* Michael Sneed has had a direct line to Gov. Quinn for many a year, so if she says he’s signing the bill, he’s signing the bill…
Sneed has learned Gov. Pat Quinn is giving a thumbs up to a controversial bill to protect children as well as fill the city’s empty coffers.
To wit: Quinn is giving Chicago the green light to install speed “safety” enforcement cameras around schools and parks, which could generate a fortune in city fines!
$$$$: The bill, which was backed big time by Mayor Rahm Emanuel, calls for fines of $50 or more for cars going 6 to 10 miles over the limit near schools and parks. Driving more than 10 miles over the limit triggers $100 fines. Last year, Chicago earned $69 million from red-light violators caught by curbside cameras already in place.
Backshot: Installing new cameras has been a hot-button issue for Quinn, who had to weigh child safety versus privacy issues caused by camera glut.
Backshot II: Emanuel had been cautioned by Chicago Police Supt. Garry McCarthy and Chicago Public Schools CEO Jean-Claude Brizard that the city has a speeding problem “unique from other cities,” which was endangering kids.
Background: “The governor spent two months studying the ramifications of this bill,” said a source. “Some critics feared cameras would blanket the city, but the bottom line for the governor was the same for the mayor: it all came down to safety. … Quinn came back to an old quote from scripture: ‘If you save one life you save the world,’ and ultimately he felt the safety of children comes first.”
* Related…
* Group asks to Quinn to reject photo enforcement
* Gov. Quinn May OK Speed Safety Cameras
*** UPDATE 1 *** From the governor’s office…
February 6, 2012. Governor Pat Quinn today took action on the following bills:
Bill No.: SB 965
An Act Concerning: Transportation
Authorizes the city of Chicago to use automatic speed enforcement cameras within one-eighth of a mile around schools from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. during schooldays. Also authorizes use of automatic speed enforcement cameras within one-eighth of a mile around parks from one hour prior to facility opening to one hour after facility closing.
Action: Signed
Effective Date: July 1 […]
Bill No.: SB 1865
An Act Concerning: Local Government
Reduces fines set out in SB 965. Sets fines for driving six to 10 miles per hour over speed limit at a maximum of $50 with an additional $50 if late. Sets fines for driving 10 miles per hour over limit results at a maximum fine of $100, with an additional $100 if late. Requires cameras can be operated from Monday through Thursday, from 6 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. and Friday from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Action: Signed
Effective Date: July 1
*** UPDATE 2 *** From Mayor Emanuel’s office…
Today is a good day for Chicago’s children. With the opening of our libraries this afternoon, and Governor Quinn’s signing of the speed camera legislation, our children will be both smarter and safer. I commend Governor Quinn’s signing and the legislature’s bipartisan passing of this legislation. All this requires is that drivers obey the law near schools and parks to ensure the safety of our kids. Since day one as Mayor, my top priority has been to ensure that Chicago’s children can focus on their studies, not worry about their safety. We have introduced stronger curfew laws, supported after-school and safe passage programs and put more cops and crossing guards closer to our schools. I am grateful to Governor Quinn for supporting one more step in our comprehensive strategy to keep Chicago’s children safe.
*** UPDATE 3 *** Gov. Quinn faced some harsh questions about the bill during his press conference today…
- Tom - Monday, Feb 6, 12 @ 6:52 am:
My Thought: Not true.
- Davey Boy Smithe - Monday, Feb 6, 12 @ 7:35 am:
So will all IL towns install speed cameras soon? Gotta protect the kids!
- South of the Loop - Monday, Feb 6, 12 @ 7:44 am:
$69 million in red light ticket fines
These cameras are really ringing in the bucks, and how can Quinn/Rahm refuse the $$, and more ways to bring it in.
Hopefully these cameras are Amnerican made, or at least generating jobs for Americans. Also there must be more jobs for people who send out the fines, collect the fines, etc.
Hopefully the company suppling all the paper for these tickets is American and creating jobs, plus it has to be transported by probably train and truck increasing transportation revenue.
- OneMan - Monday, Feb 6, 12 @ 7:51 am:
No buckshot?
What about the Burkes, how can you work in the Burkes….
- Excessively Rabid - Monday, Feb 6, 12 @ 7:52 am:
And next they will be selling the rights to future revenues from these cameras to private companies?
- Anonymous - Monday, Feb 6, 12 @ 8:15 am:
This is just the shot in the arm cash strapped Chicago needs to raise revenues.
Don’t like it, don’t endanger children’s lives in school zones. It’s just that easy.
