The controversy: are they merely government moneymakers or do they save lives?

Chicago started installing red-light cameras seven years ago and in recent years more suburbs have added them.

Camera advocates and opponents both tout accident statistics to make their point for either more cameras or no cameras.

There is a growing movement among opponents of red-light cameras statewide. Transportation committee chairman Martin Sandoval says those people will be heard along with those who support the cameras. His committee heard one proposal to ban the cameras Tuesday. Now he is vowing to hear from all sides in the next couple of weeks.

The city of Chicago, according to some critics, leads the country in the number of red-light cameras with more than 140 locations. City officials insist they make those intersections safer. But critics say it's just the opposite. They say accidents actually increase because of the cameras.

"It's totally a revenue generator. There is nothing about the red-light cameras that increases safety," said Peter Breen, BanRedCams.com.

Breen started a Website called banredcams.com which includes video of an intersection where he says 95 percent of the tickets are for making seemingly legal right turns on red. His Facebook page has more than 1,600 followers.

Forrest Jehlik has gotten two red-light camera tickets at $100 each. But says he had little choice.

"You have to make a split decision. Am I going to slam my brakes on and run the risk of being hit or just run through the light and take a chance of getting a ticket," said Jehlik.

Chicago's Active Transportation Alliance, however, supports the cameras saying they do increase safety.

"There is a small boost to rear-end crashes initially and then it levels off. But in those head-on crashes...it reduces and that's the important thing here," said Rob Sadowsky, Active Transportation Alliance.

Over the weekend red-light camera opponents gathered at a North Side red-light intersection carrying signs and handing out leaflets.

The Illinois Senate transportation committee is taking up the issue. Senator Dan Duffy has proposed banning the cameras except in railroad and construction zones.

"These red-light cameras are all about revenue and not about safety and studies have shown that accidents actually increase in intersections with these cameras, they don't decrease," said Duffy.

The village of Schaumburg used the cameras for several months before taking them down. They brought in $1 million in fines but almost as many complaints.

"We depend upon folks coming to Schaumburg, and staying in Schaumburg and coming back to Schaumburg, not telling neighbors or friends or co-workers about the $100 ticket they got in the mail," said Al Larson, Schaumburg Village President.

Among the other proposals state lawmakers will hear is one that would eliminate tickets for turning right on red.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                   February 17, 2010 

Springfield, Illinois— On Tuesday, February 16, the State Senate created a special subcommittee to discuss red light camera legislation including Senator Dan Duffy’s (R-Lake Barrington) bill which would prohibit the use of red light cameras in Illinois. Hearings in Springfield are expected within two weeks.

“ Illinois citizens are very upset with the intrusive nature of the red light cameras and are contacting their representatives in Springfield.  The voters understand that the cameras raise lots of revenue for the government to spend while improvement in safety is questionable,” said Senator Duffy.  “Senator Martin Sandoval (D-Cicero), Chairman of the Transportation Committee, has assured me that we will hold hearings within two weeks and the issue will be thoroughly discussed in an open and transparent manner. He also promised that that there is time to vote on the legislation during this session.” 

A five member subcommittee will be appointed to deal exclusively with red-light camera legislation. The subcommittee will be made up of members of the Senate Transportation Committee.

 “Chairman Sandoval agrees that dealing with red-light cameras is an important issue.” explained Senator Duffy. “I look forward to working with my fellow legislators to put an end to the red light cameras in Illinois.”

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Not so fast, drivers.

A group of bills pending before the Illinois General Assembly is looking to put the brakes on red light cameras throughout the Chicago area. The proposals are seeking to limit or ban the use of cameras that snap pictures of motorists who ignore traffic signals.

"I want to stop the red light racket," said state Sen. Dan Duffy (R-Barrington). "It's completely unfair. It has nothing to do with a red light, it has to do with raising money."

Duffy's plan is one of a handful of proposals before the Illinois Legislature that deal with the use of controversial red light cameras. Proposals range from imposing new limits on how the red light cameras are used to Duffy's call for an outright ban anywhere except around railroad crossings and road construction.

Camera proponents say the cameras force motorists to slow down when approaching intersections and make travel safer by reducing crashes. Opponents, meanwhile, say the devices only serve to enrich local governments and endanger more people by causing drivers to brake quickly to avoid costly fines.

Red light cameras are already in use in a number of towns throughout the Southland, including Oak Lawn, Orland Park and Worth.

Duffy says he's opposed to them because he believes they're geared more toward bringing in money for local governments and the companies that operate the cameras than improving safety. Motorists who try to defend themselves also face an uphill battle, Duffy said.

"I get hundreds and hundreds of e-mails on this," Duffy said. "You're guilty until you prove yourself innocent."

Dan Persky, an attorney for the Chicago-based Active Transportation Alliance, said his organization opposes any legislation that would limit or ban the use of red light cameras. Persky said they cause motorists to pay greater attention around intersections and increase safety for pedestrians, bicyclists and other drivers.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                   February 11, 2010 

Springfield, Illinois— Legislation that seeks to remove all red light cameras in Illinois is scheduled to be heard in the Senate Transportation Committee on Tuesday, February 16th. The main sponsor and initiator of the legislation, State Senator Dan Duffy (R-Lake Barrington) is eager to see the legislation pass and move to the Senate floor for a vote.  

“This is what we have been waiting for,” said Senator Duffy. “It's time to end the red light racket in  Illinois."  

Senate Bill 2466 would repeal all existing red light camera legislation, except for those cameras located in construction zones and at railroad crossings.  Currently, red light cameras are notorious for ticketing drivers making legal right hand turns at red lights. Violations are usually one hundred dollars; with a large portion of the money going to the private companies that install, maintain and regulate the cameras.  

Senator Duffy also noted that currently the legislation has 16 co-sponsors from both sides of the aisle.  

“Ending the use of red light cameras is a true bi-partisan effort,” stated Duffy. “This issue impacts everyone who drives a car and lives in Illinois.”  

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