PEORIA, Ill. — In order to bring red light cameras to Peoria’s streets, all that city council members may have to do is ask.
Ever since it became legal to use the traffic safety and control devices in Illinois, their implementation has been, as it turns out, perhaps not so strictly limited to communities in the Chicagoland area.
The council’s Corporate Counsel research has revealed Peoria might be able to use the devices if they just ask state lawmakers to amend state statutes.
On Tuesday night, by a unanimous vote, Peoria elected leaders agreed to put in the official request.
“What we’re asking our lawmakers to do…is to give our constituents the same weapons that can be used to deal with law breakers”, said 2nd District Councilman Chuck Grayeb during discussion on the matter.
Peoria Police Chief Eric Echavarria added, “Our traffic Lieutenant visited with officials in Davenport, Iowa, Cedar Rapids as well as Aurora, Illinois just to see how their technology is working and we’ve identified several companies who operate these technologies to see how they work.”
One council member was reticent to go too far into discussion about implementation of red light cameras.
“Councilmembers have gotten emails about concerns about profiling and how these can be misused and I really don’t think that’s a discussion we should have until we have an ability to do it,” said 3rd District Councilman Timothy Riggenbach.
Peoria leaders expect state lawmakers might address the the city’s red light camera request during the General Assembly’s veto session this fall or perhaps in the regular Spring legislative session next year.
During discussion, Mayor Rita Ali encouraged local stakeholders with the city should meet with the area’s state legislators to reinforce the city’s request.