- Billy Dennis - Monday, Feb 6, 12 @ 8:22 am:
“For God’;s sake! Won’t anyone think of the CHILDREN?!”
This is a boondoggle. It’s an OBVIOUS boondoggle. But, no one wants to be thought of as “against the children.”
So this noxious notion passes and runs its course until the next boondoggle comes along.
I’d like to focus security cameras on Emanuel’s car and Quinn’s car 24/seven and see how they like it.
- titan - Monday, Feb 6, 12 @ 8:30 am:
From working on “adult use” zoning ordinances (where prohibitions with X feet of a school, park or church are common), it doesn’t take too large a protected zone around schools and parks to generate coverage of the vast majority of a city.
All they have to do is set a fairly generous distance within which the cameras can be installed (say, 500 or 1000 feet) and you’ll have the majority of the city as eligible for them
- AlphaBettor - Monday, Feb 6, 12 @ 8:54 am:
I live in Chicago, but because of the parking meters, the red light cameras and now the speed cameras, I no longer drive in the city except for unavoidable business trips. It’s become a financial risk I can no longer afford. I now do my shopping in the suburbs, or online. This is terrible for commerce in Chicago.
- The Captain - Monday, Feb 6, 12 @ 8:56 am:
Have you tried speeding in Chicago? In that traffic? Good luck.
- James the Intolerant - Monday, Feb 6, 12 @ 9:10 am:
It costs the city approximately $25 in maintenance of the current cameras and that price increases every year, so I’m sure the city wants more revenue from the cameras. “For the kids” is a lame excuse, but hard for anyone to attack.
- Plutocrat03 - Monday, Feb 6, 12 @ 9:24 am:
Chicago uses a financially troubled Australian company to provide the Red Light Camera services…. , so American it is not.
The good news is that the same company is developing a personally mounted camera for politicians to catch them in the act when they are breaking the law…. just a few detail to work out…….
Just another reason to avoid going in the the city for entertainment.
- TCB - Monday, Feb 6, 12 @ 9:26 am:
What I want to know is how these things work. It’s clearly posted on School Zone signs “On school days when children are present.” Do these cameras only catch speeders between 8-9am & 230-330pm each morning & afternoon that school is in session?
So if Im speeding through a school zone on a Saturday afternoon, will this camera get me?
If Im speeding through a school zone at 10am on a Tuesday, in which all students are in the classroom, do I get a ticket?
If Im speeding through a school zone on Veteran’s Day, a holiday when classes aren’t in session, will i be ticketed?
How the hell is this camera supposed to know if “children are present?”
- wordslinger - Monday, Feb 6, 12 @ 9:27 am:
Lot of money in those cameras.
- Chicago Cynic - Monday, Feb 6, 12 @ 9:31 am:
“Don’t like it, don’t endanger children’s lives in school zones. It’s just that easy.”
Oh give me a break. This has about as much to do with safety as their so-called “congestion tax (which applied 24/7/365) had to do with reducing rush hour traffic - which is to say NOTHING. This is a HUGE money grab by a desperate Emanuel administration. Nothing more. Nothing less.
I just wish they’d man up and raise my property taxes 2% and stop nickel and diming me to death.
- Because I say so... - Monday, Feb 6, 12 @ 9:40 am:
@TCB- the enforcement hours begin before school children are near school and go well into the evening, until curfew. That’s where they’ll rake in the money. No kids around hours after school so people won’t see the need for reduced speed, at least initially. Not sure about the weekends.
- mokenavince - Monday, Feb 6, 12 @ 9:49 am:
I’ve seen the need for security cameras around high schools.It will provide jobs and keep kids a
little safer.We would find a way to spend the money somewhere else,we always do.
- AC - Monday, Feb 6, 12 @ 9:52 am:
There are a handful of vendors who handle automated traffic enforcement, and all of them adjust the parameters to ensure that their equipment is profitable. Similar to automated speed enforcement in work zones, this will put drivers like me at increased risk, because I will follow the speed limit instead of following traffic. Expect sporadic enforcement, because the goal is to maximize revenue. If automated enforcement were continuous, every one would slow down, making for a poor ROI on the equipment. This isn’t about safety, its a cowardly method of increasing revenue.
- PublicServant - Monday, Feb 6, 12 @ 9:54 am:
With those $100 fines, it’s hardly nickel and diming, CC. And it’s a blatent money-grab, nothing more, nothing less.
And talk about unintended consequences and distracted driving, people will be so busy watching the speedometer that they won’t be watching when children dart out into traffic.
P.S. Commenters should state whether they live in Chicago, or not, before taking a position on the issue….And, for the record, I’m a Chicago resident.
