Mayoral Candidates Denounce Red Light Camera Program At West Side Forum
CHICAGO (CBS) -- The nation's largest red light camera program, which has been discredited as being more about revenue than safety, came under heavy fire Saturday at a candidates' forum on the West Side.
WBBM's Mike Krauser reports at the Billy Goat Tavern on West Madison Street the group Citizens to Abolish Red Light Cameras held a forum drawing those who would be mayor and aldermen who pledge to work to abolish the cameras.
"You have people in government , the mayor, you have people from the City Department of Transportation who have lied to you," said Mark Wallace, the leader of the group.
Mayoral candidates Alderman Bob Fioretti, William "Dock" Walls and Jesus "Chuy" Garcia are all on board.
"If it was here for safety, it would be one thing, but it is here for revenue," said Fioretti.
"I support giving back that $7.7 million to those persons who were wrongfully ticketed by short-yellow cameras," Walls said.
Garcia said he will, "advocate legislation to repeal" the program.
There are more than 350 red light cameras in the city that have generated a half billion dollars since 2002. Studies commissioned by the Tribune have found rear-end collisions have increased, sometimes as people try to beat shortened yellow lights.