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NewsThe Center Square — IllinoisJune 29, 2026United States

Report: Illinois Ranks Second in Nation for Local Fines and Fees

A new report titled 'Taxation by Citation' reveals that Illinois local governments collect the second-highest amount of fines and forfeitures per capita in the U.S. The study suggests that some local governments rely on these court-generated revenues to fund basic operations, raising concerns about potential incentives for increased enforcement.

fines and forfeitureslocal government financecriminal justice policytaxationrevenue generation
Read the full story at The Center Square — Illinois

Why It Matters

Illinois residents pay an average of $53.76 per capita in local , more than double the national average of $24.77, which impacts the total cost of government services and local law enforcement interactions.

Key Facts

  • Illinois ranks second in the U.S. for per-capita fines and forfeitures collected by local governments.
  • The average Illinois resident pays $53.76 in local fines and forfeitures, compared to the national average of $24.77.
  • The report 'Taxation by Citation' analyzed data from 8,054 cities across the U.S.
  • Orient, Illinois, is one of only 11 cities in the U.S. that collects more revenue from fines and forfeitures than from general tax revenue.
  • Livingston County collects $184 per capita in fines and fees, ranking 18th nationally.
  • Pulaski County collects $142 per capita in fines and fees, ranking 21st nationally.
  • De Witt County collects $106 per capita in fines and fees, ranking 28th nationally.
  • Illinois has seven of the top 50 county governments in the U.S. for per-capita fine and fee collection.
  • Orient Mayor Jan Segatto states the city has not levied local fines in decades and has not raised its tax levy since 2013.

Who's Mentioned

personJan Segatto“Mayor of Orient, Illinois.”locationOrient“A city in Franklin County, Illinois, identified in the report as collecting more”locationDe Witt County“Ranked 28th nationally for per-capita fines and fees at $106.”locationLivingston County“Ranked 18th nationally for per-capita fines and fees at $184.”organizationReason Foundation“The organization that published the 'Taxation by Citation' report.”personVittorio Nastasi“Director of criminal justice policy at Reason Foundation and author of the repor”locationPulaski County“Ranked 21st nationally for per-capita fines and fees at $142.”