Red-light camera jockey

I went to a red-light camera violation hearing in a local Northwest suburb and I believe I presented a strong case for my acquittal. I argued that the red-light camera and sign system at that intersection was faulty: I had come to a complete stop and the "No Turn on Red" sign was placed at a totally different location within the intersection than the red-light camera warning sign - a very poor design.

I was found guilty anyway and ordered to pay the $100 fine. When I respectfully asked the hearing officer for a break or for probation based on my perfect driving record and my crushing health care bills, he showed no mercy and said no. I paid the fine in person at the cashier immediately after the hearing ended.

Later, out of curiosity, I Googled the hearing officer's name and found that he had bragged on the LinkedIn social media platform about being hired for that job. Interestingly, his resume also said that he has held (and continues to hold) a whole slew of additional government jobs in nearby local towns, including prosecutor, planning commissioner, police commissioner, etc.

Before he ruled against me, the hearing officer said he was "envious" that I was retired (I had in fact retired for health reasons). Judging by all the political jobs he has had and continues to have, with generous taxpayer-funded retirement plans, he has nothing to worry about. He will probably get a combined government pension of about $100,000 annually. That's a whole lot of red-light camera tickets.

Bob Freud

Arlington Heights