Rep. La Shawn Ford (D-IL) has called for an investigation into what he describes as racial profiling  by Chicago’s red-light cameras, arguing that Black drivers on the city’s South Side are being unfairly targeted. Ford points to data showing that cameras in predominantly Black neighborhoods issued more than twice as many tickets as those in the North Side. However, experts suggest that the focus on race overlooks a more straightforward explanation – traffic patterns.

According to the Illinois Policy Institute, red-light cameras on the South Side issued an average of 9,132 tickets, generating $61.4 million in fines, compared to the 5,521 tickets from North Side cameras. Ford claims these statistics reveal a bias against Black drivers, but many argue that this interpretation is misleading. Cameras simply capture violations as they happen – they do not target specific races.

The cameras are designed to catch anyone who runs a red light, and the higher number of tickets on the South Side may be more about traffic behavior than race. Areas with heavier traffic or more congested intersections naturally see more violations. In this case, the South Side is known for its higher traffic volumes and more complex driving conditions, which could explain the higher ticket numbers.

Ford’s concerns also highlight the broader impact of these fines, particularly on low-income families. Repeated tickets can lead to vehicle booting or towing, exacerbating financial hardship. However, the issue lies not in racial bias, but in the unintended consequences of the ticketing system itself, which disproportionately affects lower-income individuals regardless of race.

While Ford insists that racial profiling might be at play, many critics believe the focus on race distracts from the real issue — whether red-light cameras are effectively improving safety or simply acting as a revenue-generating tool. Chicago’s red-light cameras, the most numerous in the nation, have generated $915 million in revenue from 2008 through 2023, leading to further debates on whether the system’s primary goal is to reduce accidents or to increase fines.

In the end, the argument over whether race is a factor is beside the point. Red-light cameras are simply catching more violations in areas with higher traffic, regardless of who is behind the wheel.