The Ticket Trap

Where Chicago Issues Parking Tickets and Who Pays For Them

by David Eads and Melissa Sanchez

Last updated: July 31, 2019 (Version 1.01)

This interactive database contains more than 54 million parking, standing and vehicle compliance tickets issued since 1996, obtained by ProPublica Illinois in partnership with WBEZ and made public for the first time. You can search for your address and compare your ward with others, and you can see how Chicago’s reliance on ticketing for revenue affects motorists across the city. About our data | Read our series on how Chicago ticket debt is burdening black and low-income communities. →

Find Your Ward

For example: 200 North State St., 2800 S. California Ave.

54.4 million tickets issued

$2.8 billion paid to the city of Chicago

$1.8 billion total outstanding debt

Rank Wards By

Which Ward Owes the Most

The ward with the most outstanding debt, based on where tickets were issued, is the city’s 42nd Ward, which includes some of the busiest parts of downtown and has the highest volume of tickets. The next eight wards with the largest outstanding debts for parking tickets are majority black. Note: There’s no statute of limitations governing how far back Chicago can go to collect on ticket debt. Our records date to 1996.

Sort by

Ranked #1 out of 50 for amount due

42nd Ward

Ald. Brendan Reilly(312) 744-3062

Who lives here:

Black
Hispanic
Asian
White

$89.5 million

total debt from tickets issued between Jan. 1, 1996, and May 14, 2018(Ranked #1)

66% of tickets paid from Jan. 1, 1996, to May 14, 2018(Ranked #11)

$231.1 million paid from Jan. 1, 1996, to May 14, 2018(Ranked #1)

Ranked #2 out of 50 for amount due

28th Ward

Ald. Jason C. Ervin(773) 533-0900

Who lives here:

Black
Hispanic
Asian
White

$64 million

total debt from tickets issued between Jan. 1, 1996, and May 14, 2018(Ranked #2)

53% of tickets paid from Jan. 1, 1996, to May 14, 2018(Ranked #38)

$62.8 million paid from Jan. 1, 1996, to May 14, 2018(Ranked #10)

Ranked #3 out of 50 for amount due

27th Ward

Ald. Walter Burnett, Jr.(312) 432-1995

Who lives here:

Black
Hispanic
Asian
White

$56.3 million

total debt from tickets issued between Jan. 1, 1996, and May 14, 2018(Ranked #3)

61% of tickets paid from Jan. 1, 1996, to May 14, 2018(Ranked #23)

$90.3 million paid from Jan. 1, 1996, to May 14, 2018(Ranked #5)

Ranked #4 out of 50 for amount due

24th Ward

Ald. Michael Scott, Jr.(773) 533-2400

Who lives here:

Black
Hispanic
Asian
White

$48.9 million

total debt from tickets issued between Jan. 1, 1996, and May 14, 2018(Ranked #4)

47% of tickets paid from Jan. 1, 1996, to May 14, 2018(Ranked #50)

$37.3 million paid from Jan. 1, 1996, to May 14, 2018(Ranked #25)

Ranked #5 out of 50 for amount due

37th Ward

Ald. Emma Mitts(773) 379-0960

Who lives here:

Black
Hispanic
Asian
White

$45.9 million

total debt from tickets issued between Jan. 1, 1996, and May 14, 2018(Ranked #5)

47% of tickets paid from Jan. 1, 1996, to May 14, 2018(Ranked #49)

$37.6 million paid from Jan. 1, 1996, to May 14, 2018(Ranked #23)

Ranked #6 out of 50 for amount due

20th Ward

Ald. Jeanette B. Taylor(773) 966-5336

Who lives here:

Black
Hispanic
Asian
White

$43.3 million

total debt from tickets issued between Jan. 1, 1996, and May 14, 2018(Ranked #6)

48% of tickets paid from Jan. 1, 1996, to May 14, 2018(Ranked #45)

$34.9 million paid from Jan. 1, 1996, to May 14, 2018(Ranked #31)

Ranked #7 out of 50 for amount due

16th Ward

Ald. Stephanie D. Coleman(773) 306-1981

Who lives here:

