Rahm Emanuel wants to cover half of Chicago with photo radar

[Newsjock]

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/ct-met-speed-cameras-20111026,0,2239756.story

Nearly half the city would fall into so-called safety zones where speed cameras sought by Mayor Rahm Emanuel could flag fast drivers for $100 tickets, according to a Tribune analysis of camera legislation in Springfield.

Emanuel has framed his plan in narrow terms, pitching it as a way to leverage technology to better protect children near schools and parks. But bills introduced at the mayor's behest and being weighed this week by lawmakers would give him authority to use automated devices to nab speeders across a broad swath of city streets.

... All of which could prove a boon for Redflex Traffic Systems Inc., the exclusive vendor for city camera equipment since the red-light program began here in 2003. Since then, city records show, Redflex has been paid more than $76 million.

... State records show Redflex has hired the influential lobbying firm of Fletcher, O'Brien, Kasper and Nottage, P.C., to push its interests in Springfield. One of the firm's named members, attorney Michael Kasper, is the general counsel and treasurer of the state Democratic Party that Madigan runs. Kasper was also hired by Emanuel to beat back several residency challenges that threatened his mayoral run.

[Arctic Dave]

1. What is the saying about being judged by the company you keep?"

Avert your lying eyes!

[JDPriestly]

2. Rahm Emmanuel = corruption? That's the impression I get from

this report.

LA tried those cameras but I think they took them down because they caused some problems. I might be wrong about that, but I think I read that somewhere.

"Collection has been a big issue," Deputy Chief Mike Downing said. "We asked for changes in state law to put some consequences in this, but it was rejected."

Richard Tefank, executive officer to the Board of Police Commissioners, said collection was one of the concerns the commission had when it recommended ending the program.

"Right now, it is a voluntary pay program," Tefank said. "If you receive a photo red light ticket ... what we have in Los Angeles County is the courts have made the decision they will not
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refer them to the DMV to put a hold on a license" if the ticket is not paid.

http://www.dailybreeze.com/news/ci_18325393?source=rss

Illinois law may or may not require payment of tickets imposed as a result of these cameras. I have no idea.

[msongs]

3. well they voted for him so suck it up nt