Motorists in Chicago should prepare for more stringent enforcement of speed limits as the city's Department of Transportation activates seven new speed cameras this summer. The recent rollout, which began with two cameras on June 1, is part of an aggressive plan to enhance road safety by discouraging speeding, especially in school and park zones. NBC Chicago reports that the cameras will have a 30-day grace period during which violators will receive warnings instead of fines, but full enforcement with fines will kick in shortly after, starting July 15 at the two locations activated earlier this month.
Adding to the two speed cameras from June 1, an additional five locations set to monitor speeding near schools and parks will activate on June 15. Once the warning period lapses, drivers exceeding the speed limit by six to 10 mph will face a $35 fine, while those surpassing it by 11 mph or more will receive a $100 fine. According to CBS Chicago, these measures are a part of a broader safety initiative included in Mayor Brandon Johnson's $17 billion budget plan, which anticipates an $11 million boost in city revenue from the new speed cameras.
For school zones, the cameras will operate between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. on school days. During school hours, when children are present, until 4:00 p.m., drivers will need to adhere to a reduced speed limit of 20 mph. After 4 p.m., the normal speed limit will resume, ensuring consistent monitoring of vehicle speeds in the vicinity of schools. Park zones have camera enforcement matching each park's operating hours, generally from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
