Crosswalk Enforcement Initiatives

Continuing efforts to improve pedestrian safety in the city, CDOT and the Chicago Police Department are continuing crosswalk enforcement initiatives in 2013.

The crosswalk awareness initiatives involve an off-duty, undercover police officer posing as a pedestrian crossing at a crosswalk.  If oncoming drivers don’t stop for the pedestrian—as required by law—the vehicle will be pulled over by a police spotter further down the street.

Motorists can face fines ranging from $50 to $500 for failure to stop for a pedestrian in a crosswalk. Last year the Police Department issued more than 1,000 citations for failure to stop for pedestrians in marked and unmarked crosswalks. 

Crosswalk awareness initiatives are planned throughout the city and locations chosen are close to schools, senior housing facilities and retail areas.  Most locations are near a recent pedestrian crash location.

The crosswalk awareness initiative is funded through a grant from the Illinois Department of Transportation.  Because the program uses off-duty police officers, it does not divert police resources from other crime-fighting efforts.

CDOT has completed numerous safety-related improvements throughout the city, including traffic-calming installations such as speed humps and curb bumpouts to slow vehicles, as well as pedestrian-countdown signals that tell pedestrians how much time they have to cross the street.

2012 Crosswalk Enforcement Initiative Numbers

• 70 crosswalk enforcement missions
• 1,071 citations issued for "Failure to Stop for Pedestrians in Crosswalk"
• 63 other citations issued

2011 Crosswalk Enforcement Initiative Numbers (April - September)

• 55 crosswalk enforcement missions
• 801 citations issued for "Failure to Stop for Pedestrians in Crosswalk"
• 80 other citations issued

2010 Crosswalk Enforcement Initiative Numbers

• 60 total crosswalk enforcement missions
• 1177 citations issued for "Failure to Yield to Pedestrian in Crosswalk"
• 176 other citations issued

2013 crosswalk enforcement schedule

(Note: Enforcements are subject to change based on weather and other factors.  Signage is posted at each enforcement location to inform motorists and pedestrians)

Saturday, 30th of March

79th & Essex (0800-1000)

Chicago & Ridgeway (1015-1200)

State & Pearson (1215-1400)

Saturday, 13th of April

26th & Homan (0800 - 0945)

Foster & Kilbourn (1000 - 1200)

Irving Park & Linder (1000 - 1200)

Saturday, 20th of April

Springfield & Jackson (0800-1000)

Foster & Kilbourn (1030-1200)

Lawler & Armitage (1230-1415)

Tuesday, 23rd of April

Clark & Devon (0815-1000)

Foster & Kilbourn (1030-1200)

North & Campbell (1230-1400)

Saturday, 11 of May

Springfield & Fullerton (0800-1000)

Lockwood & Diversey (1015-1200)

Foster & Kilbourn (1230-1400)

Saturday, 18 of May

Wentworth & 72nd (0800-1000)

Pulaski & Wabansia (1015-1215)

Jackson & Karlov (1230-1415)