New data reveals that Illinois police conducted more traffic stops in 2023 than the previous year. The Department of Transportation’s study indicates a 12% increase in stops, marking the highest rate since 2019. Notably, four out of five police agencies reported stopping more Black and Latino drivers compared to White drivers.
Black drivers were found to be more frequently targeted for multiple stops. The study highlighted that Black motorists had a 36% higher likelihood than White drivers of being stopped two or three times. This trend has raised concerns about racial profiling and its impact on community trust.
Ed Yohnka, the Director of Communications and Public Policy at the American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois, emphasized that the disproportionate stopping of Black and Brown motorists exacerbates the mistrust between police and the communities they serve. This issue continues to strain relations and drive a wedge between law enforcement and minority communities.
The study also uncovered that several police agencies failed to submit traffic stop data to the Illinois Department of Transportation (I-DOT), including numerous agencies in Chicago suburbs. Out of 997 active agencies, 158 did not comply with the reporting requirement.
Loren Jones, director of criminal legal systems at Impact for Equity, criticized the lack of compliance, noting that it has been a state law requirement to report traffic and pedestrian stops since 2004. Jones argued that the infrastructure and precedent for reporting are well-established, and there is no valid excuse for the departments’ non-compliance with reporting racial demographics.
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This increase in traffic stops and the disparities in who is stopped highlight ongoing issues of racial profiling and accountability within Illinois law enforcement. The failure of some agencies to report their data further complicates efforts to address and rectify these disparities, emphasizing the need for stringent enforcement of reporting requirements and continued scrutiny of traffic stop practices.
