Making sure we don't get 'freeways'

Your rational arguments about the proposed Route Route 53 extension are futile.

A few years ago, I remember Chicago leadership explaining that traffic cameras were going to keep our children safe. Of course, the data showed that radar speed signs (not traffic cameras) were more effective at slowing down drivers.

Of course, we all knew that the real reason - the only reason - for the cameras was to increase revenue - by taxing us.

The reality is that the tollway is like any other business looking to grow their customer base. Every car is potential new business. They need to move those cars from the city streets to the tollways and capture the additional revenue. That's their priority.

Until we start limiting how long tolls can be collected, you should expect your protests to fall on deaf ears. So I sympathize when Lake County residents cite their logic and data in exasperation to the tollway.

I understand how leaders from opposing political parties like Gerri Songer and Aaron Lawlor can be on the same side of this issue. For the tollway, it's not about adding conveniences or even reducing traffic. It's simply about collecting more money from us and ensuring that tollways never become "freeways."

Peter Waitzman

Mundelein