Black
Hispanic
Asian
White

$42.4 million

total debt from tickets issued between Jan. 1, 1996, and May 14, 2018(Ranked #7)

48% of tickets paid from Jan. 1, 1996, to May 14, 2018(Ranked #47)

$34.2 million paid from Jan. 1, 1996, to May 14, 2018(Ranked #33)

Ranked #8 out of 50 for amount due

6th Ward

Ald. Roderick T. Sawyer(773) 635-0006

Who lives here:

Black
Hispanic
Asian
White

$40.8 million

total debt from tickets issued between Jan. 1, 1996, and May 14, 2018(Ranked #8)

51% of tickets paid from Jan. 1, 1996, to May 14, 2018(Ranked #42)

$37.6 million paid from Jan. 1, 1996, to May 14, 2018(Ranked #24)

Ranked #9 out of 50 for amount due

29th Ward

Ald. Chris Taliaferro(773) 237-6460

Who lives here:

Black
Hispanic
Asian
White

$40 million

total debt from tickets issued between Jan. 1, 1996, and May 14, 2018(Ranked #9)

51% of tickets paid from Jan. 1, 1996, to May 14, 2018(Ranked #43)

$36.7 million paid from Jan. 1, 1996, to May 14, 2018(Ranked #27)

Ranked #10 out of 50 for amount due

25th Ward

Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez(773) 523-4100

Who lives here:

Black
Hispanic
Asian
White

$40 million

total debt from tickets issued between Jan. 1, 1996, and May 14, 2018(Ranked #10)

68% of tickets paid from Jan. 1, 1996, to May 14, 2018(Ranked #7)

$84.9 million paid from Jan. 1, 1996, to May 14, 2018(Ranked #6)

Ranked #11 out of 50 for amount due

17th Ward

Ald. David H. Moore(773) 783-3672

Who lives here:

Black
Hispanic
Asian
White

$38.2 million

total debt from tickets issued between Jan. 1, 1996, and May 14, 2018(Ranked #11)

50% of tickets paid from Jan. 1, 1996, to May 14, 2018(Ranked #44)

$33.8 million paid from Jan. 1, 1996, to May 14, 2018(Ranked #34)

Ranked #12 out of 50 for amount due

4th Ward

Ald. Sophia D. King(773) 536-8103

Who lives here:

Black
Hispanic
Asian
White

$36.8 million

total debt from tickets issued between Jan. 1, 1996, and May 14, 2018(Ranked #12)

63% of tickets paid from Jan. 1, 1996, to May 14, 2018(Ranked #19)

$69.6 million paid from Jan. 1, 1996, to May 14, 2018(Ranked #8)

Ranked #13 out of 50 for amount due

26th Ward

Ald. Roberto Maldonado(773) 395-0143

Who lives here:

Black
Hispanic
Asian
White

$36.1 million

total debt from tickets issued between Jan. 1, 1996, and May 14, 2018(Ranked #13)

58% of tickets paid from Jan. 1, 1996, to May 14, 2018(Ranked #31)

$47.9 million paid from Jan. 1, 1996, to May 14, 2018(Ranked #16)

Ranked #14 out of 50 for amount due

22nd Ward

Ald. Michael D. Rodriguez(773) 762-1771

Who lives here:

Black
Hispanic
Asian
White

$35.7 million

total debt from tickets issued between Jan. 1, 1996, and May 14, 2018(Ranked #14)

54% of tickets paid from Jan. 1, 1996, to May 14, 2018(Ranked #35)

$37.3 million paid from Jan. 1, 1996, to May 14, 2018(Ranked #26)

Ranked #15 out of 50 for amount due

1st Ward

Ald. Daniel La Spata(872) 206-2685

Who lives here:

Black
Hispanic
Asian
White

$34.8 million

total debt from tickets issued between Jan. 1, 1996, and May 14, 2018(Ranked #15)

70% of tickets paid from Jan. 1, 1996, to May 14, 2018(Ranked #6)

$84.6 million paid from Jan. 1, 1996, to May 14, 2018(Ranked #7)

