Elgin fine-tuning deal for red-light cameras

Red-light cameras are still coming to Elgin, but not as early as expected.

The city is still working out the details of an agreement with Arizona-based Redflex to install and monitor cameras at 13 city intersections.

The council was slated to sign off on the 30-day study Wednesday, but the item was not up for a vote.

"It's not that we have an issue that could derail it," said Olufemi Folarin, city manager.

City leaders say the cameras are to encourage motorists to drive more safely and not necessarily to increase revenue via fines.

After the study comes back, the city intends to sign a contract with Redflex to install, monitor and maintain a citywide network of cameras.

Red-light cameras have become a more commonly used tool in law enforcement -- Geneva city officials this week agreed to have Redflex install cameras at four intersections -- and entrepreneurs have responded.

One Pennsylvania firm advertises a transparent spray that motorists can apply to their plates.

The spray reflects and overexposes the license plate numbers and letters when the red-light camera takes a photo, making it difficult, if not impossible, for law enforcement to issue a ticket.

On Jan. 1, 2006, in Illinois, it became a crime punishable by a $500 fine to prevent an I-PASS camera from reading a license plate, said Illinois Secretary of State's office spokesman David Drucker.

The same fine applies to the red-light cameras.

Police in Chicago, which has had red-light cameras since 2003, have noticed some motorists blocking their plates via the transparent spray.

"We are aware of the practice, but do not have enough information or incidents where a problem has been identified," said Monique Bond, Chicago Police Department spokeswoman.