FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Scott Davis

630-544-0847
scott.m.davis@gmail.com
Cook County Campaign for Liberty

Cook County Red Light Camera Protests Continue Saturday

Oak Lawn’s “careless vote” driving a step-up in efforts

CHICAGO – September 16, 2010 – Undeterred by a disappointing red light camera
vote this week in Oak Lawn, Cook County Campaign for Liberty activists and concerned
residents will again take to the streets Saturday at an 11 a.m. planned protest at the
intersection of Devon and Northwest Highway. Organizers aim to raise awareness of the
proven ineffectiveness and corruption of Chicago’s red light camera program in the
second in a series of public actions planned for this fall.

The event will cap a week that saw the village of Oak Lawn on Tuesday unanimously
renew its red light camera contract with a five-year extension despite strong public
opposition. Trustee Jerry Hurckes reported to the village board receiving multiple calls
on the issue, all of which were in opposition to red light cameras.

“Despite public disapproval, Oak Lawn officials did not blink as they roped local
taxpayers into another long-term scheme with a failed, fraudulent technology,” said Scott
Davis, Cook County Campaign for Liberty coordinator.

“This careless vote is yet another stark reminder of our elected officials’ warped priorities
– bottom-line tax receipts chief among them. Residents are an afterthought, at best.

“Clearly, we must step up our red light advocacy efforts.”

For more information on Cook County Campaign for Liberty’s protest schedule, which
will culminate in a downtown rally in late October, visit
www.ChicagoBanTheCams.com.

Cook County Campaign for Liberty promotes ethical leadership in Cook County by
advocating for civil liberties, privacy, fiscal responsibility, and transparent and limited
government by means of activism and educational activity.

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ISSUE BACKGROUNDER: Cook County Campaign for Liberty’s protests are part of a
continuing backlash against unmanned traffic enforcement technology in Illinois.
Stunned Cook County municipalities balked in June after the county board unilaterally
voted to install 30 additional red light cameras countywide. Facing public outcry, Cook
County subsequently permitted municipalities to opt out of the program. High-profile
efforts by Schaumburg activists, led by the Schaumburg Freedom Coalition, forced the
village to abandon its highly lucrative red light camera program in 2009. A measure to
ban most red light and speed cameras statewide even made it to Springfield last
legislative session in form of State Sen. Dan Duffy’s SB 2466.
A 2007 study by the University of Illinois Chicago conducted by Professor Rajiv Shah
concluded that red light cameras in Chicago actually increased accidents by 6 percent.
The City of Chicago, which saw $63 million in fines from red light cameras in
2009, strongly challenged Shah’s findings.