Suburban Driver Fights Erroneous Red Light Ticket

Woman says license plate on citation doesn't match her vehicle.

Jan. 29, 2026 at 6:15pm

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A suburban Chicago woman is contesting a red light camera ticket issued to her license plate, even though the vehicle pictured is not hers. Despite providing proof that she drives a different car and that the plate is registered to her Subaru, the ticket remains active and could increase if unpaid. The Illinois Secretary of State's Office is now investigating the case.

Why it matters

This case highlights issues with red light camera enforcement, where license plate mismatches can lead to unfair tickets for innocent drivers. It raises questions about the reliability of these automated systems and the challenges citizens face in contesting erroneous citations.

The details

Susan Bonini, who lives outside Chicago, received a red light camera ticket in early January for an incident that occurred on December 5, 2025. The ticket showed a photo of a small black Chevy SUV, not Bonini's green Subaru. While the license plate number on the ticket matched Bonini's plates, she pointed out that the '9' in the number was curved, unlike the straight '9' on her actual plates, which she has had for over 10 years. Bonini contested the ticket by mail, providing documentation of her vehicle registration and insurance, but the ticket has not yet been dismissed. Concerned about potential future issues, Bonini purchased new license plates at a cost of over $200 to protect herself.

  • On December 5, 2025 at 2:22 p.m., the red light violation occurred.
  • In early January 2026, Bonini received the red light camera ticket in the mail.

The players

Susan Bonini

A suburban Chicago woman who drives a green Subaru and is contesting a red light camera ticket that does not match her vehicle.

City of Chicago Department of Finance

The city agency responsible for issuing and managing red light camera tickets.

Illinois Secretary of State's Office

The state agency that is now investigating the case after being made aware of the reporting by FOX Chicago.

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What they’re saying

“At first, I thought it might be a scam. I opened it up and thought, why is the City of Chicago sending me something?”

— Susan Bonini (FOX32Chicago)

“This is not my car. I drive a green Subaru. I've never driven that car.”

— Susan Bonini (FOX32Chicago)

“It's frustrating because I can clearly prove this is not my car, and yet, I'm still being charged.”

— Susan Bonini (FOX32Chicago)

What’s next

The Illinois Secretary of State's Office is investigating the case, and the City of Chicago Department of Finance has not yet responded to requests for comment on whether the ticket will be rescinded.

The takeaway

This case highlights the need for greater accountability and oversight of automated red light camera systems, which can lead to unfair tickets for innocent drivers when there are mismatches between license plate numbers and the vehicle photographed. It underscores the challenges citizens face in contesting erroneous citations and the importance of having robust processes to ensure the accuracy of these systems.