Drivers traveling through Chicago have something new to keep an eye out for, staring Monday, August 26, 2013: speed limit enforcement cameras. Mayor Rahm Emanuel's program, designed to increase safety and decrease speed-limit violations, will begin issuing warnings to drivers beginning Monday, August 26, 2013. The current plan is for the cameras to issue only warnings for the first 30 days, with fines starting after this initial 30 day initiation phase.
According to reports (found here and here), the first cameras are located near Gompers Park on the north side of Chicago, near the intersection of Foster and Pulaski. Plans are in place for similar cameras to be operational near Garfield Park, Washington Park, and Marquette Park by the end of the week. Towards the end of the year, the City hopes to have cameras operational near 50 parks and schools.
Beginning tomorrow (8/26/13), warnings will be issued for drivers who are caught exceeding the speed limit, and once the 30 day warning period expires, fines will be issued for drivers exceeding the speed limit by 6 - 10 mph ($35 tickets), and greater than 10 mph ($100 tickets). Although the program states that the park cameras will be active only when the parks are open (7 days a week, approximately 6 am to 11 pm), the cameras near schools will be active from 7 am to 7 pm on school days.
In order to avoid tickets and fines, and for the general safety of children and the public, anyone driving a vehicle in those areas may want to obey the speed limit.
*This is attorney advertising, and is not intended to be taken as legal advice, nor is it intended to create an attorney-client relationship. Any advice given in the preceding statement is given as general advice and is not intended to be relied upon as legal advice for any specific scenarios. For specific advice, or for answers to your questions, call Eckert & Smestad (312-789-4810) or call a qualified attorney licensed in your jurisdiction.
