Island Lake candidates divided on red-light cameras

The six candidates running for seats on Island Lake’s village board are divided over whether the town should install red-light cameras at local intersections.

The issue has not come before the board in recent months, but it has surfaced in area communities. Several — including Deer Park, Lake Zurich, Wauconda — have installed the devices, which record vehicles going through red traffic lights and help generate tickets for the offenses.

Island Lake’s candidates are evenly split on the issue.

Shannon Fox, Thea Morris and Joe Ptak oppose bringing the cameras to Island Lake.

Charles Cermak, Allen Murvine and Mary Piekarski see potential benefits in a red-light camera program.

The six candidates are battling for three seats with 4-year terms. Fox, Morris and Ptak are running together; Cermak, Murvine and Piekarski have formed a slate, too.

The candidates answered a question from the Daily Herald about red-light cameras in recent e-mails.

Cermak said he sees pros and cons when it comes to red-light cameras but leans toward favoring them, particularly if they can improve pedestrian safety.

“I also believe they would be beneficial at heavy traffic intersections,” he said. “Red-light cameras make the motorists more aware of the surroundings when they know that a camera system is installed at an intersection.”

He favors placing them along Route 176 at Newport Court, Eastway Drive and Westridge Drive.

Fox doesn’t believe Island Lake would benefit from a red-light camera program. In particular, she didn’t think they would successfully raise money for the village, citing a study that indicates ticket-revenue drops once motorists become aware of the cameras.

She also said she believes the cameras increase the occurrence of rear-end accidents.

“Personally, I find the flash of the camera to be very startling and unsettling as I drive at night and do not feel that it is a good idea to introduce a system that adds distractions to drivers,” Fox said.

Morris called the debate over cameras “highly charged” and said they’re a “poor choice” for increasing local revenue or road safety.

Morris called the cameras distracting and complained about drivers who slam on their brakes “to a camera flash.”

Murvine said he isn’t opposed to cameras being installed at accident-prone intersections “if there are truly safety benefits.”

But he also backs those state legislators who are pushing for red-light camera laws to be revisited regarding rolling stops or legal right turns on red.

If the village installs cameras, officials should pursue state or federal grants, Murvine said.

Piekarski said she isn’t opposed to red-light cameras in Island Lake as long as people review the photos — which generally is the case. The devices shouldn’t burden the village financially, either, she said.

“I have a new driver in my family, and anything that will improve motorist safety would get my approval,” Piekarski said. “The additional revenue is an added bonus.”

Ptak strongly opposes red-light cameras, saying he’s sick of government “endlessly encroaching on the lives of Americans.”

He further criticized the devices as “nothing more than tools for financial gain for the manufacturers, invested promoters and municipalities.”

All six candidates are running for the first time. The winners will replace three incumbents who aren’t seeking re-election.