Algonquin to get traffic cameras

It's official -- red light cameras will be coming to an Algonquin intersection near you.

Trustees this week agreed that ACS State and Local Solutions Inc. will furnish three intersections with four such cameras.

But questions from residents remain on what the cameras will actually catch.

For example, if someone pulls up beyond the white line in an intersection to make a left turn, and gets stuck there after the light turns red, is that a ticketable offense?

And if the camera catches you running a red light and gives you a ticket, does the offense go on your driving record?

The answer to both questions is no, said Sgt. Wade Merritt, head of the police department's traffic division.

Pulling into that intersection to make your left turn is another offense entirely, but one the cameras won't punish you for, Merritt said.

"It's not a red light violation, however it is still a violation of the law," Merritt said. "You are not supposed to enter an intersection until it is safe to make the complete turn."

But the chances of Algonquin officers issuing you a ticket for that are slim to none, because it's "become socially acceptable" for motorists everywhere to do it, Merritt said.

Your driving record isn't anything you need to worry about if you get one of the camera's $100 tickets.

However, if a police officer pulls you over for running a red light, it will go on your record, Merritt said.

There will be four cameras in all -- two for Algonquin and Randall Roads and one apiece for Randall Road and Bunker Hill Drive and routes 31 and 62.

These intersections log the most accidents in town, Merritt said.

It could take as many as 45 days before officials secure proper permits from the Illinois Department of Transportation and McHenry County to install the cameras near the three busy intersections.

A 30-day grace period will follow before the system begins issuing tickets.

If you don't remember blazing through the red light, you can view the footage for yourself on ACS' Web site by typing in a special access code, which will come with your ticket, Merritt said.

Still, the service doesn't come cheap.

Each camera costs $4,950 a month to rent -- that's a total of $19,800 -- or 198 tickets at $100 a pop -- that the village will be shelling out monthly.

But officials say that money generated from the tickets is expected to more than make up for those expenses.