How to Access Footage from Chicago Traffic Cameras

Here is a useful guide for how to access footage from Chicago traffic cameras from our team of experienced car accident lawyers.

What Kind of Video Surveillance Is Legal in Illinois?

Automated enforcement uses cameras to capture vehicles and drivers breaking traffic laws. In Illinois, the Vehicle Code allows automated enforcement for the following:

• Speed enforcement for vehicles traveling through work zones by Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) and Illinois State Police (ISP)
• Speed enforcement in safety zones by the Chicago DOT; a map of traffic camera locations is available on the Chicago Traffic Tracker
• Red light violations on state and local roads in 8 Metro East and Chicago counties
• Railroad crossing gate violations
• School bus arm violations

Tipos de imágenes de cámaras de tráfico

Traffic cam footage of an accident scene with personal injuries or a traffic violation can come from a variety of sources, including:

• Actual traffic camera videos, like violation footage from red light cameras, red light camera feeds, or automated speed enforcement cameras
• Business security cameras
• Dashcam footage from police vehicles
• Other cameras like witness cellphones or home surveillance systems

Requesting traffic camera footage depends on the type of video that captured the car accident or traffic violation. To get the footage quickly, you may need to reach out to the City of Chicago, local law enforcement, or a lawyer.

How Can I Get Traffic Camera Video or Images from Chicago Red Light Cameras?

If you saw a flash at an intersection, a red light camera likely photographed your vehicle. A ticket should arrive at the registered owner’s address within 5-7 business days.

El sitio web de la ciudad de Chicago le permite:

• Search and pay for parking tickets
• View photos from parking tickets
• View speed camera videos
• View red light videos
• Contest tickets

Una vez que haya recibido una multa de una de las cámaras de semáforo en rojo de Chicago, puede ir a www.chicagophotociteweb.com/publicinq/ para ver vídeos y/o imágenes fijas de la presunta infracción de la cámara de semáforo en rojo. Necesitará su número de ticket y de matrícula para acceder a las imágenes.

How Can I View Speed Camera Videos or Images in Chicago?

To view photos, videos, and speed details of the alleged violation recorded by Chicago speed traffic cameras, visit www.violationinfo.com/Chicago/. Your ticket number and license plate number are required.

¿Cuánto tiempo conservan las imágenes las cámaras de tráfico?

In Chicago, red light cameras provide 24-hour streaming video, which is available for 30 days. Footage of red light violations can be accessed for up to two years.

You may have as few as 7 days to contest a ticket, so act quickly to obtain traffic camera footage for a violation.

¿Cómo puedo obtener otros tipos de imágenes de vídeo de un accidente de tráfico?

If you need video footage from sources like the City of Chicago’s 24-hour streaming cameras, red light cameras, or police observation cameras, you’ll need to submit a FOIA request.

Si ha sufrido lesiones en un accidente de tráfico, su abogado puede obtener este tipo de pruebas en vídeo para respaldar su caso.

Examples of Footage You Might Subpoena

In serious injury cases, a subpoena may be needed to obtain traffic camera footage, such as surveillance videos from businesses, parking garages, or private property. Your lawyer can handle these formal evidence requests after a car accident.

Otras pruebas

You might also need additional evidence for your case, such as police or accident reports. Learn more in our guide: How to Get a Police Report in Chicago.