Politics & Government
Chicago's Speed Camera Plans Zero in on Lincoln Park
The controversial speed cameras are making their way to Lincoln Park, plans show. Neighboring communities will also see them by the end of the year.
By Carrie Frillman and Andy Ambrosius
The city of Chicago announced Friday its plans to install 50 new speeding cameras by the end of the year, one of which is right here in Lincoln Park.
The automated speed enforcement—or ASE—cameras are a part of Chicago’s Children’s Safety Zone Program, a move to increase safety and reduce speeding around school and park zones.
Find out what's happening in Lincoln Parkfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Lincoln Park's first—and so far, only—camera will be near Schaefer Park, 2415 N. Marshfield Ave. A nearby camera will be just west of the Chicago River near Burr Elementary School, 1621 W. Wabansia Ave.
Other North Side communities, too, will earn a "Big Brother" watchful eye. Challenger Park at 1100 W. Irving Park Road in Uptown and Lane Tech High School at 2501 N. Western Ave. in North Center are among those listed.
Find out what's happening in Lincoln Parkfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Other speed trackers include one at Horner Park on Montrose and one at Wells Park on Sunnyside Avenue, both in Lincoln Square.
“The Children’s Safety Zone Program protects children and other pedestrians by reminding motorists to slow down and obey speed laws—particularly in school and park zones,” said CDOT Commissioner Gabe Klein.
Under state law, Chicago has the right to install up to 300 speed cameras around safety zones like public parks, so Lake View might not be off the grid forever.
The logistics of the program work like this:
- Enforcement hours are limited to 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. in safety zones around schools on school days (Monday through Friday).
- From 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.—20 mph speed limit when children are present; a 30 mph speed limit when no children were present.
- From 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.—30 mph speed limit.
- Enforcement hours for cameras around parks are generally from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. seven days a week and with a speed limit of 30 mph.
- $35 for vehicles traveling 6 to 10 miles per hour over the posted speed limit while in a safety zone
- $100 for vehicles traveling 11 or more miles over the posted speed limit
In the details of the program released by the city, the funding could be used for a wide variety of projects. Some like crossing guards, after-school programs and more police officers around schools seem to fit in with the "for the kids" bent of the camera initiative.
Others, like traffic safety improvements and signage are a bit more open-ended.
Another layer of the program is the locations of the cameras. Emanuel says the program is aimed to protect children and is not just a revenue generating effort.
However, as the Tribune points out the ordinance limiting cameras to within one-eighth of a mile from schools or parks, yet that wording allows cameras in about half of the city.
During a pilot test of the cameras, about 10 percent of all passing cars could have been cited for speeding. It has been predicted that the potential 300 speeding cameras could bring in hundreds of millions in revenue.
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