Illinois Red Light Ticket (625 ILCS 5/11-306): Camera vs Officer-Issued
Red light violations are among the most common traffic offenses in Illinois, and the state's extensive network of automated red light cameras — particularly in Chicago and its suburbs — generates millions of tickets every year. But not all red light tickets are created equal. The consequences you face depend entirely on whether your ticket was issued by a camera or by a police officer.
An officer-issued red light ticket is charged under 625 ILCS 5/11-306 of the Illinois Vehicle Code and is classified as a moving violation. A conviction goes on your permanent driving record, counts toward the license suspension threshold, and increases your car insurance premiums. A red light camera ticket, on the other hand, is an administrative violation — it carries a flat fine but has no impact on your driving record or insurance.
This guide covers both types of red light tickets in Illinois, plus 625 ILCS 5/11-305 stop sign violations, explaining fines, consequences, how to contest, and how to protect your driving record in 2026.
📑 Table of Contents
- Camera Ticket vs. Officer-Issued Ticket: Full Comparison
- Red Light Camera Ticket Fines & Late Penalties
- 625 ILCS 5/11-306 Officer-Issued Red Light Ticket Fines
- 625 ILCS 5/11-305 Stop Sign Violation Fines
- How to Contest a Red Light Camera Ticket
- How to Fight an Officer-Issued 625 ILCS 5/11-306 Ticket
- Insurance Impact: Camera vs. Officer-Issued
- Chicago Red Light Camera Program
- Real-World Example Scenarios
Camera Ticket vs. Officer-Issued Ticket: Full Comparison
The following table shows the critical differences between a red light camera ticket and an officer-issued 625 ILCS 5/11-306 ticket. Understanding these differences is essential for deciding how to handle your ticket.
| Feature | 📷 Camera Ticket | 👮 625 ILCS 5/11-306 Officer Ticket |
|---|---|---|
| Fine Amount | $100 flat | $75 – $250+ (varies by county) |
| Court Costs | None (unless contested) | $50 – $150 |
| Issued To | Registered vehicle owner (by mail) | Driver at the scene |
| Violation Type | Administrative | Moving violation under 625 ILCS 5 |
| Goes on Driving Record? | No | Yes (if convicted) |
| Counts Toward Suspension? | No | Yes (if convicted) |
| Affects Insurance? | No | Yes — 20–30% increase for 3–5 years |
| Court Supervision Available? | N/A (administrative process) | Yes |
| Unpaid Consequences | Late fees, booting, towing, plate renewal hold | Warrant, license suspension, additional fines |
Red Light Camera Ticket Fines & Late Penalties in Illinois
Red light camera tickets in Illinois carry a base fine of $100. This amount is set by municipal ordinance and is consistent across most Illinois cities that operate camera programs. However, if you do not pay the ticket by the deadline, significant penalties are added.
| Payment Timeline | Fine Amount | Additional Consequences |
|---|---|---|
| Paid within 21 days (some cities) | $100 | No additional penalties |
| Not paid within 21–30 days | $200 | Late fee doubles the original fine in most municipalities |
| Continued non-payment (60+ days) | $200+ | Sent to collections, vehicle boot/immobilization, towing, license plate renewal hold |
⚠️ Important: While a single unpaid camera ticket may seem minor, multiple unpaid tickets in Chicago can trigger vehicle booting — where a metal clamp is attached to your wheel, immobilizing your car until all outstanding fines are paid. The City of Chicago boots vehicles with 2 or more unpaid camera tickets that are 21+ days past due or 3 or more unpaid parking tickets.