Ranked #16 out of 50 for amount due

15th Ward

Ald. Raymond A. Lopez(773) 306-0837

Who lives here:

Black
Hispanic
Asian
White

$34.8 million

total debt from tickets issued between Jan. 1, 1996, and May 14, 2018(Ranked #16)

54% of tickets paid from Jan. 1, 1996, to May 14, 2018(Ranked #37)

$35 million paid from Jan. 1, 1996, to May 14, 2018(Ranked #29)

Ranked #17 out of 50 for amount due

49th Ward

Ald. Maria E. Hadden(773) 338-5796

Who lives here:

Black
Hispanic
Asian
White

$34.3 million

total debt from tickets issued between Jan. 1, 1996, and May 14, 2018(Ranked #17)

59% of tickets paid from Jan. 1, 1996, to May 14, 2018(Ranked #30)

$50.7 million paid from Jan. 1, 1996, to May 14, 2018(Ranked #13)

Ranked #18 out of 50 for amount due

5th Ward

Ald. Leslie A. Hairston(773) 324-5555

Who lives here:

Black
Hispanic
Asian
White

$33.2 million

total debt from tickets issued between Jan. 1, 1996, and May 14, 2018(Ranked #18)

61% of tickets paid from Jan. 1, 1996, to May 14, 2018(Ranked #26)

$50.6 million paid from Jan. 1, 1996, to May 14, 2018(Ranked #14)

Ranked #19 out of 50 for amount due

35th Ward

Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa(773) 887-3772

Who lives here:

Black
Hispanic
Asian
White

$33 million

total debt from tickets issued between Jan. 1, 1996, and May 14, 2018(Ranked #19)

61% of tickets paid from Jan. 1, 1996, to May 14, 2018(Ranked #27)

$50.1 million paid from Jan. 1, 1996, to May 14, 2018(Ranked #15)

Ranked #20 out of 50 for amount due

44th Ward

Ald. Thomas Tunney(773) 525-6034

Who lives here:

Black
Hispanic
Asian
White

$32.4 million

total debt from tickets issued between Jan. 1, 1996, and May 14, 2018(Ranked #20)

74% of tickets paid from Jan. 1, 1996, to May 14, 2018(Ranked #2)

$123 million paid from Jan. 1, 1996, to May 14, 2018(Ranked #2)

Ranked #21 out of 50 for amount due

7th Ward

Ald. Gregory I. Mitchell(773) 731-7777

Who lives here:

Black
Hispanic
Asian
White

$31.8 million

total debt from tickets issued between Jan. 1, 1996, and May 14, 2018(Ranked #21)

48% of tickets paid from Jan. 1, 1996, to May 14, 2018(Ranked #46)

$27.6 million paid from Jan. 1, 1996, to May 14, 2018(Ranked #38)

Ranked #22 out of 50 for amount due

2nd Ward

Ald. Brian Hopkins(312) 643-2299

Who lives here:

Black
Hispanic
Asian
White

$31.4 million

total debt from tickets issued between Jan. 1, 1996, and May 14, 2018(Ranked #22)

71% of tickets paid from Jan. 1, 1996, to May 14, 2018(Ranked #4)

$101.1 million paid from Jan. 1, 1996, to May 14, 2018(Ranked #3)

Ranked #23 out of 50 for amount due

8th Ward

Ald. Michelle A. Harris(773) 874-3300

Who lives here:

Black
Hispanic
Asian
White

$30 million

total debt from tickets issued between Jan. 1, 1996, and May 14, 2018(Ranked #23)

53% of tickets paid from Jan. 1, 1996, to May 14, 2018(Ranked #39)

$30.8 million paid from Jan. 1, 1996, to May 14, 2018(Ranked #35)

Ranked #24 out of 50 for amount due

12th Ward

Ald. George A. Cardenas(773) 523-8250

Who lives here:

Black
Hispanic
Asian
White

$29.4 million

total debt from tickets issued between Jan. 1, 1996, and May 14, 2018(Ranked #24)

58% of tickets paid from Jan. 1, 1996, to May 14, 2018(Ranked #32)

