The Debt Spiral-How Chicago’s Vehicle Ticketing Practices Unfairly Burden Low-Income and Minority Communities
June 21, 2018
Lauren Nolan
This report sheds light on the City of Chicago’s ticket issuance policies, namely the disparate impact they inflict on low-income and minority communities, compares ticket issuance between drivers in low-income/non-low-income and minority/non-minority geographies, and analyzes the consequences of unpaid ticket debt, which can include bankruptcy, barriers to employment, and driver’s license suspension. The report offers several policy recommendations, including an audit of Chicago ticketing enforcement practices to identify the existence of any geographic, racial, or economic bias.