625 ILCS 5/11-306 Officer-Issued Red Light Ticket Fines
When a police officer personally issues you a red light ticket under 625 ILCS 5/11-306, the stakes are significantly higher than a camera ticket. This is a moving violation that goes on your permanent driving record if it results in a conviction.
| Cost Component | Typical Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Base Fine | $75 – $250 | Varies by county |
| Court Costs & Assessments | $50 – $150 | Standard fees added to every traffic court case |
| Defensive Driving Course | $25 – $50 | If ordered as a condition of court supervision |
| Total with Supervision | $150 – $350 | No conviction, no record impact, no insurance increase |
| Total if Convicted (with insurance) | $1,150 – $1,750 | Conviction on record + 20–30% insurance increase for 3–5 years |
625 ILCS 5/11-305 Stop Sign Violation Fines in Illinois
Running a stop sign is charged under 625 ILCS 5/11-305 and carries similar consequences to an officer-issued red light ticket. It is a moving violation that goes on your driving record if convicted and counts toward the license suspension threshold.
| 625 ILCS 5/11-305 Stop Sign Violation | Details |
|---|---|
| Base Fine | $75 – $200 (varies by county) |
| Court Costs | $50 – $150 |
| Classification | Petty Offense — Moving Violation |
| Court Supervision Available? | Yes |
| Counts Toward Suspension? | Yes (if convicted) |
| Insurance Impact | Yes — 15–25% increase for 3–5 years (if convicted) |
The same strategies that apply to 625 ILCS 5/11-306 red light tickets apply to stop sign violations: appear in court, request supervision, and keep the ticket off your record.
How to Contest a Red Light Camera Ticket in Illinois
If you believe a red light camera ticket was issued incorrectly, you have the right to contest it. The process is administrative — not a criminal court proceeding — and varies slightly by municipality.
| 1 | Review the evidence | Your camera ticket notice includes a web link to view the photos and/or video of the alleged violation. Review this evidence carefully before deciding whether to contest. |
| 2 | Choose your contest method | Contest by mail: Submit a written declaration with supporting evidence. In-person hearing: Appear before an administrative hearing officer to present your case verbally. |
| 3 | Common grounds for contesting | You were not the driver (ticket goes to owner, not driver). The vehicle was stolen. The light was malfunctioning. The photo/video does not clearly show the violation. You were making a legal right turn on red. |
| 4 | Receive the decision | If your contest is successful, the ticket is dismissed. If denied, you must pay the original $100 fine. You may have the right to further appeal depending on the municipality. |
How to Fight an Officer-Issued 625 ILCS 5/11-306 Red Light Ticket
Fighting an officer-issued 625 ILCS 5/11-306 red light ticket follows the same process as any moving violation in Illinois traffic court. Your two main options are requesting court supervision or pleading not guilty and going to trial.
Common defense strategies for red light tickets include:
| Defense Strategy | How It Works |
|---|---|
| Yellow light timing | Argue that the yellow signal was shorter than the minimum duration required by IDOT engineering standards for the posted speed limit on that road. Illinois requires minimum yellow intervals based on approach speed. |
| Already in the intersection | Under 625 ILCS 5/11-306, you violate the law by entering the intersection after the light turns red. If you entered on yellow and were still in the intersection when it turned red, that is not a violation. |
| Obstructed view of the signal | Argue that your view of the traffic signal was obstructed by a large vehicle, overhanging tree branches, or other obstruction, preventing you from seeing the red light in time to stop safely. |
| Emergency vehicle behind you | If you proceeded through a red light to make way for an emergency vehicle with active sirens/lights, this can serve as a valid defense. |
| Officer's vantage point | Question whether the officer had a clear, unobstructed view of both the traffic signal and your vehicle. If the officer was positioned far away or at a poor angle, their observation may be unreliable. |
📖 Full defense guide: How to Fight a Traffic Ticket in Illinois
Insurance Impact: Camera Tickets vs. Officer-Issued 625 ILCS 5/11-306 Tickets
The insurance impact is where the two types of red light tickets diverge most dramatically:
| Ticket Type | Insurance Rate Increase | Duration | Estimated Extra Cost (3 years) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Camera ticket | No increase | N/A | $0 |
| 625 ILCS 5/11-306 with supervision | Typically no increase | N/A | $0 |
| 625 ILCS 5/11-306 conviction | 20% – 30% | 3 – 5 years | $900 – $2,000+ |
| 625 ILCS 5/11-305 stop sign conviction | 15% – 25% | 3 – 5 years | $700 – $1,500+ |
📖 Related guides:
Chicago Red Light Camera Program
Chicago operates one of the largest red light camera enforcement programs in the United States. The city has hundreds of camera-equipped intersections throughout the city, managed by the City of Chicago Department of Finance.
