Quinn green-lights speed-camera plan for Chicago

On Monday, Quinn denied agreeing to speed cameras as a way to improve his relationship with Emanuel, saying he follows his "conscience" when deciding whether to approve or reject legislation.

"Sometimes I've had to tell him 'no,'" Quinn said. "I think the mayor understands where I'm coming from."

The governor spent months reviewing the proposal before signing the legislation in private Monday, the last day for him to act before the measure would have become law on its own. During that time, Quinn's office was contacted more than 200 times by people opposed to the speed cameras measure. The governor received just 19 letters, calls and emails in support.

Quinn downplayed the lack of public support, saying citizens made their opinion known through "their legislators." The governor noted that Emanuel's strong lobbying efforts meant that an "overwhelming majority of legislators from Chicago voted in favor."

Indeed, just two Chicago lawmakers voted against the proposal, including Democratic Rep. Ann Williams, who represents a North Side swath stretching from Ravenswood Manor to Lincoln Park.

Williams said she isn't opposed to the idea of cameras used for public safety but felt the legislation was too broad. The lawmaker said there are a number of other ways the city could go after speeders, including a public information campaign or installing more speed bumps near targeted problem areas.

Williams said she conducted an informal poll of her constituents, with the majority of people indicating they were uncomfortable with the proposal. She said she ultimately made up her mind while walking along North Paulina Avenue on a scenic fall day, realizing much of her district could end up covered in cameras.

"I feel that having cameras on every corner really changes the character of a neighborhood," Williams said. "Imagine walking through your neighborhood on a beautiful day, looking up, and there's a camera pointed at you. I just don't know if I want that feeling on every corner in every neighborhood."

Such Big Brother-type concerns forced Emanuel to support compromise legislation that limits the hours the cameras can operate. They will run from 6 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Fridays in school zones when class is in session. The cameras near parks would start rolling one hour before opening to the public and stop one hour after closing.

Under the law, speed cameras can be installed within one-eighth of a mile of schools and parks. A Tribune analysis found about 47 percent of the city would fall into the safety zones.

A separate Tribune analysis of a federal database of pedestrian fatalities in crashes showed that Emanuel's proposal would have a limited impact on fatalities. Of the 251 pedestrian deaths in the city between 2005 and 2009, fewer than half occurred in the "safety zones" where cameras would be located, and fewer than one-quarter of those involved speeding.

"Relatively speaking, Chicago has a safe pedestrian environment given the volume of traffic," according to a city study of all pedestrian-related crashes over the same time period. It said Chicago has a pedestrian fatality rate lower than most other large U.S. cities.

To implement the speed camera law, Emanuel's administration envisions retrofitting the speed detection equipment on to many of the city's 190 existing red-light cameras. Those devices are located almost exclusively on busy arterial streets.

But the city report found that 43 percent of pedestrian crashes involving victims age 14 and under take place on side streets, which don't have the cameras.

The city report also highlighted 12 elementary and 20 high schools where the five-year batch of data showed the pedestrian crash problem to be the most acute. Topping the list was Bouchet Math and Science Academy, 7355 S. Jeffery Blvd., near which 13 youngsters were hit by vehicles.

Bouchet sits on a side street several blocks from the closest red-light camera. While the new law allows for camera monitoring of speeders near the school, in practical terms it is unlikely to happen — at least initially. Emanuel aides have said speed detection equipment at first will be placed on existing red-light cameras.

Even as Emanuel moved quickly to lay the groundwork for the speed camera initiative, the mayor's office was resisting requests for internal documents about the plans. Emanuel has denied access to hundreds of emails on the topic while his lawyers worked to redact information they consider exempt from open records laws.

Supporters say the new law already is making people more aware of their driving habits.

"I've already talked to one person who told me, 'My God, I've got to watch what I do around parks and schools,'" said Chicago Public Schools CEOJean-Claude Brizard. "I know people care about their pocketbooks. It may not affect your insurance, but if it affects your pocketbook, you think twice about doing 50 or 60 miles an hour in front of a school."

Meanwhile, Quinn would not rule out the possibility that the speed cameras could spread to other parts of the state, noting Illinois already uses them to monitor drivers in highway construction zones. 

"I think this is a good place to look at and see how it goes," Quinn said.

Tribune reporter Kristen Mack contributed.