$35.6 million paid from Jan. 1, 1996, to May 14, 2018(Ranked #28)

Ranked #25 out of 50 for amount due

3rd Ward

Ald. Pat Dowell(773) 373-9273

Who lives here:

Black
Hispanic
Asian
White

$28.5 million

total debt from tickets issued between Jan. 1, 1996, and May 14, 2018(Ranked #25)

59% of tickets paid from Jan. 1, 1996, to May 14, 2018(Ranked #29)

$39.7 million paid from Jan. 1, 1996, to May 14, 2018(Ranked #21)

Ranked #26 out of 50 for amount due

33rd Ward

Ald. Rossana Rodriguez Sanchez(773) 840-7880

Who lives here:

Black
Hispanic
Asian
White

$28.1 million

total debt from tickets issued between Jan. 1, 1996, and May 14, 2018(Ranked #26)

61% of tickets paid from Jan. 1, 1996, to May 14, 2018(Ranked #25)

$44.2 million paid from Jan. 1, 1996, to May 14, 2018(Ranked #19)

Ranked #27 out of 50 for amount due

21st Ward

Ald. Howard Brookins, Jr.(773) 881-9300

Who lives here:

Black
Hispanic
Asian
White

$28.1 million

total debt from tickets issued between Jan. 1, 1996, and May 14, 2018(Ranked #27)

51% of tickets paid from Jan. 1, 1996, to May 14, 2018(Ranked #41)

$27.6 million paid from Jan. 1, 1996, to May 14, 2018(Ranked #39)

Ranked #28 out of 50 for amount due

46th Ward

Ald. James Cappleman(773) 878-4646

Who lives here:

Black
Hispanic
Asian
White

$27.4 million

total debt from tickets issued between Jan. 1, 1996, and May 14, 2018(Ranked #28)

67% of tickets paid from Jan. 1, 1996, to May 14, 2018(Ranked #8)

$63 million paid from Jan. 1, 1996, to May 14, 2018(Ranked #9)

Ranked #29 out of 50 for amount due

31st Ward

Ald. Felix Cardona, Jr.(773) 703-7357

Who lives here:

Black
Hispanic
Asian
White

$26.9 million

total debt from tickets issued between Jan. 1, 1996, and May 14, 2018(Ranked #29)

61% of tickets paid from Jan. 1, 1996, to May 14, 2018(Ranked #24)

$39.9 million paid from Jan. 1, 1996, to May 14, 2018(Ranked #20)

Ranked #30 out of 50 for amount due

48th Ward

Ald. Harry Osterman(773) 784-5277

Who lives here:

Black
Hispanic
Asian
White

$24.7 million

total debt from tickets issued between Jan. 1, 1996, and May 14, 2018(Ranked #30)

63% of tickets paid from Jan. 1, 1996, to May 14, 2018(Ranked #18)

$46.5 million paid from Jan. 1, 1996, to May 14, 2018(Ranked #18)

Ranked #31 out of 50 for amount due

34th Ward

Ald. Carrie M. Austin(773) 928-6961

Who lives here:

Black
Hispanic
Asian
White

$24.6 million

total debt from tickets issued between Jan. 1, 1996, and May 14, 2018(Ranked #31)

47% of tickets paid from Jan. 1, 1996, to May 14, 2018(Ranked #48)

$20.3 million paid from Jan. 1, 1996, to May 14, 2018(Ranked #44)

Ranked #32 out of 50 for amount due

14th Ward

Ald. Edward M. Burke(773) 471-1414

Who lives here:

Black
Hispanic
Asian
White

$24.3 million

total debt from tickets issued between Jan. 1, 1996, and May 14, 2018(Ranked #32)

57% of tickets paid from Jan. 1, 1996, to May 14, 2018(Ranked #33)

$30.2 million paid from Jan. 1, 1996, to May 14, 2018(Ranked #36)

Ranked #33 out of 50 for amount due

43rd Ward

Ald. Michele Smith(773) 348-9500

Who lives here:

Black
Hispanic
Asian
White

$23.2 million

total debt from tickets issued between Jan. 1, 1996, and May 14, 2018(Ranked #33)

