TL;DR – Red light camera tickets in Illinois do not directly affect your auto insurance rates. It’s because Illinois treats these citations like a parking ticket. They are civil infractions, not moving violations, so they don’t appear on your driving record. Insurers typically only raise premiums for violations that go on your record (e.g. speeding, DUI).
Why Not: Under Illinois law, an automated red-light ticket is not considered a traffic offense and carries no license points. The ticket is issued to the vehicle’s owner by mail with a fine (usually $100) but no court conviction. Since it never hits your driving record, your insurer has no official notice of it – meaning one camera ticket won’t hike your rate. (Always pay or contest the fine, though. Ignoring multiple tickets can lead to consequences like a license suspension after five unpaid violations.)
Only a few states (not Illinois) treat red-light camera tickets as moving violations. For example, in Arizona a camera citation can carry 2 points on your license, and in California it’s about a $500 fine plus 1 point – which can impact insurance. By contrast, Illinois and most states classify camera tickets as non-moving violations with no points and no insurance effect. Red-light running remains a serious safety issue (it caused 1,149 U.S. deaths in 2022 alone), but Illinois’ policy ensures automated enforcement penalties stay financial (fines) rather than insurance-related. (Need help with Illinois auto insurance? Call Insure On The Spot at 773-202-5060.)
What Are Red Light Cameras and How Do They Work?
Red light cameras are automated traffic enforcement devices that photograph vehicles running red lights at intersections. They’re typically mounted on poles with sensors tied to the traffic light circuit. If a car enters the intersection after the light has turned red, the camera snaps a photo (and often a short video) of the vehicle and its license plate. The registered owner then receives a ticket notice by mail with the date, time, and intersection of the violation, often including a link to view the photo or video evidence. The notice will list a fine (in Illinois, generally $100 for a red-light camera violation) and a due date to pay or contest the ticket.
These cameras allow local police to enforce red-light laws without needing an officer at every intersection. They were first introduced in the early 1990s, and their use has expanded across the country. As of 2023, 337 U.S. communities operate red-light camera programs. Currently, 23 states plus Washington, D.C. permit red-light cameras in at least some areas. For example, states like California and Florida allow them statewide, while others like Illinois, Iowa, and Missouri authorize them only in specific cities or jurisdictions.
When you approach an intersection with a red-light camera, you’ll usually see warning signs. If you run the red light, the system records your license plate. Importantly, the ticket is issued to the vehicle owner, not necessarily the driver. (Illinois law makes the registered owner liable for any automated traffic law violation, regardless of who was driving.) Because of this, the violation is treated as a civil offense rather than a moving violation against a driver’s license.
Why Are Red Light Cameras Controversial?
Red light cameras have sparked controversy since their introduction. Critics believe that many cities use them primarily to generate revenue, not improve safety. Significant money being involved serves as evidence. In Illinois alone, local governments collected about $1.5 billion in red-light camera fines from 2008 to 2023. Chicago, one of the most heavily monitored cities, has over 300 cameras and brought in over $900 million in ticket revenue in that period. These funds often support municipal budgets, but they also lead some to question the cameras’ true motivation.
Another concern is that cameras might lead to unintended driving behavior. While their goal is to deter drivers from running reds (and thus prevent deadly T-bone collisions), they can cause other types of crashes. For instance, a Chicago study found that after cameras were installed, right-angle (T-bone) crashes decreased by 15%, but rear-end crashes with injury increased by 22%. The jump in rear-end accidents is often attributed to drivers braking abruptly at camera intersections to avoid tickets, only to be hit from behind. This mixed outcome fuels debate over whether the safety benefits outweigh the risks.
There are also legal and privacy debates. Some drivers feel it’s unfair to ticket the car owner when they might not have been the one driving. Others contest that automated enforcement deprives drivers of the chance to face an accuser (since no officer is present), raising due-process issues. In fact, the Missouri Supreme Court struck down one city’s red-light camera ordinance, finding it unconstitutional partly due to due-process problems. Likewise, several states have banned red-light cameras entirely on policy grounds. As of 2025, at least 8 states outlaw red-light cameras, including Texas, Maine, Mississippi, Montana, New Hampshire, South Carolina, South Dakota, and West Virginia. In these states, the law prohibits cities from using automated cameras for ticketing (often after public backlash or voter referendums).
On the other side of the argument, proponents cite data that cameras do improve safety when implemented correctly. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, red-light camera programs in large cities have reduced fatal red-light running crash rates by 21%. By catching red-light runners, cameras can modify driver behavior over time. Advocates also note that driving on public roads is a regulated activity – there isn’t an expectation of privacy at a public intersection. From this view, cameras are simply an efficient extension of traffic law enforcement, freeing up police for other duties and consistently catching violations that would otherwise go unchecked.
Can a Red Light Camera Ticket Affect My Insurance Rates?
In most U.S. jurisdictions, a red-light camera ticket will not directly affect your insurance, because it isn’t treated as a moving violation on your driving record. Insurance companies primarily base rates on the violations and accidents listed in your official driving record. If a camera ticket doesn’t show up there, your insurer likely won’t know about it (unless you voluntarily tell them). For this reason, in the majority of states, getting a camera-generated ticket won’t cause any insurance increase.
However, there are exceptions. Illinois falls in the no-points, no-insurance-impact category. States like Arizona and California attach license points to camera tickets, so a violation will hit your record and likely count against you for insurance rating. By contrast, states such as Illinois or New York explicitly define these tickets as non-moving violations (no points) and even bar their use for insurance underwriting. Always be sure to know your own state’s policy. If you get a camera ticket while traveling out-of-state, the rules of that state determine if it’s reported on your record or not.
