What began as a protest against Chicago’s red-light cameras quickly shifted into political grandstanding, as supporters of House Speaker Michael Madigan (D-Chicago) showed up en masse to picket against 22nd district challenger Jason Gonzales.
Earlier in the day, at the corner of 63rd St. and Kedzie Ave., the Citizens to Abolish Red Light Cameras enjoyed raucous support from the pubic, as passing cars and pedestrians stopped to show their support.
Mark Wallace, director of Citizens to Abolish Red Light Cameras, says red-light cameras have been strategically placed throughout the city based on revenue potential, not safety needs.
“This was a scheme motivated by money, but presented to the public under the disguise of safety,” Wallace said. “They choose primarily poor and low-income areas because they have high rates of traffic, where they would be able to get high rates of tickets and revenue. The city has, in effect, put into place a solution for a problem that didn’t exist, under the disguise of safety.”
Chicago Ald. George Cardenas (12th) spoke out Monday against the activation of a controversial speed camera in his ward.
Chanting “tax Lasalle Street, not our street,” a few dozen Chicagoans rallied near a speed camera in McKinley Park Thursday evening to protest what they say is an overuse of photo enforcement in the city.