How Chicago’s Ticketing System Can Ruin Someone’s Life

On Background - NEWEST LOGO
On Background - NEWEST LOGO

How Chicago’s Ticketing System Can Ruin Someone’s Life

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We all hate them. But parking and traffic camera tickets generate millions for the city of Chicago every year. A WBEZ/ProPublica Illinois investigation reveals that system puts a huge burden on the very people who can least afford it. We look at how one ticket can ruin someone’s life, and what  mayoral candidates will do to change the discriminatory system.

Reporting by Elliott Ramos and Melissa Sanchez. Editing by Alex Keefe and Cate Cahan. Production by James Edwards and Becky Vevea.

Each week at On Background, WBEZ’s team of political reporters brings you the backstory on the week’s big story. Host Becky Vevea and guests take you inside the back rooms of Chicago and Illinois government to better understand the people, places and forces shaping today’s politics.