* 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…
