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 body to expeditiously redress these egregious defects in an already scandal-ridden program, now therefore
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHICAGO:
SECTION 1. The foregoing recitals are hereby adopted as the findings of the City of Chicago City Council and are incorporated herein and made a part of this ordinance.
SECTION 2. Section 9-102-050 of the City of Chicago Municipal Code is hereby amended by striking out certain language and adding new language underlined as follows:
9-102-050 Reserved. Sunset date-All provisions of Chapter 9-102 shall expire on April 15, 2015. SECTION 3. This ordinance shall be in full force and effect upon its passage and publication.
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