Gurnee's red-light cameras ready to debut

Drivers soon will have to be on their best behavior when heading to Gurnee for tourist attractions such as Six Flags Great America and KeyLime Cove Water Resort.

Gurnee police crime prevention technician Tom Agos said a 30-day warning period for the village's red-light camera system is expected to start in early May. He said the village will publicize its traffic camera plans.

"We're certainly not trying to hoodwink anybody," Agos said Monday.

Gurnee was one of the first suburbs to consider installing red-light cameras in 2006, but official village board approval didn't come until December 2007. Gurnee then had to obtain permits from the Illinois Department of Transportation.

Village officials contend making major intersections safer - not revenue - drove the pursuit of the photo enforcement. Village Administrator James Hayner said last week red light violation fines should generate $370,000 over the budget year starting May 1.

Red-light camera offenses aren't moving violations and vehicle owners - not drivers - will get $100 tickets. Drivers are allowed to appeal the tickets through a process established by the village.

Agos said the following will be the first intersections with photo enforcement from Redflex Traffic Systems Inc.:

•East- and westbound Route 132, also known as Grand Avenue, at Hunt Club Road near Gurnee Mills;

•East- and westbound Route 132 at Dilley's Road by Great America and KeyLime Cove.

•Route 41 in each direction at Delany Road.

•East- and westbound Route 132 at Route 21.

Cameras are planned for east- and westbound Washington Street at Route 21 and Hunt Club Road in the program's second phase later in the year, said Agos. He said the village has yet to receive the needed permits for those intersections.

Gurnee draws about 26 million visitors annually. The lion's share of the tourist traffic goes to Gurnee Mills, Great America and KeyLime Cove.

Meanwhile, Redflex has alleviated concerns it won't forward to Gurnee police potential red-light violations from semitrailers, because the drivers in the separate cab portion typically are not the owners, said Agos.

Agos said the Redflex system captures a vehicle's rear license plate, which is why trailer owners would be ticketed. He said Redflex might alter its system to get front-license images, which would include a trucker's cab, if too many violations are being sent to trailer owners.

Redflex spokeswoman Shoba Vaitheeswaran didn't return a message seeking comment.