CDOT tests speed cameras at Chicago schools, parks

December 3, 2012 (CHICAGO) (WLS) -- There are some new reasons to watch your speed when driving through some Chicago neighborhoods.

Starting Monday, cameras will be monitoring how fast you drive.

For the next month, the city is testing speed cameras at certain intersections, but there is some good news if you get caught during the test period: No tickets. Not yet.

The city is moving forward with plans to have cameras monitor speed around parks and schools.

One of the experimental speed cameras is in front of the Near North Montessori School on Division. Jerome Manansala, the school's director of safety and security, says there have been close calls -- like last spring when he was crossing Division Street with a group of 3, 4 and 5-year-olds.

"We got lucky that we saw him in time and got the kids out of the way," Manansala said.

There are four test cameras around the city near parks and schools. They will be in place for a month and the city will evaluate their use.

Jim Tobin with Taxpayers United of America is opposed to the speed cameras.

"It is a phony boloney argument for creating another tax," said Tobin. "The speed cameras are just another tax on the backs of middle-class taxpayers."

Some tell ABC7 the city is already doing enough issuing tickets, with red light cameras, and speeding cameras are too much.

"If the cops see people speeding, pull them over. I don't think they have a right to send tickets through the mail," said Leonard Yacona.

No one from the city would comment on camera on this issue.

There are two companies trying to get the city's contract for speeding cameras. There are reports that one of those companies is having trouble in Baltimore with faulty equipment. No one from either company would make anyone available on camera.

The cameras are situated at:
• McKinley Park, 2223 W Pershing
• Warren Park, 6541 N Western
• Dulles Elementary, 6340 S King
• Near North Montessori, 1446 W Division

The testing runs until January 3.

After our report aired, a spokesman for Xerox told ABC7:

"There is no faulty equipment in Baltimore, just human processing error. An added level of review is expected to address the matter."

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local, leah hope

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