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Nearly 9,000 traffic stops in 2025 align with national census
Elgin Police Department officers conducted nearly 9,000 traffic stops in 2025 with no racial profiling complaints, according to the department’s annual report.
Police Chief Chris Noble presented the findings to City Council March 17 as required under state law and the Sandra Bland Act. The report analyzed 8,955 traffic stops and found the racial and ethnic breakdown closely mirrored U.S. Census demographics, according to Noble.
“The Elgin Police Department remains committed to constitutional policing practices,” Noble said.
White drivers accounted for 58% of local stops, followed by Hispanic drivers at 23% and Black drivers at 16%.
Men made up the majority of drivers stopped with 5,682, compared to 3,273 contacts involving women.
Data showed white drivers had the highest number of searches at 260, followed by Black drivers at 168 and Hispanic drivers at 100. According to the report, contraband was found most often in searches involving Black drivers, about 61%, compared to 47% for both white and Hispanic drivers.
Drugs were the most common type of contraband, accounting for 213 of 289 items found. Alcohol accounted for 50 items and weapons for 21.
The report highlighted 124 instances involving outstanding warrants, with white drivers accounting for 52%, followed by 25% Hispanic and 22% Black. Warrant related stops made up the largest portion of enforcement outcomes.
“In the eight years that I’ve been here and the five years I’ve been the chief … we have done extremely well,” Noble said. “This is math, the numbers prove it.”
Noble said all sworn officers complete required training as part of the department’s ongoing efforts to strengthen oversight and compliance.
The department contracts with Del Carmen Consulting, led by Dr. Alex Del Carmen, to review traffic stop data. Noble described the firm as a recognized expert in racial profiling analysis.
