Kane County thinking about adding red light cameras
Drivers on Kane County-operated roads might not be free from the watchful eyes of red light cameras for much longer if the county board OKs a new proposal.
Kane County Sheriff Pat Perez Friday pitched a plan to install the county's first red light camera. If "successful," the county would install cameras at more intersections.
The county is in desperate need of income as it faces a projected deficit. Departments have already been ordered to trim 5.5 percent from their budgets. Despite the need, Perez said his motivation for adding the camera now is about safety, not filling the county's coffers.
"Will this generate revenue? Of course it will," Perez told the county board's Transportation Committee. "However, it only generates revenue from those who choose to break the traffic laws. There's really no difference between this and an officer who would stop you on the street."
The difference is, with budget reductions and a hiring freeze, Perez does not have the same manpower to have officers at problematic intersections.
In this case, the intersection that would receive the first camera is northbound Orchard Road approaching the westbound Interstate 88 ramp in unincorporated North Aurora. A red light camera supplier recently completed a study of the intersection and found 120 moving violations. Further review by the sheriff's department deemed the number of violations worthy of a fine proved to be about 60.
Footage of the study showed most violations are motorists failing to come to a complete stop before making a right turn on a red light.
"If we can reduce the chance of someone getting injured at that intersection, then we're doing our job," Perez said.
However, transportation division staff said the intersection is not known to have many accidents. Transportation Committee Chairman Bill Wyatt, of Aurora, questioned if it is really necessary to issue a ticket for not stopping before making a right turn when there are no signs of approaching traffic.
Perez said each violation will be reviewed. Only blatant violations will be ticketed. However, Perez said he wouldn't let someone off just because traffic was light.
"You're asking me to condone breaking the law," Perez said. "It is against the law to run a red light, period."
The issue will now be reviewed by the full county board. Transportation Committee members advised Perez to prepare for a gauntlet of questions, including whether or not all other elected officials involved with the adjudication of a ticket are on board. That issue stems from a recent mutiny of sorts by the county's circuit clerk and treasurer, who have ceased or threatened to cease non-mandated functions in response to the latest budget cuts.