75% of tickets paid from Jan. 1, 1996, to May 14, 2018(Ranked #1)

$96.3 million paid from Jan. 1, 1996, to May 14, 2018(Ranked #4)

Ranked #34 out of 50 for amount due

30th Ward

Ald. Ariel Reboyras(773) 794-3095

Who lives here:

Black
Hispanic
Asian
White

$22.3 million

total debt from tickets issued between Jan. 1, 1996, and May 14, 2018(Ranked #34)

62% of tickets paid from Jan. 1, 1996, to May 14, 2018(Ranked #22)

$34.8 million paid from Jan. 1, 1996, to May 14, 2018(Ranked #32)

Ranked #35 out of 50 for amount due

40th Ward

Ald. Andre Vasquez, Jr.(773) 654-1867

Who lives here:

Black
Hispanic
Asian
White

$22.1 million

total debt from tickets issued between Jan. 1, 1996, and May 14, 2018(Ranked #35)

66% of tickets paid from Jan. 1, 1996, to May 14, 2018(Ranked #10)

$47.6 million paid from Jan. 1, 1996, to May 14, 2018(Ranked #17)

Ranked #36 out of 50 for amount due

50th Ward

Ald. Debra L. Silverstein(773) 262-1050

Who lives here:

Black
Hispanic
Asian
White

$19.9 million

total debt from tickets issued between Jan. 1, 1996, and May 14, 2018(Ranked #36)

65% of tickets paid from Jan. 1, 1996, to May 14, 2018(Ranked #16)

$39 million paid from Jan. 1, 1996, to May 14, 2018(Ranked #22)

Ranked #37 out of 50 for amount due

47th Ward

Ald. Matthew J. Martin(773) 868-4747

Who lives here:

Black
Hispanic
Asian
White

$17.8 million

total debt from tickets issued between Jan. 1, 1996, and May 14, 2018(Ranked #37)

72% of tickets paid from Jan. 1, 1996, to May 14, 2018(Ranked #3)

$56.6 million paid from Jan. 1, 1996, to May 14, 2018(Ranked #11)

Ranked #38 out of 50 for amount due

32nd Ward

Ald. Scott Waguespack(773) 248-1330

Who lives here:

Black
Hispanic
Asian
White

$17.5 million

total debt from tickets issued between Jan. 1, 1996, and May 14, 2018(Ranked #38)

71% of tickets paid from Jan. 1, 1996, to May 14, 2018(Ranked #5)

$53 million paid from Jan. 1, 1996, to May 14, 2018(Ranked #12)

Ranked #39 out of 50 for amount due

23rd Ward

Ald. Silvana Tabares(773) 582-4444

Who lives here:

Black
Hispanic
Asian
White

$17.2 million

total debt from tickets issued between Jan. 1, 1996, and May 14, 2018(Ranked #39)

63% of tickets paid from Jan. 1, 1996, to May 14, 2018(Ranked #20)

$30.1 million paid from Jan. 1, 1996, to May 14, 2018(Ranked #37)

Ranked #40 out of 50 for amount due

9th Ward

Ald. Anthony Beale(773) 785-1100

Who lives here:

Black
Hispanic
Asian
White

$16.9 million

total debt from tickets issued between Jan. 1, 1996, and May 14, 2018(Ranked #40)

52% of tickets paid from Jan. 1, 1996, to May 14, 2018(Ranked #40)

$16.5 million paid from Jan. 1, 1996, to May 14, 2018(Ranked #48)

Ranked #41 out of 50 for amount due

11th Ward

Ald. Patrick D. Thompson(773) 254-6677

Who lives here:

Black
Hispanic
Asian
White

$16.7 million

total debt from tickets issued between Jan. 1, 1996, and May 14, 2018(Ranked #41)

67% of tickets paid from Jan. 1, 1996, to May 14, 2018(Ranked #9)

$34.9 million paid from Jan. 1, 1996, to May 14, 2018(Ranked #30)

Ranked #42 out of 50 for amount due

10th Ward

Ald. Susan Sadlowski Garza(773) 768-8138

Who lives here:

