CHICAGO (AP) – The Illinois comptroller has announced her office will stop collecting fines against drivers who are ticketed after cameras catch them violating red lights.
“As a matter of public policy, this system is clearly broken. I’m exercising a moral authority to prevent state resources being used to assist a process that victimizes taxpayers,” Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza said.
Mendoza said poor and minority motorists appear to be most affected by the $100 tickets, which can double if not timely paid. She also notes that federal investigators are looking at relationships between some communities and a red light vendor.
“Over the years, it has become clear that these red-light cameras were less about keeping people safe, and more about collecting revenue,” Mendoza said.
A 2012 state law allows local governments to use the comptroller’s office to collect debts. Unpaid traffic tickets can be deducted from tax refunds.