| Chicago Camera Program Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Red light camera fine | $100 per violation |
| Late penalty | Fine doubles to $200 if not paid or contested within 21 days |
| Right turn on red | Legal in most cases, but you must come to a complete stop first. Rolling through a right turn on red can trigger a camera ticket. |
| How to pay | Online at the City of Chicago website, by mail, or in person at a payment center |
| How to contest | Online, by mail, or request an in-person administrative hearing through the Chicago Department of Finance |
| Booting threshold | 2 or more unpaid camera tickets that are 21+ days past due, OR 3 or more unpaid parking tickets |
📖 Detailed Chicago guide: Chicago Red Light Camera Ticket Guide
Real-World Example Scenarios
Scenario 1: Red Light Camera Ticket in Chicago — Paid on Time
Jennifer receives a red light camera ticket in the mail from the City of Chicago. The notice shows her car entering the intersection at Milwaukee Avenue and Diversey after the light turned red. The fine is $100. Jennifer reviews the photos online and sees the violation is clear. She pays the $100 fine online within 21 days. Impact on her driving record: none. Impact on her insurance: none. Total cost: $100.
Scenario 2: 625 ILCS 5/11-306 Officer-Issued Red Light Ticket — Court Supervision
Carlos, a 33-year-old from Evanston with a clean driving record, is pulled over by a police officer after running a red light at a busy intersection. The officer issues him a 625 ILCS 5/11-306 citation. Carlos considers paying the $150 fine online but calculates that the insurance increase would cost him an additional $1,200 over the next 3 years. Instead, Carlos appears in Cook County traffic court and requests supervision. The judge grants it, and Carlos pays $150 plus $95 in court costs and completes a defensive driving course for $30. Total cost: $275. Insurance impact: none. Savings vs. paying online: approximately $1,075.
Scenario 3: Multiple Unpaid Camera Tickets in Chicago — Vehicle Booted
Priya ignores two red light camera tickets and one parking ticket in Chicago. Each camera ticket was $100, and the parking ticket was $65. After missing the deadlines, each camera ticket doubled to $200, and the parking ticket jumped to $115 with late fees. Total outstanding: $515. One morning, Priya finds a boot on her car. She must pay all outstanding tickets plus a $100 boot removal fee in person before the boot is removed. If the boot is not addressed within 24 hours, the car may be towed, adding a $250+ tow fee and daily storage charges. Priya's total cost for ignoring $265 in original fines: potentially $865 or more.
Scenario 4: 625 ILCS 5/11-305 Stop Sign Ticket — Not Guilty Plea, Dismissed
Daniel, a 40-year-old from Springfield, receives a 625 ILCS 5/11-305 stop sign ticket. Daniel believes the stop sign at the intersection was obscured by overgrown tree branches and was not clearly visible. He takes photos of the obstructed sign with timestamps and pleads not guilty. At trial in Sangamon County, Daniel presents his photographic evidence. The judge agrees that the sign was not clearly visible to approaching drivers and dismisses the ticket. Total cost: $0.
⚖️ Need Help With a 625 ILCS 5/11-306 Red Light or 625 ILCS 5/11-305 Stop Sign Ticket?
An experienced Illinois traffic ticket lawyer can help you avoid a conviction, protect your driving record, and prevent insurance rate increases. Many attorneys can appear in court on your behalf so you don't have to miss work.