Red-Light Cameras Go Down

May 28th, 2008 at 08:01am Aaron Chambers

Lawmakers have already authorized red-light cameras in Chicago, one of the nation’s hotbeds for the technology. But they drew the line last night at authorizing them in Rockford and other communities around Illinois.

SPRINGFIELD — Lawmakers on Tuesday rejected Rockford Mayor Larry Morrissey’s plan for red-light cameras at intersections after several senators from both parties and from around Illinois derided what they called a government money grab and “Big Brother” intrusion.

“It’s anti-American,” said Sen. Rickey Hendon, D-Chicago. “It’s against our rights as American citizens to live free. It’s against the Constitution of the United States.”

Just 26 senators supported the plan — four fewer votes than necessary for passage — while 24 opposed it. Sen. John Cullerton, a Chicago Democrat who sponsored the plan, said he was weighing whether to ask later this week for another vote.

Eight senators did not vote on the bill, and another voted “present.” The roll call is here.

Sen. Dave Syverson, R-Rockford, and Sen. Brad Burzynski, R-Clare, are longstanding opponents of the plan.

“For people to say that this isn’t about revenue, I think, is being disingenuous,” said Sen. Dave Syverson, R-Rockford. “This is about revenue.”

Sen. Brad Burzynski, a Clare Republican who represents the far east edge of Rockford, added in a statement, “It’s more about issuing citations and bringing in money than public safety.”

Syverson filed an amendment to the bill to make it more difficult for cities such as Rockford to implement red light cameras. Syverson stood on the Senate floor and criticized the plan, then voted for it. Burzynski voted against it.

Sen. John Cullerton, a Chicago Democrat who sponsored the plan, saw fit to mention during debate that Rep. Chuck Jefferson, D-Rockford, had not contacted him regarding the bill. Jefferson did his job in the House by shepherding the bill through his chamber.

But it’s also common for lawmakers with a strong interest in their legislation — this was one of Morrissey’s chief priorities, after all — to reach across the Capitol rotunda and lobby members of the opposite chamber. One wouldn’t expect Syverson and Burzynski to promote the bill in the Senate; they said they were opposed.

Entry Filed under: Larry Morrissey, Red Light Cameras, Chuck Jefferson, Dave Syverson