It’s also important to note that even where camera tickets don’t directly affect your insurance, habitual violations can still hurt you indirectly. For example, if you accumulate unpaid camera fines, you could face registration blocks or a license suspension (which will impact your insurance). Additionally, multiple tickets might suggest risky driving habits, which could lead to incidents that do affect insurance. But one or two paid camera tickets in isolation, in most places, should leave your premiums untouched.
What Happens if I Get a Red Light Camera Ticket in Illinois?
If you receive a red-light camera ticket in Illinois, don’t panic. It’s more like a hefty parking ticket than a moving violation. Here’s what to expect:
No Impact on Your Driving Record
The violation is not reported to the Illinois Secretary of State. It won’t appear on your driving record, won’t add any license points, and won’t be factored into insurance point systems. Illinois law explicitly states these camera violations are “not considered a violation of a traffic regulation and not recorded on driving record.” Your auto insurer, which typically checks your official record at renewal time, will not see any reference to a red-light camera ticket.
Fines and Payment
The standard fine is $100 for each red-light camera citation in Illinois. The ticket notice will outline how to pay (online, mail, phone, or in-person) and give a due date by which you must pay or contest the ticket. If you believe you didn’t actually run the light (for example, the camera caught you lawfully turning on red or you weren’t driving), you have the right to contest. Otherwise, you should pay the fine on time. Missing the payment deadline will incur a late fee, often another $100, effectively doubling the ticket to $200. Continual non-payment can lead to collections and additional penalties.
Multiple Tickets
What if you get several red-light camera tickets? Even then, each ticket remains a civil fine. Two or three camera tickets won’t directly change your insurance rates as long as you pay them. There is no point system for these, so Illinois doesn’t suspend your license just because you have multiple camera violations on record (since they’re not on the “record” at all). However, be cautious: if you fail to pay camera tickets, consequences do escalate. Illinois law allows authorities to suspend your driver’s license if you have five or more unpaid automated camera tickets. In other words, ignoring a single ticket is not wise, and ignoring multiple tickets is a really bad idea. A license suspension will be reported to insurers and can lead to major premium hikes or even policy cancellation.
No Insurance Hike
To re-emphasize, Illinois insurance companies do not count red-light camera tickets. They’re not allowed to, since the infraction isn’t on your public driving abstract. So if you promptly pay your fine, you should see no change in your insurance policy. Your rate won’t go up from the ticket, and you won’t be required to file an SR-22 or anything of that sort, because no violation was reported in the eyes of state driving records.
Drive Safely
Even though a camera ticket in Illinois won’t raise your insurance, running red lights is dangerous. Red-light cameras exist because intersections can be high-risk zones. Always err on the side of caution: it’s better to stop on yellow than gamble on a red. Aside from the $100 hit to your wallet, the worst outcome of running a red light could be an accident causing injury or death.
(If you have questions about how any violation might affect your auto coverage, the friendly team at Insure On The Spot is here to help. We’ve assisted over a million Illinois drivers since 1986 in finding affordable car insurance for every situation. Feel free to contact us at 773-202-5060 to discuss your policy needs or get a quick quote!).
FAQ: Red Light Camera Tickets & Insurance in Illinois
Q: Do red light camera tickets go on your driving record in Illinois?
A: No. Illinois law treats red-light camera tickets as non-moving violations, so they are not recorded on your driving record. It’s similar to a parking ticket – you must pay the fine, but it doesn’t appear in your driving history or add any license points.
Q: Will a red light camera ticket raise my insurance rates in Illinois?
A: No. Since it’s not on your record, Illinois insurers will not surcharge you for a red-light camera ticket. It has no effect on your insurance premium. (Just be sure to pay the fine; an unpaid ticket can lead to other penalties, though those come from the state, not your insurer.)
Q: Do red light camera violations put points on your license?
A: Not in Illinois. Camera-enforced tickets in IL carry 0 points because they’re not moving violations. In some states like Arizona or California they do add points (since those states treat them like regular traffic tickets), but Illinois does not. No points means no impact on your license status or insurance for such tickets here.
Q: What happens if I ignore a red light camera ticket in Illinois?
A: Ignoring it is not recommended. If you don’t pay by the due date, the fine will double (a $100 ticket becomes $200 with late fees). Worse, if you rack up five unpaid camera tickets, Illinois can suspend your driver’s license. A suspension will appear on your record and can seriously affect insurance rates. Always pay or contest camera tickets before the deadline to avoid escalating penalties.
Q: Are red light cameras legal in Illinois?
A: Yes. Illinois state law allows red-light cameras in municipalities that choose to use them. Chicago and many suburbs use red-light cameras to enforce traffic signals. The cameras must comply with state guidelines (such as posted signage and public safety studies per 625 ILCS 5/11-208.6). Unlike some states that have outlawed them, Illinois permits automated enforcement – but the penalties are kept civil (no criminal record impact).
Q: Which states consider red-light camera tickets moving violations?
A: Only a few states do. Arizona, California, and Oregon are examples where a camera ticket is treated like a moving violation and can go on your record. In those places you might get license points and an insurance rate increase. The majority of states, including Illinois, handle red-light camera tickets as civil offenses – no points, no record, and typically no insurance effect. Always check the local law if you get a camera ticket out of state, as policies vary widely.