ORDINANCE
WHEREAS, A scientific study has called into question the efficacy of the deployment and utilization ofthe automated traffic law enforcement system established by the City of Chicago on July 9, 2003; and
WHEREAS, This state-of-the-art study was recently commissioned by the Tribune and conducted by a team of traffic researchers led by Dominique Lord, an associate professor at Texas A&M University's Zachry Department of Civil Engineering, concluded the cameras do not reduce injury-related crashes overall. In fact, at some locations, they significantly increase the number of rear-end crashes; and
WHEREAS, Additionally, questions have been raised concerning the data gathering process and control of the program, as well as what led to the spikes in the present system, causing the discovery of at least 13,000 ofthe more than 4 million tickets issued to be without foundation; and
WHEREAS, In May of 2013, the Office of Inspector General of the City of Chicago issued an audit report seeking to determine if red-light camera installations that were made and managed based on the Chicago Department of Transportation's (CDOT) stated primary criterion of reducing angle crashes to increase safety. CDOT was unable to substantiate its claims that the City chose to install red-light cameras at intersections with the highest angle crash rates in order to increase safety. Little evidence was advanced by CDOT to demonstrate the overarching program's strategy. The IG further found a lack of basic recordkeeping and lack of analysis for the ongoing program that generates tens of millions in revenue; and
WHEREAS, A resolution has been introduced by the Honorable Robert W. Fioretti, Alderman of the 2nd Ward and co-sponsored by several other members of this legislative body that seeks to investigate and ameliorate any deficiencies in the efficacy and fairness regarding this program that has been touted as a public safety initiative; and
WHEREAS, It is incumbent upon this legislative...
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