, Victorville, Vista, Walnut, West Hollywood, Whittier, Yuba City & Yucaipa

Do Red Light Running Cameras Really Reduce Crashes at Intersections?

Red light running cameras have been installed at busy intersections across the U.S. and other countries as a measure to reduce accidents caused by drivers running red lights. However, their effectiveness remains a topic of debate. Do these cameras actually reduce crashes, or are they simply revenue-generating tools for local governments? Let’s dive into the data and expert opinions to understand the real impact of red-light cameras on road safety.