Chicago Speed-Trap Cameras ‘Discriminatory and Racist’

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CHICAGO—The head of one of the nation’s largest taxpayer organizations today called Chicago’s plan to install more than 100 speed-trap cameras in the city “discriminatory, racist and unconscionable.”

“The greed of Chicago politicians knows no bounds,” said Jim Tobin, President of Taxpayers United of America (TUA). “Chicago and the city’s government-employee pension funds are in dire financial condition, but rather than standing up to the unions and cutting spending and forcing pension-reform, Mayor Emanuel and his rubber-stamp city council once more will stick it to Chicagoans and motorists unfortunate enough to be passing through Chicago.”

“These speed-trap cameras have nothing to do with safety. They will provide a windfall of many millions of dollars for city coffers, which will be used to prop-up the finances of the city and its government-employee pension funds.”

“To be blunt, the speed-trap camera program is racist and discriminatory, impacting minorities and the poor who will struggle to find $100 for going 11 miles per hour over the speed limit.”

“How much of a penalty will be assessed for non-payment of the fine? These fines are often twice the amount of the ticket or more. There are government laws to protect us from private businesses gouging us, but who protects us from the government gouging us?”

“I strongly urge the Chicago City Council to say to Mayor Emanuel, ‘Enough is enough!’ and review and reconsider this entire program.”

TUA testified against the speed-trap cameras at the City Council hearings held on April 11, 2012.