THE JOURNAL & TOPICS NEWSPAPERS | WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12, 2008
Red Light Cameras A Matter Of Driver Safety Or Government Money Maker?
By TOM ROBB
Journal Reporter
Many suburban municipalities have installed or are consi ering installation of an automated camera system for red light enforcement operated by Red Speed Illinois.
Many involved in the pro gram maintain that it is not de signed to serve as a revenue source, but rather a safety mea sure. Fines do, however, gener ate a substantial amount of money for local governments.
Cook County Commissioner and Elmwood Park Mayor Peter Silvestri, representatives of Red Speed Illinois, the company that maintains the system ap proved by the state, and 50 rep resentatives of local suburban municipalities recently met in Lombard to discuss local lead ers' concerns with the Red Speed system on county roads.
Silvestri recently sent a letter to Cook County mayors in forming them that the county would be considering the ordi nance to install the cameras. Silvestri said area police chiefs immediately voiced concerned about where money from the fines would go and who would control the system on county roads. Silvestri offered an amendment to the bill that was adopted in 2007. The amend ment reads, "All costs paid by and all fines paid to the local municipality."
Some suburban police offi cials who recently spoke with the Journal & Topics Newspapers said they were not aware of this change and very concerned about local control. A spokeswoman for Silvestri said a large part of the recent meeting was to focus on clarify ing the financial issue.
Many municipal leaders have been frustrated in their attempts to be granted permits on county roads to operate the red en forcement system.
"They're slow because they're new at it," Silvestri said of the County Highway Department.
State Sen. Don Harmon (D-39th) of Oak Park introduced legislation in Springfield on Feb. 7 that would allow camera systems at railroad cross ings. The bill has been refer eed to the Rules Committee.