Speed cameras issue more tickets in 2021 than Chicago has residents

By Patrick Andriesen, Jon Josko

04/03/2022

Chicago drivers were issued more speed tickets in 2021 than there are city residents. Annual ticket revenues doubled, but fatal crashes still increased.

TAGS: Chicago, red light cameras, traffic safety

Crestwood mayor resigns, pleads guilty to red-light camera bribery

By Patrick Andriesen

11/19/2021

Crestwood Mayor Louis Presta pleaded guilty to bribery, lying to federal authorities and tax charges as part of a pay-to-play red-light camera scheme. The cameras took $1 billion from Illinois drivers in a decade.

TAGS: Illinois, Louis Presta, red light cameras

Former state lawmaker used bribes to promote red-light cameras in Chicago suburb, feds charge

By Patrick Andriesen

04/27/2021

New federal corruption charges state a former Illinois House member conspired to use bribes to get a red-light traffic camera contract renewed and more of them installed in a suburban Chicago community. Traffic cameras collected $5.5 million during a decade in the suburb.

TAGS: bribery, corruption, red light cameras

Exposing insider politics of red-light cameras is aim of Illinois bill

By Patrick Andriesen

03/25/2021

After paying $1 billion in red-light camera fees, Illinoisans deserve to know more about how the devices are being pushed with their local political leaders.

TAGS: corruption, lobbying, red light cameras

Crestwood mayor charged in red-light camera bribery scheme

08/10/2020

Multiple officials in the southwest suburbs have been implicated on criminal charges in a federal investigation into red-light cameras.

TAGS: bribery, corruption, FBI: Federal Bureau of Investigation, red light cameras

Red-light camera vendor at heart of corruption probes gets PPP loan

07/08/2020

SafeSpeed has been involved in a federal investigation that has resulted in corruption charges against multiple Illinois politicians.

TAGS: corruption, COVID-19, PPP: Paycheck Protection Program, red light cameras, SafeSpeed

Illinois House committee passes bill to ban red-light cameras statewide

03/12/2020

Red-light cameras have been the subject of multiple corruption investigations and have cost Illinois drivers over $1 billion.

TAGS: conflict of interest, corruption, David McSweeney, FBI: Federal Bureau of Investigation, IDOT: Illinois Department of Transportation, IRS: Internal Revenue Service, Jeff Tobolski, Martin Sandoval, Oakbrook Terrace, red light cameras, SafeSpeed

Bribery charge, resignations hit prominent players in red-light camera scandal

03/09/2020

A Cook County commissioner quits as a former city administrator faces a bribery charge. Both played roles in the rise of red-light cameras and vendor SafeSpeed.

TAGS: Chicago Department of Aviation, conflict of interest, Cook County, corruption, IDOT: Illinois Department of Transportation, Jeff Tobolski, Lyons, Martin Sandoval, McCook, Oak Brook, Patrick Doherty, red light cameras, SafeSpeed, Toni Preckwinkle

Illinois House passes bill to tear down nearly 100 red-light cameras

02/26/2020

A proposal to limit red-light cameras in Illinois is making significant progress.

TAGS: corruption, David McSweeney, FBI: Federal Bureau of Investigation, Jonathan Carroll, Martin Sandoval, Mattie Hunter, red light cameras, SafeSpeed

Blagojevich comes home to America’s most corrupt city

02/26/2020

Chicago and the state of Illinois are notorious around the country for high-profile corruption convictions. Rod Blagojevich settles back in after the former governor’s imprisonment for corruption.

TAGS: Chicago, conflict of interest, conviction, Cook County, cooling off period, corruption, ethics, FBI: Federal Bureau of Investigation, Jeff Tobolski, lobbying, Martin Sandoval, Patrick Doherty, prison, red light cameras, revolving door, Rod Blagojevich, SafeSpeed, watchdog