Guilty on all counts in Chicago red light camera bribery trial

Chicago's Northwest Side

A Chicago Tribune investigation of the crookedness of Chicago's despised red-light camera program--which was always about collecting more money instead of safety--was the impetus of the federal inquiry that netted a former City Hall big shot today.

From the Trib:

In a sweeping victory for federal authorities, a jury wasted little time Tuesday before convicting John Bills on all 20 counts, finding that the former Chicago city official took up to $2 million in bribes and gifts in return for steering tens of millions of dollars in red light camera contracts to an Arizona company.

With his conviction on mail and wire fraud, bribery, extortion, conspiracy and tax fraud charges, Bills faces at least 10 years in prison, and possibly more than 20 years, his attorney said.

Bills was a longtime political operative for House Speaker Michael Madigan (D-Chicago), who is also the chairman of the Illinois Democratic Party. The crook also did campaign work for former Chicago mayor Richard M. Daley.

He's a real Chicago kind of guy. I hope that Bills receives a sentence of 20 years or more for his crimes as a lesson to the legions of other corrupt civil servants.

The dishonest vendor was Redflex Traffic Systems Inc.