Toy just reminder to stop at red lights

Hoffman Estates trustees found a little surprise before Monday's board meeting.

Assistant Police Chief Steven Casstevens left miniature toy traffic lights in front of each board member's chair. The base of the light reads "Hoffman Estates Police Department" on one side and "Stop Red Light Running" on another.

This was Casstevens' subtle way of encouraging the board to approve the red-light cameras he proposed for five of the village's intersections.

Expect the cameras to be up by late August at Barrington and Higgins roads, Golf and Barrington roads, Golf and Route 59, Higgins and Roselle roads and Golf and Bartlett roads.

Casstevens said he ordered about 300 of the trinkets, which have blinking lights. He plans to give them away at chamber events and other gatherings over the summer.

He said he wasn't surprised with some of the outcry against the lights, as opponents say the cameras are only about generating money for the village.

Some even claim the cameras increase accidents, and that they're the next step in an Orwellian society where Big Brother is watching.

Casstevens did say he was pleasantly surprised at how some motorists support the notion that cameras would discourage speeding and decrease wrecks. He also said the cameras will be able to snap clear photos of license plates, even if motorists have tinted license plate holders or sprays that are supposed to thwart cameras.

Lifetime achievement: Former Village Attorney Richard Williams was briefly in town last month to pick up the Distinguished Service Award for Lifetime Achievement from the Illinois Institute for Local Government Law. Williams served the village for 34 years before retiring late last year for a life in the sun and on the links in Florida. He's remembered for representing the village before the federal Supreme Court in the Village of Hoffman Estates v. Flipside Records. That court battle was over the sale of drug paraphernalia 27 years ago.

Congrats, Dick.