Illinois Law Authorizes Use of Photo Enforcement at Red Lights

Illinois Gov. Rod. R. Blagojevich last week signed a traffic safety measure designed to make Illinois' roads safer by giving local governments the ability to use photo enforcement at traffic signals. The governor signed House Bill 4835, which authorizes counties in Northeastern Illinois and the Metro East area to use photo enforcement at red lights. Red light cameras are already in use in Chicago.

"Too many drivers think that running a red light isn't a big deal or that they won't be caught. It is a big deal because it's dangerous and now, with photo enforcement, they will be caught," said Blagojevich in a release.

HB 4835, sponsored by Rep. Angelo "Skip" Saviano (R-Elmwood Park) and Sen. John Cullerton (D-Chicago), applies to Madison and St. Clair Counties in Metro East and suburban Cook County and the other collar counties in Northeastern Illinois. It allows local governments to establish photo enforcement to catch red light violators. IDOT will work with local governments to establish locations where the photo enforcement for red lights is installed, and the agency will continue to monitor and analyze crashes at those locations to determine effectiveness. HB 4835 is effective immediately.