Mayor Rahm Emanuels's speed cam bill, known as SB0965, will come to a resolution by the end of this month (January), according to the Illinois Governor Patrick Quinn's press spokeswoman, Brooke Anderson. The governor will either sign or veto the bill at that time.
The controversial bill, which passed both houses of the Illinois legislature this past year on November 9th. The bill did not reach Governor Quinn's desk until December 12th. The Governor then stated he wanted to "study" the bill and give it a thorough analysis.
Earlier this year the state legislature passed a bill pushed by Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel that would permit cameras at intersections within an eighth of a mile of the city's school zones and parks , in so-called "safety zones." It would also track speeders with cameras mounted on unmarked vehicles patroling those areas.
That bill is still sitting on the governor's desk. Quinn said he'll start examining the bill soon, but hasn't said whether he'd it would get his approval.
"We're going to get on that," Quinn said on Monday. "You know, we've had so many things we've had to work on. That bill just arrived, so we'll give it a good microscopic review and have a decision."
We will soon have a decision on the bill and there is no indication on which way the governor is leaning. The bill pass the Illinois Senate and House with support of the leadership, including in the support of House Majority Leader Barbara Flynn Currie (D-Chicago).
“We can protect our children. We can show a significant reduction in speeding. That’ll lead not to just fewer fatalities, but it’ll lead to a lot less serious injuries along the way,” said House Majority Leader Barbara Flynn Currie (D-Chicago), the bill’s chief House sponsor.
“All the studies show us when you have strong enforcement … of the speeding laws, guess what: People slow down,” she said.
The plan would allow the cameras to be mounted in areas within one-eighth of a mile of city parks and schools and subject those speeding more than 5 mph over the posted limit to fines of between $50 and $100, depending on their speed.
The signing of the bill by the governor would be a clear victory for Mayor Rahm Emanuel, having heavily lobbied legislators to pass the bill. It would also be a source of revenue, much-needed revenue for the city of Chicago. Also, Mayor Emanuel consistently emphasizes the "safety of children" as being the number one purpose of passing the bill and having the cameras installed.
The Chicago Tribune chimed in, supporting the bill with the headline, "Speeding cameras: Go, governor" and admonishing those opposed to the bill that "If you don't speed, you won't have to pay."
Vetoing the bill would be a widely popular move for the Governor. The Southtown Star recently wrote in an editorial that the bill needs revisions and the fines are too stiff. And they question the effectiveness of the cameras.
We’re dubious about the cameras’ effectiveness in deterring speeders, the city’s main motive (raising gobs of cash through fines) and about installing more surveillance cameras in a city that already has blue-light and red-light cameras on seemingly every other corner. We’re not ready to sign up for the Tea Party, but where’s the limit on government intrusion into our daily lives?
The city plan would put speed cameras in areas within one-eighth of a mile of a park or school. That covers about half of Chicago. A first ticket would mean a warning, followed by fines of $50 for speeding 6 to 10 mph over and $100 for driving more than 10 mph over the limit.
We agree with enforcing speed limits and protecting pedestrians, but a $100 fine for going 32 mph in a 20-mph zone? Seems pretty stiff to us. And what about police patrols? Sure, patrol cops have other crime concerns, but isn’t spotting speeders part of their job?
The Southtown Star calls for lowering the fines to $50 for a 10 mph-plus violation and $100 if it’s 20 mph or more. They end with the suggestion that "Big Brother should be kept at bay" in our lives.
We will just have to wait for the governor's conclusion of his "study."
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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