Illinois Governor Patrick Quinn must decide by February 6th whether to veto Mayor Rahm Emanuel's speed cam bill, known as SB0965. If the Governor does not act by then, the bill becomes law. The Governor can simply sign the bill and the bill will become law. The latter two actions would make Mayor Rahm Emanuel a happy man.
The so-called "speed cam bill" is the Mayor's baby and as he has often stated that he wants it signed into law for the "children." Saving the lives of children is what it is all about and not the possible revenues the "speed cams" would raise.
The governor has received 224 phone calls, letters or on-line communications on the bill, and more than 91 percent were against the new law, according to Quinn’s office.
Emanuel shrugged off the negative response.
“All the data show that, when you put the cameras in, people comply. It’s the right thing to do. I didn’t think it was going to be popular. The question is, can I save lives?” the mayor said Monday.
A recent report received by a group called the The Expired Meter, filed a FOI request and here is what they learned.
The Governor’s office released a report via a Freedom of Information request by The Expired Meter, that shows the Governor’s office has received a total of 224 phone calls, emails or letters from constituents regarding SB965, of which just 19 were in support of the bill. The other 205–over 91%–were opposed to the bill and urged the Governor to veto it.
In total the Governor’s office received 15 letters (11 opposed, 4 in support), 36 phone calls (35 opposed, 1 in support) and 173 email comments via the Governor’s website (159 opposed, 14 in support).
“I think that’s fantastic, but I’m not surprised.” said Cook County Campaign For Liberty’s Scott Davis about the public response to the bill. “People know speed cameras are not about safety, but about revenue.”
The Governor's decision should come down shortly and we are cautioned to not make any assumptions on which way the Governor is leaning.
We will have it for you so stay tuned.
Send John Presta an email and your story ideas or suggestions, johnpresta@att.net.
John is the author of an award-winning book, the 2010 Winner of the USA National Best Book award for African-American studies, published by The Elevator Group Mr. and Mrs. Grassroots: How Barack Obama, Two Bookstore Owners, and 300 Volunteers did it. Also available an eBook on Amazon.
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