Top Issues
Speed Limits
Red Light Cameras
Speed Cameras
Lane Courtesy
Speed Traps
All NMA Issues
Information
Fight Your Ticket
Traffic Attorneys
NMA Blog
Driving News
State Chapters
NMA Foundation
Membership
Members Area
Member Benefits
Join
Renew
Donate
Become An Activist

NMA Alerts & Email Newsletters

ILLINOIS Archives

April 12, 2012

NMA Illinois Alert: Still Time to Speak Up on Chicago Speed Cams

There’s still time to voice your opinion on Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s controversial plan to blanket the city with speed cameras.

The speed camera ordinance passed out of the Committee on Pedestrian and Traffic Safety Wednesday and will come before the full Chicago City Council on Wednesday, April 18th at 10:00 am.

According to this coverage by theexpiredmeter.com, only a minority of ward offices have reported any feedback from constituents on the issue. The good news is that most of that feedback has been anti-camera. The National Motorists Association opposes speed cameras because they are unreliable, do not improve safety and thwart due-process protections. (Learn more about the NMA's arguments against speed cameras here.)

Council members want to hear from you on this important issue. Please contact your alderman to urge him or her to oppose the speed camera ordinance. And please pass this alert on to friends and family and tell them to speak up as well.

Posted by National Motorists Association 
October 25, 2011

NMA Illinois Alert: Chicago Speed Camera Bills on Fast Track

Chicago already holds the dubious distinction of being “America’s Red-Light Camera Capital.” Not one to rest on his laurels, Mayor Rahm Emanuel is now pushing the state legislature to authorize the use of speed cameras in specified areas.
 
Two similar bills are quickly working their way through the Illinois House (HB3851) and Senate (SB0965). The House version would allow governmental agencies in cities with populations over one million to “establish automated speed enforcement (ASE) systems in designated safety zones.” The bill further defines a safety zone as:
 
 …an area that is within one-fourth of a mile from the nearest property line of any facility, area, or land owned by a park district, school district, community college district, or public or private college or university that is used for recreational or educational purposes; provided that if any portion a roadway is within that radius, the safety zone also shall include the roadway extended to the furthest portion of the next furthest intersection
 
Based on that definition is there any place in Chicago that isn’t in a “safety zone?” According to a Chicago Sun Times article, enforcement would include both red-light cameras and mobile cameras hidden in vans. Ensnared motorists would face a $100 fine.
 
Republican lawmakers have criticized the Senate bill as too broad and less about safety and more about generating revenues. (Read more.)
 
We agree. The National Motorists Association categorically opposes speed cameras and other automated traffic enforcement systems. Speed cameras are not reliable, do not improve safety and thwart due-process protections. (Learn more about the NMA's arguments against speed cameras here.)
 
The Senate bill has already moved to the full Senate for consideration while the House bill is still in committee These bills are moving fast. We urge you to contact your legislators to state your opposition and encourage your friends and family to do the same.
Posted by National Motorists Association 
January 6, 2011

NMA Des Plaines, IL Alert: Signature Drive for Red-Light Camera Referendum Coming Your Way

Spurred by the Des Plaines City Council's decision not to reconsider red-light cameras, Ald. Jim Brookman (5th) has guaranteed that he will personally work to garner enough signatures on a petition to put the question on a future election ballot. (This according to a JournalOnline article from January 4th.)

The National Motorists Association strongly opposes red-light cameras. (See our objections here.) We urge Des Plaines-area residents to contact their alderperson to voice their disapproval of RLC's and the council's refusal to reconsider them. Contact Alderman Brookman and offer your support for the petition drive. And last, but by no means least, if you are eligible, sign the petition when it appears.

It's never too late to challenge red-light cameras in your community.

Posted by National Motorists Association 


About The NMA

The premise of the National Motorists Association is that if motorists will join together in one organization to represent their rights and interests as drivers, they will no longer be ignored and exploited by federal, state and local governments. Please consider joining today!

Join Today!

Filter By Post Type/Location

Search This Section


NMA Blog

The National Motorists Association Blog has hundreds of articles on a wide range of motorist-related topics.

Read The NMA Blog

Motorist News

News from around the country that is of interest to motorists.

Visit The Motorists News Section

Driving Freedoms Magazine

Driving Freedoms is the NMA's informative quarterly magazine published on the subjects of traffic laws, motorist issues, and your rights as a driver.

Browse Past Magazine Issues

NMA Store

NMA Store

Speedtrap.org

SpeedTrap Exchange

Join National Motorists Association
Short Yellow Light Project

Short Yellow Project

Roadblock Registry

Roadblock Registry

© National Motorists Association