highway video cameras

Illinois Law Creates Camera Program To Investigate Expressway Shootings in Chicago

Following a rise in expressway violence, law enforcement will add about 35 cameras to look into shootings that are notoriously difficult to solve.

A new Illinois law named in honor of a woman fatally shot on an expressway will give Chicago-area law enforcement officers the authority to create a camera program to investigate expressway shootings.

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed the Tamara Clayton Expressway Camera Act into law on July 12 after it received unanimous support in both chambers of the state legislature. Now, the state police force, department of transportation and toll highway authority will come together to work out the details of the program, The Chicago Tribune reported.

Although the Illinois state police have tried to combat expressway violence in recent years, they have made only 12 arrests in connection with 179 reported expressway shootings in the Chicago area, according to the Tribune.

Thaddeus Jones, a state representative who led the movement to pass the law, said in April that the program would cover 35 cameras in Cook County for a cost of about $500,000 and would only be used to investigate expressway shootings and not “petty offenses."

The transportation department already operates around 275 cameras in the area for “traffic management purposes,” spokesman Guy Tridgell told the newspaper. But those cameras do not record footage due to funding constraints and the system’s capabilities, instead sending a live feed to the department’s communications center for traffic monitoring.

Gun violence activist Andrew Holmes told the Tribune that he and other proponents of the law want future expressway cameras to have the capability of recording high-definition footage and identify license plates.

“We have to update the quality and the technology to help [police] and save lives and let [offenders] know that your Big Brother is always watching,” Holmes said.

State senator Jacqueline Collins of Chicago, who sponsored the bill, said more cameras on the expressway will help combat shootings.

“I think the culprits believe there’s no way to trace who is committing the crime and they see [expressway shootings] as a way of avoiding the penalties of the gun violence,” Collins told the paper. “We have to have ears and eyes throughout the city, the state, in reference to those individuals…who want to perpetuate violence on our citizens.”

Clayton’s sister, Alma Hill, said she was pleased that the legislation was approved and signed into law so quickly, according to the Tribune. Clayton’s killing, which took place on Feb. 4 while she was driving to work, remains unsolved.

“I just want to identify the people who are wreaking havoc on the expressways, and I want them to understand... that [police] see them and they are going to have some accountability,” Hill said.

About the Author

Haley Samsel is an Associate Content Editor for the Infrastructure Solutions Group at 1105 Media.

Featured

  • Survey: 60 Percent of Organizations Using AI in IT Infrastructure

    Netwrix, a cybersecurity provider focused on data and identity threats, today announced the release of its annual global 2025 Cybersecurity Trends Report based on a global survey of 2,150 IT and security professionals from 121 countries. It reveals that 60% of organizations are already using artificial intelligence (AI) in their IT infrastructure and 30% are considering implementing AI. Read Now

  • New Research Reveals Global Video Surveillance Industry Perspectives on AI

    Axis Communications, the global industry leader in video surveillance, has released its latest research report, ‘The State of AI in Video Surveillance,’ which explores global industry perspectives on the use of AI in the security industry and beyond. The report reveals current attitudes on AI technologies thanks to in-depth interviews with AI experts from Axis’ global network and a comprehensive survey of more than 5,800 respondents, including distributors, channel partners, and end customers across 68 countries. The resulting insights cover AI integration and the opportunities and challenges that exist with regard to security, safety, business intelligence, and operational efficiency. Read Now

  • SIA Urges Tariff Relief for Security Industry Products

    Today, the Security Industry Association has sent a letter to U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick requesting relief from tariffs for security industry products and asking that the Trump administration formulate a process that allows companies to apply for product-specific exemptions. The security industry is an important segment of the U.S. economy, contributing over $430 billion in total economic impact and supporting over 2.1 million jobs. Read Now

  • Report Shows Cybercriminals Continue Pivot to Stealthier Tactics

    IBM recently released the 2025 X-Force Threat Intelligence Index highlighting that cybercriminals continued to pivot to stealthier tactics, with lower-profile credential theft spiking, while ransomware attacks on enterprises declined. IBM X-Force observed an 84% increase in emails delivering infostealers in 2024 compared to the prior year, a method threat actors relied heavily on to scale identity attacks. Read Now

  • 2025 Security LeadHER Conference Program Announced

    ASIS International and the Security Industry Association (SIA) – the leading membership associations for the security industry – have announced details for the 2025 Security LeadHER conference, a special event dedicated to advancing, connecting and empowering women in the security profession. The third annual Security LeadHER conference will be held Monday, June 9 – Tuesday, June 10, 2025, at the Detroit Marriott Renaissance Center in Detroit, Michigan. This carefully crafted program represents a comprehensive professional development opportunity for women in security this year. To view the full lineup at this year’s event, please visit securityleadher.org. Read Now

    • Industry Events

New Products

  • 4K Video Decoder

    3xLOGIC’s VH-DECODER-4K is perfect for use in organizations of all sizes in diverse vertical sectors such as retail, leisure and hospitality, education and commercial premises.

  • Automatic Systems V07

    Automatic Systems V07

    Automatic Systems, an industry-leading manufacturer of pedestrian and vehicle secure entrance control access systems, is pleased to announce the release of its groundbreaking V07 software. The V07 software update is designed specifically to address cybersecurity concerns and will ensure the integrity and confidentiality of Automatic Systems applications. With the new V07 software, updates will be delivered by means of an encrypted file.

  • HD2055 Modular Barricade

    Delta Scientific’s electric HD2055 modular shallow foundation barricade is tested to ASTM M50/P1 with negative penetration from the vehicle upon impact. With a shallow foundation of only 24 inches, the HD2055 can be installed without worrying about buried power lines and other below grade obstructions. The modular make-up of the barrier also allows you to cover wider roadways by adding additional modules to the system. The HD2055 boasts an Emergency Fast Operation of 1.5 seconds giving the guard ample time to deploy under a high threat situation.