- The Other Anonymous - Monday, Feb 6, 12 @ 9:55 am:
Like everyone else here — including 8:15am Anonymous who defends the cameras — I see this as being about revenue, not safety. If this were really about trying to reduce speeding near schools, we would have seen a concerted effort by the police to crack down on speeding first. Instead, we go right to low-cost, high ticket generating cameras.
Just like Chicago’s tyrannical parking enforcement scheme, this turns something tat should an important safety and regulation issue into a way to increase revenue. Shame.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Feb 6, 12 @ 9:55 am:
Sneedless to say, Quinn was quick to do it today.
- Kerfuffle - Monday, Feb 6, 12 @ 9:57 am:
As the song goes, “It’s not about the money, money, money…” Yeah right. Like TCB I want to know how these cameras will work. What happens if school is cancelled or lets out early?
- Davey Boy Smithe - Monday, Feb 6, 12 @ 9:59 am:
When are the jaywalking cameras coming?
- Wensicia - Monday, Feb 6, 12 @ 10:05 am:
I live in a large northern suburb that had cameras placed at key intersections in parts of the city where accident rates were higher. They have been very successful in reducing speed and the accident rate has come down, so more are being introduced. Having cameras around certain schools would also serve to reduce high incidents of violent pedestrian activity and other crimes; we’ve installed many at our high school campuses.
- OneMan - Monday, Feb 6, 12 @ 10:10 am:
I live in the largest western suburb and in fact the largest in terms of population of them all…
We have the red light cameras, most in the ‘nicer’ parts of town and they seem to off a lot for no reason, it gives you the feel sometimes of being at a dance club in the 90’s with the flashing lights.
Anyway, the next city over (Naperville) has given up on the red camera lights entirely. I think Bolingbrook (where the first ones out by us were) has given up as well.
- Anonymous - Monday, Feb 6, 12 @ 10:15 am:
“Today is a good day for Chicago’s coffers.”
There. Fixed the first line of Rahm’s press release.
- Shock & Awww(e) - Monday, Feb 6, 12 @ 10:15 am:
Post above was me. Pardon, por favor.
- Robert - Monday, Feb 6, 12 @ 10:19 am:
Of course it is about revenue first and safety second.
But I see this, like gambling expansion, as the better of 3 evils of raising overall taxes or cutting more out of the safety net.
- Cheryl44 - Monday, Feb 6, 12 @ 10:29 am:
I live in the city, I’m both child and car free.
Of course this is about money. The city needs money! The last mayor sold off everything he could sell off–there will be no more parking meter deals, we’re not going to stand for it. So the money has to come from somewhere.
- The Fox - Monday, Feb 6, 12 @ 10:39 am:
Anyone recall last time a child was killed by a speeding car in the proximity of a school in Chicago? What fund-raising scheme is up next?
- Carl Nyberg - Monday, Feb 6, 12 @ 10:40 am:
Another way Illinois could make revenue is to impose a tax/fee/fine for lenders who hold property vacant (without tenants) for an excessive period of time.
But that would involve going against the banks.
It’s easier to nickel-and-dime regular people who drive in neighborhoods.
We live in a deeply dysfunctional society. What I expect from a populist governor is to object strongly to attempts to jerk around the little guy.
Gov. Quinn, you got my vote when you needed it (against Dan Hynes). But it’s not going to happen again.
Yes, I called on this issue, one of I think two times I’ve called the governor’s office on a bill. You disregarded my request.
- Carl Nyberg - Monday, Feb 6, 12 @ 10:43 am:
Mayor Emanuel, don’t tell me you care about children. Nobody I know who has dealt with you has ever said you care about children.
You care about power and raising money so you can advance your political ambitions.
You’ve cast your lot with the financial sector who will make a bunch of money from this deal.
- Don H. - Monday, Feb 6, 12 @ 10:58 am:
Currently, the speed limit around schools during school hours is 20 MPH. Look at your speedometer next time you drive by a city school or park and see how far over 20 MPH you are going. Then count the number of schools and parks you pass by on your way to or from work.(remember you could pass by a school one block in off a main street and be within the 1/8 mile limit.) Multiply the number of schools and park x $100 and you will find your weekly contribution to City of Chicago.
Look up the number of collection cases filed by the City based on judgments from Administrative Hearing on the Cook County Clerk’s and expect that number to quadruple with this law.
- Hank - Monday, Feb 6, 12 @ 11:05 am:
Since this is “For the children”, shouldn’t the SOS also be notified that the driver now has a moving violation on their record in addition to the fine?
