Andrade Advances Measure Forcing Cities to Dedicate Traffic Camera Funds to Local Schools and Parks

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Cities that operate speed and red light cameras would be required to dedicate funds from those fines to improve local schools and parks under a new measure by state Rep. Jaime Andrade, D-Chicago, advanced out of a House committee this week.

“It’s time we say enough to the cities in every part of our state that treat traffic camera dollars like a personal slush fund. It’s time these dollars come back to our communities to make our schools and parks safer and stronger,” Andrade said. “These funds can help acquire new playground equipment, newer textbooks or additional safety measures on high speed roadways in their area. The possibilities are endless, and I look forward to seeing this legislation signed into law.”

Andrade championed House Bill 4451 which dedicates 10 percent of the total amount of fines a speed enforcement camera accumulates to a park or school in the safety zone in which the automated speed enforcement camera is located. This legislation only affects those camera zones which generate more than $500,000.

State Rep. Eva-Dina Delgado and Edgar Gonzalez join Andrade as chief co-sponsors of the bill.

The bill passed unanimously out of the Transportation: Vehicles & Safety committee.