Black
Hispanic
Asian
White

$16.6 million

total debt from tickets issued between Jan. 1, 1996, and May 14, 2018(Ranked #42)

54% of tickets paid from Jan. 1, 1996, to May 14, 2018(Ranked #36)

$18.2 million paid from Jan. 1, 1996, to May 14, 2018(Ranked #45)

Ranked #43 out of 50 for amount due

36th Ward

Ald. Gilbert Villegas(773) 745-4636

Who lives here:

Black
Hispanic
Asian
White

$16.6 million

total debt from tickets issued between Jan. 1, 1996, and May 14, 2018(Ranked #43)

60% of tickets paid from Jan. 1, 1996, to May 14, 2018(Ranked #28)

$23.6 million paid from Jan. 1, 1996, to May 14, 2018(Ranked #43)

Ranked #44 out of 50 for amount due

45th Ward

Ald. James M. Gardiner(773) 853-0799

Who lives here:

Black
Hispanic
Asian
White

$12.4 million

total debt from tickets issued between Jan. 1, 1996, and May 14, 2018(Ranked #44)

65% of tickets paid from Jan. 1, 1996, to May 14, 2018(Ranked #15)

$24.6 million paid from Jan. 1, 1996, to May 14, 2018(Ranked #41)

Ranked #45 out of 50 for amount due

39th Ward

Ald. Samantha Nugent(773) 538-3097

Who lives here:

Black
Hispanic
Asian
White

$12 million

total debt from tickets issued between Jan. 1, 1996, and May 14, 2018(Ranked #45)

65% of tickets paid from Jan. 1, 1996, to May 14, 2018(Ranked #14)

$24.3 million paid from Jan. 1, 1996, to May 14, 2018(Ranked #42)

Ranked #46 out of 50 for amount due

18th Ward

Ald. Derrick G. Curtis(773) 284-5057

Who lives here:

Black
Hispanic
Asian
White

$10.5 million

total debt from tickets issued between Jan. 1, 1996, and May 14, 2018(Ranked #46)

56% of tickets paid from Jan. 1, 1996, to May 14, 2018(Ranked #34)

$12.8 million paid from Jan. 1, 1996, to May 14, 2018(Ranked #49)

Ranked #47 out of 50 for amount due

41st Ward

Ald. Anthony V. Napolitano(773) 631-2241

Who lives here:

Black
Hispanic
Asian
White

$10.3 million

total debt from tickets issued between Jan. 1, 1996, and May 14, 2018(Ranked #47)

65% of tickets paid from Jan. 1, 1996, to May 14, 2018(Ranked #12)

$26 million paid from Jan. 1, 1996, to May 14, 2018(Ranked #40)

Ranked #48 out of 50 for amount due

13th Ward

Ald. Marty Quinn(773) 581-8000

Who lives here:

Black
Hispanic
Asian
White

$10.1 million

total debt from tickets issued between Jan. 1, 1996, and May 14, 2018(Ranked #48)

63% of tickets paid from Jan. 1, 1996, to May 14, 2018(Ranked #21)

$16.6 million paid from Jan. 1, 1996, to May 14, 2018(Ranked #47)

Ranked #49 out of 50 for amount due

38th Ward

Ald. Nicholas Sposato(773) 283-3838

Who lives here:

Black
Hispanic
Asian
White

$8.5 million

total debt from tickets issued between Jan. 1, 1996, and May 14, 2018(Ranked #49)

65% of tickets paid from Jan. 1, 1996, to May 14, 2018(Ranked #17)

$16.7 million paid from Jan. 1, 1996, to May 14, 2018(Ranked #46)

Ranked #50 out of 50 for amount due

19th Ward

Ald. Matthew J. O'Shea(773) 238-8766

Who lives here:

Black
Hispanic
Asian
White

$6.5 million

total debt from tickets issued between Jan. 1, 1996, and May 14, 2018(Ranked #50)

65% of tickets paid from Jan. 1, 1996, to May 14, 2018(Ranked #13)

$12.5 million paid from Jan. 1, 1996, to May 14, 2018(Ranked #50)