- JustaJoe - Monday, Feb 6, 12 @ 11:09 am:
Agree that it is about the money, not the children. The City will realize, however, that after the initial income, the cash flow will dry up and the systems will just be a cost item. Less expensive measures to get the desired safety results would include speed bumps and speed detectors flashing a warning to motorists. Cameras cameras everywhere is just too much big-brother government intrusion.
- Frank - Monday, Feb 6, 12 @ 11:16 am:
===our children will be both smarter and safer.===
How can he claim that by finding a way to keep a library open instead of reducing its hours, is making children smarter? Shouldn’t he say that Chicago children won’t get any dumber?
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Feb 6, 12 @ 11:16 am:
Attention all “I-Team”, “Investigates”, or “Unit 5″s …
“Speeding Towards our Children” - The number of city vehicles caught speeding by these cameras, and the amount owed in tickets by city workers …that haven’t been paid
Rahm. Will. Love. It!
- TCB - Monday, Feb 6, 12 @ 11:19 am:
I’m not from Chicago & never drive when I visit, but I have a couple more questions. I just worry that downstate is next. If I’m a downstate mayor, I’d be asking, “why is this only allowed in Chicago?”
Are these cameras portable, meaning are the a here 1 day, gone the next type of cameras? Or are the stationary/permanent? It’d be pretty easy for most drivers to just change their route if they notice a permanent camera.
Are these cameras hidden or in plain sight? Is the city required to post signage stating that this area is under speed camera surveillance?
- Wensicia - Monday, Feb 6, 12 @ 11:23 am:
==Are these cameras hidden or in plain sight? Is the city required to post signage stating that this area is under speed camera surveillance?==
Our cameras are well advertised with signs. The point is to encourage positive behavior, not just rake in money, and they work.
- 3rd Generation Chicago Native - Monday, Feb 6, 12 @ 11:27 am:
In the of the Wards on the Southwest Side of Chicago there are so many speed bumps by the schools. Frank Olivio, former 13th Ward Alderman, who was on the Roads committe, had the first ward with all of these circular planters in the intersections to slow people down around schools.
Between these planters (garbage dumps) and the speed bumps….how much revenue do they think this is going to generate?
Certainly they can’t put these in these areas I described, there must be other areas within proximity to the schools, like the next main thoroughfare?
- OneMan - Monday, Feb 6, 12 @ 11:37 am:
Yes because if I choose to do nothing with something I own that is the business of the state of Illinois.
please….
- Gisele - Monday, Feb 6, 12 @ 11:48 am:
You kids are on your own until July, but this law is about YOU. We Swear.
- Sunshine - Monday, Feb 6, 12 @ 11:53 am:
I support the idea of cameras in school speed zones and at intersections. Sure, it is a way to make money but they can save lives and reduce accidents.
This is about forcing people to use common sense when they would otherwise ignore the law and put others in harms way. If the city makes a buck….or many bucks, that is simply an added benefit.
- Same as it ever was - Monday, Feb 6, 12 @ 11:58 am:
Oh, it’s for the kids and not revenue? Alright then!
If they were really concerned for the kids then they should work on the quality of our teachers and administrators in public education, the pension problem and the state debt.
The insurmountable amount of debt that these kids are going to have to pay back might just make them want to walk into speeding traffic.
- Chicago Cynic - Monday, Feb 6, 12 @ 12:11 pm:
I’m a Chicago resident with kids that drives every day - two drop-offs and then to work. Those few defenders of this obscene policy remember this, it’s not just school zones, and not just when kids are in school zones. It’s also within 1/8 of a mile of any park from 6am to Midnight. As those of us in the city know, there are little parks EVERYWHERE. It’s one of the great aspects of the city. Now the city has used that as an excuse to put these abominations in 53% of the City.
And don’t forget one other thing. This City is filled with artificially low speed limits which were designed to raise revenue in the first place (consider Western, Ashland and other five lane N/S streets with 30MPH speeds. Or eight lane LSD with 40MPH on the North Side (it was lowered first for plants and then when LSD needed repair - it never went back up to 45). Give me a break.
The City has declared war on drivers - (”congestion tax”, speed cams, parking meter ripoffs, Lawrence Ave. “road diet”, etc.). This City loving resident is starting to wonder whether it’s time to move to the burbs.
- Cassandra - Monday, Feb 6, 12 @ 12:14 pm:
Let’s not forget the Republicans. They would rather run against Quinn than either of the two ladies. Maybe they’ll give him a little discreet help over the next two years so he can make it thru the primary.
