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

Types of Traffic Camera Footage

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.

The City of Chicago website allows you to:

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

Once you have received a ticket from one of Chicago’s red light cameras, you can go to www.chicagophotociteweb.com/publicinq/ to view videos and/or stills of the alleged red light camera violation. You will need your ticket number and license plate number to access the footage.

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.

How Long Do Traffic Cameras Keep Footage?

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.

How Do I Get Other Types of Video Footage of a Car Accident?

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.

If you were injured in a car accident, your attorney can obtain this type of video evidence to support your case.

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.

Other Evidence

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.