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HB 5554

VEH-AUTO TRAFFIC LAW ENFORCE

104th Regular Session Introduced by Angie Guerrero-Cuellar

Automated enforcement at Chicago’s major intersections can issue civil penalties for obstructing traffic, with owner notices, defenses, and limited penalties, not affecting driving

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Bill Summary · HB 5554

Summary of HB 5554 (104th General Assembly, Illinois)

What the bill does

HB 5554 would authorize automated traffic enforcement at certain intersections in the City of Chicago that have a population of 1,000,000 or more. Specifically, it creates a new Section 11-208.10 in the Illinois Vehicle Code to allow a municipal automated system to record and enforce violations related to obstruction of traffic at intersections. This means that a police officer is not required to witness the violation at the time it occurs.

Main purpose and intent

  • Modernize enforcement at high-traffic, high-density intersections by using automated technology to deter and address blocking of intersections.
  • Provide a clear process for notifying vehicle owners, handling defenses, and ensuring due process.
  • Limit revenue-driven incentives by tying compensation to equipment/services value rather than citation volume.

Key provisions and changes

  • Eligible jurisdiction:Municipalities with a population of 1,000,000 or more.
  • Automated enforcement scope: Violations of obstruction of traffic at intersections (Section 11-1425 or equivalent local ordinances) where a vehicle enters an intersection only if there is sufficient space to avoid obstructing others.
  • Notice and documentation:
    • For each recorded violation, the municipality must mail a written notice of violation to the registered owner within 30 days after the Secretary of State identifies the owner, and no later than 90 days after the violation.
    • Notice must include: owner name/address, vehicle registration, violation details, date/time/location, copy of recorded images, penalty amount and payment deadline, warnings/rights, and a website to view images.
    • Recorded images are admissible as evidence and must be confidential, with access limited to the violator and certain government entities.
  • Penalties and defenses:
    • If the driver did not receive a Uniform Traffic Citation at the time, the owner faces a civil penalty not exceeding $100, or completion of a traffic education program, or both, plus an additional penalty up to $100 for late payment or incomplete program.
    • Defenses permitted include issues such as vehicle theft, hijacking, or other defenses established by local ordinance; proof of timely reporting to law enforcement can establish theft/hijacking defenses.
    • Commercial drivers may be exempt from the traffic education program requirement.
    • Violations are not recorded on the owner’s driving record.
  • Notice and signage:
    • Each monitored intersection must display a posted sign visible to approaching traffic indicating automated enforcement is in use.
    • The municipality must post on its website the locations where automated enforcement is installed.
  • Administrative and ethical safeguards:
    • Compensation for the automated system must reflect the value of equipment/services, not the number of citations or revenue.
    • A prohibition prevents members of the General Assembly and local government employees from accepting employment or compensation from vendors providing automated enforcement systems for 2 years after leaving office/employment.
  • Lessor provision:
    • If a vehicle is leased, the lessor can provide lessee information to allow issuance to the lessee in the same manner as to a registered owner.
  • Regulatory authority:
    • The Secretary may adopt rules to implement these provisions, including permits, approvals, or authorizations for placement and operation, aligned with existing timelines and revocation procedures for automated enforcement systems.
  • Severability:
    • Provisions are severable.

Who is affected

  • Primary: City of Chicago residents and vehicle owners, whose vehicles may be cited for obstruction of traffic at designated intersections within the jurisdiction.
  • Vehicle owners (registered owners and, where applicable, lessees) who receive notices and owe penalties.
  • Municipal vendors and contractors providing automated traffic enforcement equipment and services (with new conflict-of-interest constraints).
  • Law enforcement and municipal staff involved in implementing and adjudicating notices and penalties.
  • Commercial drivers may be exempt from traffic education requirements.

Timelines and procedural notes

  • Notices of violation must be mailed within 30 days of owner identification, but no later than 90 days after the violation.
  • Notices include an option to pay, complete a traffic education program, or contest the charge by various methods (mail, in court, or via administrative hearing).
  • Signage and website posting obligations are immediate requirements for monitored intersections and installation locations.
  • The Secretary of State and Secretary may adopt rules to implement the section.

This bill would thus create a regulated framework for automated enforcement targeting intersection obstruction in Illinois’ largest municipality, with specific notice, defense, penalty, and transparency requirements.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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