- Chris - Monday, Feb 6, 12 @ 12:53 pm:
“I just wish they’d man up and raise my property taxes 2% and stop nickel and diming me to death.”
So, you’d rather continue speeding and have everyone pay than slow down? Good on ya, then. You offering to pay my additional taxes, too?
Me, a Chicago resident and fairly unrepentant speeder, I’ll just slow down. Of course it’s 90%+ about the money. So are the red light cameras. But the balance is about general saftey issues–if we can get “others” to help pay our bills and get even a small marginal benefit out of it, why all the whinging?
And, what the he.. about the “just put in speed bumps” nonsense–these cameras are going to be on the major streets–eg Addison and Western next to Lane Tech, Ashland & IPR next to Lake View, Lincoln in front of Mather (and Peterson behind), Bryn Mawr in front of Taft (and prob NW Highway behind), etc, etc, etc. Can’t put in speed bumps on US Highways. They aren’t going to (at least initially) put speed cameras on Howe in front of Lincoln Park HS, or Loomis next to Young–tho Jackson and Adams and Van Buren are *very* safe bets to get cameras somewhere bt Racine and Ashland, and probably Ashland right at the Eisenhower, too.
The question will be whether they go on LSD because of the proximity to Lincoln Park?!??!!
- Fed up - Monday, Feb 6, 12 @ 1:11 pm:
I live in the city and have two children that walk just over a block to school. I wish this law was going to make it safer for them but I don’t think it will for one second. It is obviously about money. Since these tickets are against the owner of the vehicle and are administrative good luck fighting them when the inevitable mistakes are made.
- Its Just Me - Monday, Feb 6, 12 @ 1:30 pm:
First he signs that corrupt map, now he signs this horrible bill. I want my old Pat Quinn back.
- Cheryl44 - Monday, Feb 6, 12 @ 1:44 pm:
~The City has declared war on drivers~
Is that like the War on Christmas?
- soccermom - Monday, Feb 6, 12 @ 1:59 pm:
Ouch. I’m actually not opposed to the cameras — I got caught by a red light camera last year, and I was absolutely in the wrong. But 50 bucks for driving 36 in a 30 zone? at 9 o’clock at night? Geez, seems a bit harsh.
- Keyser Soze - Monday, Feb 6, 12 @ 2:08 pm:
It’s for the kids. No, wait, scratch that. It’s for the cash. These folks are shameless.
- Dan Shields, Springfield, IL - Monday, Feb 6, 12 @ 2:49 pm:
Why is Quinn and the GA passing laws that only affect Chicago? Because it means $$$$$ for Chicago, what about the rest of the State?
- Chris - Monday, Feb 6, 12 @ 3:22 pm:
“Is that like the War on Christmas?”
It’s *exactly* like the war on Christmas.
” But 50 bucks for driving 36 in a 30 zone? at 9 o’clock at night?”
How ’bout $100 to $300 for not coming to a complete stop at a stop sign when there’s no cross traffic? That’s reality. Or $100 for a turn on red (with posted no turn on red) at 3am when there is obviously no one for blocks in any direction. Yeah, that’s reality, too.
Sure, perhaps 30 isn’t the right speed limit, but we don’t get to pick and choose who has to abide by the law, and who doesn’t.
Can’t pay the fine? Don’t do the crime!
- wordslinger - Monday, Feb 6, 12 @ 3:27 pm:
If you work in the city, you figure out pretty quickly whether it’s worth your while to drive or catch a train.
Drive-in, overnight tourists, are the ones who get the sticker shock. They find a good hotel deal for a couple of nights, then get whacked for parking their car. These folks aren’t used to paying big for parking.
- LINK - Monday, Feb 6, 12 @ 3:35 pm:
I wonder if the sales of Mayor Emanuel and Governor Quinn lifelike masks will now skyrocket as more drivers start wearing them in Chicago so the owners of speeding vehicles can blame them….just asking.
- Aldyth - Monday, Feb 6, 12 @ 3:59 pm:
It’s all about the money. If it provides for a bit more safety for the kids, that’s a happy side effect. The cameras will start here and be pronounced a grand success and it will expand from there.
- Yellow Dog Democrat - Monday, Feb 6, 12 @ 8:22 pm:
@Aldyth -
Its all about the money, but not the money you think.
Its all about the money the Contractors make.
Just like the frenzy of mandatory drug-testing laws that were supposed to make us safer.
A Congressional study found you have to spend $77,000 on mandatory drug testing just to catch one drug user.
- Edison Parker - Monday, Feb 6, 12 @ 8:45 pm:
How many Chicago school children have been killed or injured by speeding drivers in these school zones?