Daily Herald | Red Light Cameras

Resident drops idea of red light camera vote

An Elk Grove Village library board trustee who said Friday morning he would spearhead getting an advisory referendum on red-light cameras onto the local February 2010 ballot, backed off by late afternoon, saying the idea needs more discussion.

Full Story published 7/18/2009 12:00 AM

Cullerton to review red light camera law

Senate President John Cullerton, who was a chief proponent of red-light cameras, says he plans to take a fresh look at the law and potentially ban sending out automatic violations for rolling through right turns.

Full Story updated 7/16/2009 10:30 PM

Des Plaines mayor: Revisit red-light cameras

Des Plaines Mayor Marty Moylan says he will ask the city council to review the use of red-light cameras at intersections after seeing new information revealed through a Daily Herald investigation.

Full Story published 7/17/2009 12:00 AM

Lawmakers call for tighter traffic cam rules

Red-light cameras were shepherded into the suburbs several years ago with wide political support. That backing is evaporating. Numerous suburban lawmakers are now criticizing the red-light camera system in the wake of a Daily Herald investigative series that sparked questions about how and why cameras are being used.

Full Story updated 7/16/2009 6:33 AM

Studies show cameras reduce crashes

Nationally, the evidence is pretty convincing - red-light cameras generally persuade drivers to be more careful, reducing related crashes and potentially saving lives.

Full Story updated 7/15/2009 11:55 AM

One intersection to watch out for

If there's one place to avoid rolling right on a red light or pushing the envelope on a yellow one, it's Route 83 and Riverside Drive in Villa Park.

Full Story published 7/15/2009 12:00 AM

Speed cameras will be quick to turn on

If - or when - lawmakers decide to allow cameras in the suburbs to track and ticket speeders, such powerful enforcement will likely spread quickly throughout the suburbs.

Full Story published 7/15/2009 12:00 AM

Schaumburg's three cameras are gone

Schaumburg on Tuesday night became the first community in the Northwest suburbs to officially reverse course on the growing proliferation of red-light cameras.

Full Story published 7/15/2009 12:00 AM

Elk Grove mayor defends red-light cameras

Elk Grove Village Mayor Craig Johnson Tuesday defended his town's use of red-light photo enforcement at intersections, saying the cameras save lives and are not aimed at making money.

Full Story published 7/15/2009 12:00 AM

Many tickets, but no license suspensions

More than 100,000 red-light camera tickets have hit motorists in the West, North and Northwest suburbs since such enforcement began spreading three years ago.

Full Story updated 7/14/2009 12:14 AM

Dangerous drivers not stopped by cameras

Red-light cameras improve safety on Illinois roads by putting a pricey penalty - $100 - on drivers who run a traffic light, proponents say.

Full Story updated 7/14/2009 12:13 AM

Schaumburg decides to ditch cameras

Companies are selling red-light cameras as a technology that pays for itself even as it cuts down on the cost of patrol officers, Schaumburg Mayor Al Larson says.

Full Story updated 7/13/2009 11:35 PM

Cameras in spots with few red-light wrecks

Thousands of cars file daily off Biesterfield Road onto I-290 southbound in Elk Grove Village. Rushing to work and home, those motorists provide a steady stream of $100 red-light tickets for the village and camera company, mostly caught for not coming to a complete stop before turning right off Biesterfield

Full Story published 7/13/2009 12:02 AM

Do the right thing not always made for TV

The fact Big Brother is not only watching at red-light camera intersections but could fine you $100 isn't something drivers will ignore, experts believe.

Full Story published 7/13/2009 12:02 AM

Who profits from these cameras?

If you land a $100 red-light ticket in the mail, the return address is likely to indicate the city where the camera was located.

Full Story published 7/13/2009 12:02 AM

Reduce accidents or increase revenue?

A Daily Herald investigation reveals serious questions about whether cameras are being placed where they are likely to reduce crashes - or where they'll raise the most cash from unsuspecting drivers.

Full Story updated 7/12/2009 9:46 AM

Motorist appeals red-light camera ticket

For seven months, Michael Hillyer and Kathy Krawczyk resisted paying a ticket for turning right on a red light in Schaumburg.

Full Story updated 7/15/2009 10:16 AM

Rules of the red light camera

How the hammer comes down for red-light violations: Violations result from entering an intersection by passing beyond the white line after the traffic light turns red. On a right turn, a violation can result from not coming to a complete stop before the white line when the light is red.

Full Story published 7/12/2009 12:00 AM

A look at the Rules of the Road