Ill. House sends speed-camera measure to governor

SPRINGFIELD — The Illinois Legislature approved a measure Wednesday authorizing speed-enforcement cameras around Chicago's parks and schools, a win for Mayor Rahm Emanuel who argued it was needed to protect pedestrians.

Cameras would monitor traffic near schools and send $100 tickets to motorists in cars going more than 5 mph over the limit. The ticket would not be considered a moving violation.

The measure, which was previously approved by the Senate, cleared the House on a 64-50 vote. A spokeswoman said Gov. Pat Quinn has not decided whether to sign it.

"We can protect our children. We can show a significant reduction in speeding. That'll lead not to just fewer fatalities, but it'll lead to a lot of less serious injury along the way," said the bill's chief house sponsor, Majority Leader Barbara Flynn Currie, a Chicago Democrat.

However, critics compared the cameras to similar machines in populated areas that catch those ignoring red lights. They say they don't improve safety but produce huge revenues for local governments. They also question the reliability of the photos.

"This is going to hit local taxpayers in their own neighborhoods. It's going to hit them repeatedly. And we've heard before there are many, many mistakes with these cameras. I think it's a nightmare that we open up and allow this," said Rep. Jack Franks, a Marengo Democrat who voted against the plan. "This is just a rotten idea."

In a statement, Emanuel commended legislators for approving the bill, calling it "another step in our comprehensive plan to protect children from harm."

The legislation allows the Chicago City Council to authorize the use of the speed cameras starting July 1, 2012.

Related legislation passed Wednesday by the House would allow cameras around schools to operate from 6 a.m. and 8:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and until 9 p.m. on Friday. Cameras near parks would operate an hour before parks open and an hour after they close. That legislation must be approved by the Senate.

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The bill is SB965. Online: http://www.ilga.gov