Politics & Government
First Speed Camera Launch Planned for Lincoln Square Park
Four speed cameras are set for Lincoln Square and the surrounding area - see where you need to be more cautious on the road.
By Andy Ambrosius
The City of Chicago announced Friday is plans to install 50 new speeding cameras by the end of the year, but only one is in Lincoln Square.
The automated speed enforcement—or ASE—cameras are a part of Chicago’s Children’s Safety Zone Program, a move to increase safety and reduce speeding around school and park zones.
Find out what's happening in Lincoln Squarewith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Lincoln Square's only speed camera is set for Welles Park at 2333 W. Sunnyside Ave. Other North Side communities, like Northcenter and Budlong Woods, should be seeing several by the end of the year. Horner Park at 2741 W. Montrose Ave., Lane Tech at 2501 W. Addison St. and Peterson Park 3100 W. Bryn Mawr Ave. are currently the closest cameras. Installation is predicted before the end of the year.
Find out what's happening in Lincoln Squarewith free, real-time updates from Patch.
“The Children’s Safety Zone Program protects children and other pedestrians by reminding motorists to slow down and obey speed laws – particularly in school and park zones,” said CDOT Commissioner Gabe Klein.
Under state law, Chicago has the right to install up to 300 speed cameras around safety zones like public parks, so Lake View might not be off the grid forever.
The logistics of the program work like this:
- Enforcement hours are limited to 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. in safety zones around schools on school days (Monday through Friday).
- From 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.—20 mph speed limit when children are present; a 30 mph speed limit when no children were present.
- From 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.—30 mph speed limit.
- Enforcement hours for cameras around parks are generally from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. seven days a week and with a speed limit of 30 mph.
- $35 for vehicles traveling 6 to 10 miles per hour over the posted speed limit while in a safety zone
- $100 for vehicles traveling 11 or more miles over the posted speed limit
In the details of the program released by the city, the funding could be used for a wide variety of projects. Some like crossing guards, after-school programs and more police officers around schools seem to fit in with the "for the kids" bent of the camera initiative. Others, like traffic safety improvements and signage are a bit more open-ended.
Another layer of the program is the locations of the cameras. Emanuel says the program is aimed to protect children and is not just a revenue generating effort.
However, as the Tribune points out the ordinance limiting cameras to within one-eighth of a mile from schools or parks, yet that wording allows cameras in about half of the city.
During a pilot test of the cameras, about 10 percent of all passing cars could have been cited for speeding. It has been predicted that the potential 300 speeding cameras could bring in hundreds of millions in revenue.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
