Illinois State Rep. La Shawn Ford Calls for Change in Red-Light Camera Distribution
(The Center Square) – After new data revealed a significant disparity in red-light camera tickets issued between Chicago’s South Side and North Side, Illinois State Rep. La Shawn Ford is renewing his call for change.
Analysis conducted by the Illinois Policy Institute shows that red-light cameras on the South Side issued an average of 9,132 tickets, which is 5,521 more than each North Side camera. This imbalance has raised concerns about fairness and potential financial burdens on residents in different parts of the city.
Speaking to The Center Square, Ford expressed his unease with the situation, stating, “It’s clearly a money grab and it’s not fair. The question is are the people on the South Side of Chicago driving to that degree that they deserve to be disproportionately impacted by a system, or is the system flawed? I would urge the city to do some type of investigation.”
With Chicago having more red-light cameras than any other major city in the U.S., and reports indicating that inner-city neighborhoods are bearing the brunt of the fines, Ford is concerned about the long-term effects on vulnerable populations. He emphasized the devastating impact of multiple tickets leading to car towing, bankruptcy, and increased financial strain on families.
Ford has previously called for a moratorium on red-light cameras, especially after findings by the Illinois Department of Transportation revealed that many camera-installed intersections were among the safest in the state prior to installation. He emphasized the need for transparency and accountability in understanding why certain communities receive a disproportionately high number of tickets.
Working with advocates, Ford is currently drafting a proposal for new legislation that could regulate traffic cameras more effectively, aiming to address the disparities in ticket distribution and ensure fair enforcement practices.
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