Suburban Woman Cleared After Plate-Reading Error Leads to Wrong Red-Light Citation

Two vehicles appeared to share the same license plate number, but investigators later determined the plates were different.

Jan. 30, 2026 at 5:47pm

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A woman received a red-light ticket for a violation involving a different vehicle and location she had not visited. Investigators found the automated system misread the license plate, confusing similar-looking characters. The Illinois Secretary of State will notify Chicago police that the citation was issued in error.

Why it matters

This case highlights the potential for errors in automated license plate recognition technology used for red-light camera enforcement, which can lead to wrongful citations for drivers. It raises questions about the reliability of these systems and the need for more robust review processes to ensure accuracy.

The details

Susan Bonini received a red-light camera ticket in the mail earlier this month alleging she ran a red light in Chicago on Dec. 5, 2025. However, Bonini said the vehicle in the image was a black Chevrolet SUV, while she owns a green Subaru and has not been to Chicago in years. The Illinois Secretary of State's Office reviewed the case and determined the license plate had been misread. Further investigation showed the first character on the plate did not match Bonini's plate.

  • On Dec. 5, 2025, the alleged red-light violation occurred.
  • Earlier this month, Bonini received the red-light ticket in the mail.

The players

Susan Bonini

A suburban woman who received a red-light ticket for a violation involving a different vehicle and location she had not visited.

Illinois Secretary of State's Office

The state agency that reviewed the case and determined the license plate had been misread.

Chicago Police Department

The law enforcement agency that will be formally notified of the error by the Illinois Secretary of State's Office.

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What they’re saying

“After running different variations of the plate, we identified a vehicle matching the make and model listed on the ticket that has the same plate digits.”

— Illinois Secretary of State's Office (fox32chicago.com)

What’s next

The Secretary of State's Office said it will formally notify the Chicago Police Department of the error.

The takeaway

This case highlights the potential for errors in automated license plate recognition technology used for red-light camera enforcement, which can lead to wrongful citations for drivers. It raises questions about the reliability of these systems and the need for more robust review processes to ensure accuracy.