Legislation allowing speed cameras in suburban Cook on hold
Legislation permitting speed cameras in some Cook County suburbs is on hold in favor of another bill also aimed at improving safety, sponsor state Sen. Laura Murphy said.
The speed camera proposal, Senate Bill 1497, would allow home-rule municipalities in Cook with populations of 35,000 or more to install speed cameras near schools along designated truck routes like Northwest Highway.
Constituents are concerned about trucks and other vehicles speeding and creating a dangerous situation for pedestrians, Murphy, a Democrat from Des Plaines, explained Tuesday.
“Anything to make crossings safer for kids,” she added.
Murphy acknowledged speed cameras can be controversial and viewed as a “money grab,” but said it’s one tool to slow drivers down.
“The best way to change the behavior of speeders is to hold them financially accountable,” she said.
Murphy introduced the camera initiative Jan. 31, but has paused it for now. A separate proposal, Senate Bill 1941, enables flashing beacons at crossings is more likely to pass the General Assembly, she said, and also would have a positive impact on safety.
The bill would enable municipalities with ownership or control over intersections near schools to install pedestrian-activated flashing beacons at crosswalks, alerting drivers when people are crossing the street.
The flashing beacon legislation passed the Senate unanimously Wednesday and now heads to the House.
Chicago currently has 178 speed cameras, 16 of which are newly installed and still in the 30-day warning period when fines are not issued.
“Additional cameras will be added throughout 2025 on a rolling basis,” Chicago Department of Transportation Public Affairs Director Erica Schroeder said. “We expect to have a total of 212 by the end of the year.”
The city assesses a $35 fine for driving 6 to 10 mph over the speed limit within a Children’s Safety Zone, typically near parks and schools. The penalty escalates to $100 if a vehicle is traveling 11 mph or higher.