Red-light cameras on tap in Springfield
A suburban Republican and a Chicago Democrat are joining forces to change some of the rules regulating controversial red-light surveillance cameras in the General Assembly.
Sens. John Millner, a Carol Stream Republican, and Antonio Muñoz, a Chicago Democrat, will give details of legislation they say will improve the red-light camera law on Tuesday.
"We've listened to the complaints. We've worked with the interest groups, including citizens who've received tickets," Millner said. "I think we've come up with a good rewrite to the bill."
Components of the legislation include requiring municipalities to post signs at camera locations warning drivers to stop completely at red lights and requiring yellow light timing to follow standard guidelines.
The Daily Herald investigated the phenomenon of red-light cameras cropping up across the suburbs in a series of stories this summer. Research showed that most of the $100 tickets were being issued to people turning right on red, a maneuver safety experts consider less hazardous than barreling straight through. The newspaper also found in a number of cases, cameras were installed or planned at intersections with zero or minimal crashes related to running red lights.
The imposition of a hefty $100 fine for rolling through a red light has sparked indignation from motorists and calls to rescind the law.
Millner said the decision to alter the policy was based in part on the Daily Herald series as well as conversations with constituents, police chiefs, mayors and two camera companies - Red Speed Illinois Inc. and RedFlex Traffic Systems.
Millner said he disagreed with camera critics seeking to remove the right-turn-on-red violation or reduce the fine for that particular offense.
"I think it sends a bad message to the public that it's OK to blow red lights making a right," said Millner, former Elmhurst police chief.
Reforms would include requiring police departments to review violations before they are issued, a practice not every government follows, Millner said. Another change would be allowing drivers with tickets to contest by phone instead of having to attend a hearing in person.
Regarding the light timing, Millner said he had heard rumblings that some municipalities have shortened the yellow signal instead of adhering to a uniform standard.
"If this comprehensive change doesn't fix the problems out there, the following year, we may say goodbye to the way red-light cameras are enforced," Millner said.
Red-light camera proponents say they reduce accidents and motorists who follow the law have nothing to worry about.
But Sen. Dan Duffy, calls the technology "a big racket."
He wants to repeal red-light cameras in Illinois with the exception of railroad crossings and construction zones.
"Over 90 percent of tickets come from people turning right on red," the Barrington Republican said. "If it was about safety, they would put no turn on red signs up. Instead they're making money from these at every corner."