Chicago Speed Cameras: Locations and Controversial Beliefs

Speed cameras continue to be a controversial topic, especially in big cities like Chicago. Many debate their usefulness in making streets safer, even when there continue to be dozens of repeat offenders. Along with talk surrounding placement, some citizens think that the placement of some of these cameras is specifically put in certain neighborhoods to target marginalized groups of people.

Below is a layered interactive map of Chicago showing the neighborhoods of Chicago as well as where every speed camera is found within city limits as of May 8, 2026. Data for this map was provided by the Chicago Data Portal.

[embed]Interactive map of Chicago speed cameras. Data by Chicago Data Portal. Map by Janya Herrera.

Last September there was mass coverage of new speed cameras that the city installed, as some were unhappy with Mayor Brandon Johnson’s focus on speed violations rather than violent crimes in the city or the rise in property taxes. Below is a comparison picture of the new vs. old speeding cameras. Many citizens were not fond of the new, more discreet look of these new speeding cameras.

One of the new speed cameras in Chicago at 3358 S. Ashland Ave. Photo-Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times.

An older speed camera in Chicago on Western Avenue in the Beverly neighborhood. Photo-Mack Liederman/Block Club Chicago.

What are your thoughts on speeding cameras in Chicago? Are they useful in keeping our streets safer, or do they just cause more headaches for everyday drivers while dismissing core safety concerns?