Partial Illinois red-light camera ban makes it out of House committee

The ban on red-light cameras, if it becomes law, would only effect smaller Illinois communities that don't have home rule powers. But I believe that means Morton Grove, where I live, will be compelled to remove its sole red-light camera.

From NBC Chicago:

Red-light enforcement cameras, at the center of an ex-state senator's guilty plea last week on federal bribery charges, would be banned in some suburban Chicago communities under legislation a House committee approved Wednesday.

Rep. David McSweeney's plan is identical to one that died in the Senate four years ago. Court papers indicate that then-Sen. Martin Sandoval began taking bribes that year to be a legislative “protector” for a red-light vendor supplying the technology to cities throughout the Chicago area.

Sandoval, a Chicago Democrat who was chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Chicago to accepting about $250,000 in bribes in part from a camera vendor and for filing a false tax return. He could face about 12 years in prison but is cooperating with federal officials in an ongoing investigation.

“These cameras are nothing more than a get-rich scheme for the companies that install the cameras and the politicians who profit from protecting the companies behind this scam,” said McSweeney, a Barrington Hills Republican.

Yes, a Republican sponsored the bill.

My posts at Da Tech Guy:

Illinois red-light camera probe provides convincing evidence why they should be banned

Illinois corruption investigation breaks wide open with guilty plea of state senator for bribery over red-light cameras and more