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Chicago's Red Light Cameras Now a Point of Contention for Mayoral Candidates

Posted by timothy on from the man-vs-the-state's-electronic-proxy dept.

The same system of red-light cameras in Chicago that was shown last year to have been generating bogus tickets is still around -- but now, reports Reuters, it's a political punching bag for opponents of Chicago mayor Rahm Emanuel in an upcoming election. "[Emanuel], who supports the nation's largest automated camera system, is polling slightly under the 50 percent plus one vote he needs to avoid a run-off against the second-highest vote-getter. Three of the four challengers seeking to topple Emanuel say the cameras should go. Emanuel's closest rival, Cook County Commissioner Jesus "Chuy" Garcia, who is polling at about 20 percent, said he would only keep cameras that have been proven to reduce accidents. .... Chicago has red-light cameras at 174 intersections and 144 speed cameras near schools and parks around the city. They have brought in $500 million since 2003, according to media reports, a figure Chicago has neither confirmed nor disputed.

4 of 93 comments (clear)

  1. its all about the $$$ by ganjadude · · Score: 5, Insightful
    Its been proven time and time again that red light cameras do more harm than good. how can anyone still support such bad use of tech???

    They have brought in $500 million since 2003, according to media reports,

    Ahhhh, its all so clear now.....

    --
    have you seen my sig? there are many others like it but none that are the same
    1. Re:its all about the $$$ by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

      Correct.

      A Congressional investigation and study showed that the Yellow lights were shortened to ensure people running Red lights. The Congressional finding were a condemnation of every politician trying to increase cashflow at the expense of safety.

    2. Re:its all about the $$$ by tugboat0902 · · Score: 5, Funny

      But then you would have the opposite problem. People stopping at green lights.

  2. Selling Chicago one chunk at a time... by seven+of+five · · Score: 5, Funny

    Over the past 10-15 years we've seen the politicians sell the Chicago Skyway, the parking meters, and the red light/speeding cameras to private interests. The money is gone and the city is still stuck with deficits in the hundreds of millions. Maybe the mayor and councilmen should get those jackets with ad patches like NASCAR.