Red-light camera changes head to governor
SPRINGFIELD - After months of debate at the Capitol about how to handle red-light cameras, lawmakers finally approved a measure Friday that would give drivers more leeway at intersections, but change little else with the controversial ticketing devices.
The Illinois House approved the legislation 80-27, and it now heads to Gov. Pat Quinn for approval. A Quinn spokesman said the governor would review the legislation when it gets to his desk.
The legislation prevents authorities from ticketing motorists who stop beyond the white line or cross walk before entering an intersection with a red-light camera. Meanwhile, drivers could receive the $100 tickets for making rolling right turns, a common driving maneuver that experts say is far less dangerous than the straight-through violations used to sell the cameras to the public.
The changes come after months of debate in the wake of revelations that a majority of tickets are being given out for such violations, as shown in the Daily Herald's investigation of the red-light camera system in the West, North and Northwest suburbs.
State Rep. Paul Froehlich, a Schaumburg Democrat, said there were three communities in his area - Elk Grove Village, Roselle and Rolling Meadows - that used the cameras and have seen a drop in the number of accidents.
"This bill addresses several areas people were concerned about," Froehlich said.
State Rep. Careen Gordon, a Morris Democrat, voted against the legislation, arguing that drivers could avoid the problems caused by red-light cameras if they simply followed the law.
"When it comes right down to it, stop and you won't get a ticket," Gordon said.
The legislation also requires police officers or retired police officers to review the tickets in the collar counties, while Chicago and suburban Cook County operations could rely on trained technicians to review the violations.
Also under the measure, motorists would be able to review citations online and they would not have to pay a fee to appeal the violations - practices that are already implemented in the vast majority of cases.
Some critics of the cameras have pushed for a complete repeal of the devices, saying they're merely moneymaking tools and have little to do with public safety. State Sen. Dan Duffy, a Lake Barrington Republican who has received red-light tickets, led the charge for a full repeal, but his proposal gained little steam.
The emotional red-light debate at the Capitol became personal at times. Senate President John Cullerton, a Chicago Democrat, targeted Duffy during a committee hearing by repeatedly showing red-light camera footage of the suburban lawmaker making a rolling-right turn through an intersection, though Duffy had earlier said he had stopped behind the white line and then inched forward.
The compromise was largely hammered out in a closed-door meeting with camera-company lobbyists in the Capitol. Lawmakers involved said the lobbyists were only there to answer questions and had no major part in crafting the legislation.
How your lawmakers votedThe Illinois House approved a measure 80-27 to prevent authorities from ticketing motorists who stop beyond the white line or cross walk before entering an intersection with a red-light camera. The proposal now heads to the governor for consideration.Local representatives voting "yes":Mark H. Beaubien Jr., Barrington Hills RepublicanRobert A. "Bob" Biggins, Elmhurst RepublicanLinda Chapa-LaVia, Aurora DemocratFranco Coladipietro, Bloomingdale RepublicanSandy Cole, Grayslake RepublicanTom Cross, Oswego Republican (House Republican leader)Keith Farnham, Elgin DemocratMike Fortner, West Chicago RepublicanJack D. Franks, Woodstock DemocratPaul Froehlich, Schaumburg DemocratEmily McAsey, Lockport DemocratRosemary Mulligan, Des Plaines RepublicanElaine Nekritz, Northbrook DemocratSandra M. Pihos, Glen Ellyn RepublicanDennis Reboletti, Elmhurst RepublicanCarol Sente, Vernon Hills DemocratAngelo "Skip" Saviano, Elmwood Park RepublicanTimothy L. Schmitz, Batavia RepublicanDarlene Senger, Naperville RepublicanMichael Tryon, Crystal Lake Republican Mark Walker, Arlington Heights DemocratEddie Washington, Waukegan DemocratLocal representatives voting "no":Suzanne "Suzie" Bassi, Rolling Meadows RepublicanMichael Connelly, Lisle RepublicanKay Hatcher, Yorkville RepublicanRandy Ramey, Carol Stream RepublicanEd Sullivan Jr., Mundelein RepublicanAbsent or not voting: Fred Crespo, Hoffman Estates Democrat Sidney H. Mathias, Buffalo Grove RepublicanJoAnn Osmond, Antioch RepublicanSource: House roll call, SB 935