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Reining in red light cameras?

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Illinois

* Shortly before the primary, a top Democratic campaign strategist admitted that Sen. Rickey Hendon’s lt. governor campaign may have struck a populist nerve. One of Hendon’s campaign pledges was to end red-light cameras. He came up with the proposal mainly because one of his opponents, Rep. Art Turner, had voted to expand the cameras in Illinois. The Democratic strategist thought that, in the right hands, this could be a great campaign issue.

A Senate Republican has beat him to it…

One suburban lawmaker hopes to eradicate most red-light cameras in the state, which he said wrongfully target hundreds of Illinois drivers who made legal right-hand turns, and his proposal to that effect gets a first airing in the legislature today. […]

If his proposal becomes law, red-light cameras could still be stationed in construction zones and railroad crossings, but nowhere else.

Duffy’s proposal, which is scheduled for debate in a Senate committee today, comes on the heels of legislation proposed by state Sen. John Millner, a Carol Stream Republican, that would rewrite the current red-light camera law.

Millner’s proposal, which is backed by suburban police chiefs, would mandate that red-light cameras be painted yellow and signs be installed to remind drivers they must stop on red.

Duffy characterized Millner’s push to reform the red-light camera law as “worthless.”

So has a House Republican hopeful…

Valentine’s Day captured passion of another kind — the ire of Chicago motorists who joined a nationwide protest Sunday against red-light cameras.

Nearly two dozen protesters armed with posters took over the southeast corner of Addison Street and Western Avenue. They called for drivers to honk their horns to protest communities they say are using the cameras, which snap photos of drivers running red lights, to generate revenue rather than reducing crashes.

“They’re stealing our money,” car passenger Adrian Cruz shouted out his window.

Scott Tucker, who organized the protest and is the Republican candidate for the 11th District state House seat, said he’s supporting pending legislation to rid automated ticketing machines in Illinois.

The Daily Herald has jumped partially on board…

We greatly appreciate lawmakers’ recognition of the problems associated with red-light camera enforcement. But they should be fashioning legislation that addresses the clearly identified problems:

Locating cameras based on volume of traffic, rather than safety data; concentrating tickets on minor right-turn infractions; assessing high $100 civil fines that don’t get reported on a driver’s safety record.

Letting the private camera companies maintain records, rather than local governments, whose actions are subject to public scrutiny; and failure to focus attention on unsafe straight-through violations of red lights.

Repainting signals and writing new signs may have some value in helping motorists better understand the laws they are supposed to follow, but until these more significant issues are addressed, red-light cameras will remain an unfair, inconsistent, ineffective and inappropriate means of enforcing red-light laws.

Hendon also has a bill…

Senate Bill 2477 would limit the red-light camera impact by blocking minor infractions.

That measure, pushed by Sen. Rickey Hendon, D-Chicago, would give drivers a break by saying cameras cannot issue violations when drivers come to a stop one foot or less past the stopping point.

* Statehouse roundup…

* Senate prepares for confirmation vote on Illinois State Police director: State Sen. Dave Luechtefeld, R-Okawville, said feedback from troopers has shifted, but he can’t yet promise a vote for him. “At first, it was negative,” Luechtefeld said. “And of late, it’s been positive.”

* A legislative gamble that must lose

* Madigan blocks hearing on GOP ethics proposal

* Front license plate bill dies in committee

* Ill. senator wants change for Chicago Public Schools

* Supporters Vow a Fight to Keep Local School Councils

* Stripping LSCs’ power won’t help city schools

* Lawmaker wants state cash for early kindergarten

* Koehler pitches development plan

* Teen ’sexting’ ban not ready to hit send: Lawmakers want more input before making decision on bill governing racy text messages

* Proposals seek ’sensitive balance’ in teen sexting: As proposed, sending a “sext” could bring a $1,500 fine and six months in jail. Asking someone to send you a “sext” could bring a $2,500 fine and a year in jail.

* Senate Committe OKs DCFS Child Death Investigation Task Force

* Michigan Reps Blame Illinois For Asian Carp Threat

* Feds pass on surest solution to Asian carp advance

* Local reps criticize malpractice ruling

* New legislation would slow pilot process for HMO

* Raffle to benefit Illinois parks, outdoor programs

* Rep. Burke: From deputy city clerk to lobbyist

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Feb 16, 10 @ 9:59 am

Comments

yet another reason ricky does not like art and will not be quiet about it.

Comment by Amalia Tuesday, Feb 16, 10 @ 10:17 am
Color me skeptical. I can’t envision a majority of legislators voting for any ordinance that bans or severly restricts the use of red-light cameras. Their districts are pulling in too much cash at a time where other revenue sources have dried up.

But seeing Mayor Daley blow a gasket might be worth it…

Comment by The Doc Tuesday, Feb 16, 10 @ 10:43 am
I happen to live near a few red light cameras, but fortunately have not received any tickets. Yet. One thing I’ve noticed, however, is that some (but not all) intersections have timers that count-down the time remaining for pedestrians to cross. As soon as the number hits zero, the light turns yellow.

So if they are paying attention, drivers can better anticipate when to keep going and when to prepare to stop. I think it would be reasonable to mandate installing these timers at any intersection that has cameras.

Otherwise, I generally don’t mind the red light cameras and don’t believe they’ll be going away anytime soon. They could be improved though, and the improvements won’t cost much given the revenue these cameras generate.

Comment by 47th Ward Tuesday, Feb 16, 10 @ 10:52 am
If the GA wants to do away with red light cameras then they should send a list to local governments informing them which traffic laws should be enforced and which laws should be ignored.

Comment by One of the 35 Tuesday, Feb 16, 10 @ 11:22 am
Put me down as suspicious that red light cameras are not about safety, but instead about getting revenue and of course getting the politically connected a cut of the action.

Comment by Carl Nyberg Tuesday, Feb 16, 10 @ 12:46 pm
47th ward I agree the countdown lights are a good idea hopefully it becomes more widespread. But the red light cameras are really about making money no doubt in my mind.

Comment by fed up Tuesday, Feb 16, 10 @ 12:56 pm
===But the red light cameras are really about making money===

OK fine, I agree. What’s wrong with that? I think of it as a tax on bad drivers, which is perfectly fine with me. Lord knows the Chicago Police don’t bother with traffic citations anymore. I appreciate the fact that something out there is on my side against the horrible drivers in Chicago.

I’d be in favor of stop sign cameras too for that matter. Oh, and tickets for drivers who won’t use a freaking turn signal. Don’t get me started on bad drivers in Chicago.

Shut up and pay your tickets. And please follow the Rules of the Road.

(The preceding rant is a general rant and not aimed at you Fed Up, I’m sure you’re a good driver too).

Comment by 47th Ward Tuesday, Feb 16, 10 @ 1:17 pm
People should be ticketed - by either an offier or a camera - for breaking the law, ie. running a red light. Period. It’s all about the safety of drivers and pedestrians.

Comment by Red Means Stop Tuesday, Feb 16, 10 @ 2:45 pm
how many communities have installed red light cameras and then changed the timing of a stop light where there is no turn on red?? How about Naperville that prohibited turns on red at intersections once the red light camera was installed? is that about safety?

Comment by Still Gettin Twisted Tuesday, Feb 16, 10 @ 5:52 pm
This is one of the good things about an election year. Get rid of them before November. Afterward, the ‘revenue loss’ claim will keep it in place. Don’t forget, most of the politicians, local and statewide, really believe that we work for them.

Next, fold the suburban toll booths into IDOT and phase them out. That may take a few more election cycles….like 10 maybe.

Comment by Park Tuesday, Feb 16, 10 @ 7:43 pm