Red-light cameras may be coming to Des Plaines

Mounted traffic cameras could soon be focused on two accident-heavy Des Plaines intersections - Mount Prospect Road and Touhy Avenue, and River and Golf roads.

The Des Plaines City Council Monday night selected Lombard-based RedSpeed Illinois as its vendor to administer the automated red-light camera enforcement program it authorized in April 2008.

Despite lingering concerns over the safety of the photo enforcement program, the vote was 5-3 in favor of hiring RedSpeed, which serves 51 communities in Illinois.

Alderman Carla Brookman previously questioned the company's proposal because it projected the least amount of net revenues for Des Plaines. Three other vendors were promising more than $9,000 in net revenues.

Des Plaines Police Chief Jim Prandini produced revised calculations Monday showing RedSpeed would generate more revenue than originally estimated based on another suburban town's experience.

In Lake in the Hills, two red-light cameras generated 109 violations during a month. If the same occurred in Des Plaines and 100 percent of fines were collected, the city would receive $4,637 net revenue monthly through RedSpeed, three times as much as what other vendors could generate, Prandini estimated.

That's because the individual camera cost for other vendors is higher, whereas RedSpeed charges more for its administrative work, he said.

The company's take is roughly 30 percent of every $100 ticket issued.

Des Plaines would need permission from the Illinois Department of Transportation and Cook County to place cameras at those intersections since Touhy Avenue, River and Golf roads are state routes, and Mount Prospect Road is maintained by the county.

Getting state approval takes six months because IDOT first determines whether red-light cameras are necessary and the best option for traffic safety improvements, Prandini said.