Governor Signs Red Light Camera Expansion Bill

WASHINGTON, D.C. (May 24, 2006) – A lifesaving bill for high risk intersections in eight Illinois counties became state law on Monday as Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich (D) signed House Bill 4835. The legislation allows communities in Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, Madison, McHenry, St. Clair and Will counties to use red light cameras to reduce red light running crashes and violations. Previously, only the City of Chicago had been permitted by state law to use red light cameras.

Seventy percent of the 12.7 million people in Illinois live the eight counties covered by the legislation. Communities that can now pursue the installation of red light cameras include; Aurora, Belleville, East St. Louis, Elgin, Evanston, Joliet, Naperville, Wheaton and Woodstock.

Sen. John Cullerton (D-Chicago) was one of the lawmakers who made the legislation a priority during this legislative session.

“We have seen the success Chicago has had with their program in reducing violations and changing driver behavior, and we wanted other Illinois communities to be able to have the same opportunity to reduce the instance of red light running,” said Sen. Cullerton.

The latest statistics from Chicago show a 30 percent reduction in red light running violations at the intersections equipped with red light cameras. The city is expanding its camera program and expects to have cameras at 60 intersections by 2007.

“We applaud the actions of the state leadership in Illinois for making traffic safety a priority,” said Leslie Blakey, Executive Director of the National Campaign to Stop Red Light Running. As Chicago has seen from their successful program, red light cameras provide a strong deterrent against drivers who insist on blatantly breaking the law.”

Red light camera violations are considered petty offenses under Illinois law with a monetary fine of $250 or 25 hours of community service for first violations, and $500 for a second or subsequent violations.

The National Campaign to Stop Red Light Running is a national advocacy group guided by an independent advisory board that includes leaders from the fields of traffic safety, law enforcement, transportation engineering, health care and emergency medicine, as well as crash victims. More information on the Campaign can be found at www.stopredlightrunning.com.