Lawmaker gunning for red-light cameras
Kevin Beese — February 16, 2015
A northwest suburban lawmaker is pushing to get red-light cameras removed from intersections throughout the state.
State Rep. David McSweeney, (R-52nd), says the cameras are not living up to the billing they were given when introduced.
“The evidence shows that they have not improved safety and are only a revenue generator for local governments,” McSweeney said. “Rear-end collisions at these intersections have actually increased 22 percent.”
McSweeney has introduced legislation in the state House to eliminate red-light cameras. He said the move would reduce the financial burden Illinois residents bear with the cameras.
“I think their use now is to raise revenue and that concept is flawed,” McSweeney said.
House Bill 173 would repeal the state law that allows automated red-light cameras at intersections.
“Chicago’s red-light cameras fail to deliver the safety benefits claimed by proponents,” McSweeney said. “House Bill 173 would prevent all local units of government from using red-light cameras.”
Forty-six Cook County communities have red-light cameras in operation. Cameras are in use in:
- Alsip
- Bedford Park
- Bellwood
- Bensenville
- Berwyn
- Blue Island
- Calumet City
- Chicago
- Cook County
- Country Club Hills
- Countryside
- Des Plaines
- Elk Grove Village
- Forest Park
- Franklin Park
- Hoffman Estates
- Hometown
- Homewood
- Lincolnwood
- Lynwood
- Lyons
- Markham
- Maywood
- Melrose Park
- Morton Grove
- North Riverside
- Northlake
- Oak Forest
- Oak Lawn
- Olympia Fields
- Orland Park
- Palatine
- Palos Heights
- Palos Hills
- River Forest
- Roselle
- Schiller Park
- Skokie
- South Chicago Heights
- South Holland
- Streamwood
- Tinley Park
- Westchester
- Western Springs
- Wheeling
- Worth
McSweeney’s legislation is currently in the state House’s Rules Committee. He said that he has spoken with a lot of different House members regarding the legislation and said it has broad bipartisan support.
“My constituents are very supportive of it,” McSweeney said of the legislation. “My view is that these cameras do not improve safety. I am going to push this measure and push it hard.”
State Sen. Dan Duffy, (R-26th), has also started efforts to eliminate the cameras. He noted that Ohio Gov. John Kasich signed a bill that limits how municipalities can use red-light and speed cameras. The bipartisan legislation prohibits cities in Ohio from issuing camera-related citations unless a police officer is present to witness the red-light or speeding violation.
