Waymo Vehicles Spotted in Chicago, Fueling Speculation of Expansion

Social media posts show autonomous taxis unloading and parked in the city, but regulatory hurdles remain.

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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Chicagoans have reported sightings of Waymo autonomous vehicles in the city this week, sparking speculation that the self-driving taxi company may be eyeing an expansion into the Windy City. Videos and photos shared on social media show Waymo vehicles being unloaded from trucks and parked in downtown Chicago garages, though a state proposal to allow self-driving taxis has yet to gain approval from Illinois legislators.

Why it matters

The potential arrival of Waymo in Chicago would be a significant development, as the city has not yet approved the use of autonomous taxis. This could signal a broader push by self-driving vehicle companies to expand into new markets, raising questions about regulation, public safety, and the future of transportation in urban areas.

The details

The sightings of Waymo vehicles in Chicago were first reported on social media this week, with one video showing at least two Waymo cars being unloaded on the 100 block of West Kinzie Street in the River North neighborhood. Additionally, a Reddit user shared a photo of what appears to be at least seven Waymo vehicles parked in a downtown garage. However, a proposal by Illinois Rep. Kam Buckner to start a pilot program for self-driving taxis in the state has not yet been approved by legislators.

  • On Tuesday, February 25, 2026, social media users reported seeing Waymo vehicles being unloaded in Chicago's River North neighborhood.
  • On Monday, February 24, 2026, a Reddit user shared a photo of what appears to be several Waymo vehicles parked in a downtown Chicago garage.

The players

Waymo

An American autonomous driving company and a subsidiary of Alphabet Inc., Google's parent company.

Illinois Rep. Kam Buckner

A state legislator who introduced a proposal to start a pilot program for self-driving taxis in Illinois.

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What they’re saying

“I think the only way for us to have autonomous vehicles happen with us and not to us is to do what we're doing here: take the time, do the pilot, and figure out where we want to go as a state.”

— Kam Buckner, Illinois State Representative (nbcchicago.com)

What’s next

The Illinois state legislature will need to approve Rep. Buckner's proposal to allow a pilot program for self-driving taxis in the state, which would pave the way for Waymo and other companies to potentially expand their services to Chicago.

The takeaway

The sightings of Waymo vehicles in Chicago highlight the growing interest and activity of autonomous vehicle companies in expanding into new markets, even as regulatory hurdles remain. This development underscores the need for policymakers to carefully consider the implications of self-driving technology on transportation, public safety, and urban planning.