Seize orders issued for Chicago mayor’s motorcade over unpaid traffic tickets

[January 03, 2024]  By Glenn Minnis | The Center Square contributor

(The Center Square) – After a growing number of unpaid speeding and red light camera tickets, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s traveling options are now only half of what they once were. 

A screenshot of city of Chicago surveillance video gathered by CWB Chicago showing a mayoral motorcade vehicle running a red light - City of Chicago via CWB Chicago

Four SUVs dedicated to Johnson's motorcade have amassed 21 citations and one warning over his first seven months in office. CWB Chicago reports the total cost of the fines and penalties is $2,130, or more than former mayors Rahm Emanuel and Lori Lightfoot received over four-year terms at City Hall.

State Rep. Blaine Wilhour, R-Beecher City, says nothing about the growing scandal strikes him as surprising.

“It’s a typical, liberal, elitist deal. They think they’re above the law,” the downstate Republican told The Center Square. “These people have lacked any sort of accountability for so long they just do whatever they want … If you’re an elite elected official, especially a Democrat elected official in the state of Illinois, you can get away with whatever you want because there’s no one there to hold you accountable.”

In all, just two of the 21 tickets Johnson’s vehicles have amassed have been paid, CWB Chicago reports. Wilhour hopes voters are keeping count.

“Unfortunately a lot of times they don’t,” he said. “This is the kind of stuff you’re going to continue to see until voters and citizens step up and say ‘enough is enough.’”