As a fellow pedestrian/mass transit rider, I understand your position on Red Light cameras. We're having a forum in Westmont tomorrow evening, see www.socialjusticeindupage.org.

I will be distributing your position on red light cameras. You are also invited to send a panelist even though it is short notice.

Here's a start for some discussion points/questions:

1. What is the history of Red Light cameras in Illinois?
-- legislative
-- deployment (who chooses locations, who approves, who judges)
-- suggested modifications

2. It is true that drivers are breaking the law, but would an occasional PSA have been a better solution?
-- Is this a hidden tax?
-- Is this a case of a corporation being opportunistic? Are public employees being used to further a corporation's bottom line?
-- What problem is being solved?

3. As municipalites need more funds, will there be increased pressure on law enforcement to "find" more violators?

4. What is the impact of Red Light cameras on local businesses?

5. Do Red Light intersections lead to changes in traffice patterns as drivers avoid cameras? Will this cause more accidents in the general vicinity because of more vehicles entering and exiting major thoroughfares at unregulated points? Will traffic on residential streets increase unnecessarily?

6. Red light camera citations are not subject to racial profiling reporting to IDOT. Should they be? How can this be done when a private company does the first check?

7. Is imporvement at Red Light cameras indicative of overall improved driving habits or is it "just for the camera"?

8. What are we teaching our children -- about safe driving? about government observation in general?

Bob Mueller
44 W 59th Street, Apt D
Westmont, IL 60559

Personally, I'm glad a lot of people don't think about it and stick with their cars. I bicycle year round and always dread this time of year when all the thoughtless fair weather cyclists start coming out again. At least car drivers for the most part are courteous and law abiding. I find fair weather cyclists a far worse safety threat than cars. I wish police would crack down on them and maybe they'd go back to their cars.

If this report is true, why doesn't ATA get a bunch of us together and "bomb" transit-friendly neighborhoods and suburbs? Select communities that have especially good transit connections to downtown, and stand at traffic lights handing out transit instructions on specific Pace and Metra times and connections? I think a lot of people drive out of IGNORANCE, because they just never thought of taking transit or just don't know about it.

I'm amazed at the number of cars I see driving down streets in Lincoln Park, headed for the Loop...when the Red Line would get them there in 8 minutes! And they wouldn't have to find parking! And they wouldn't have to shovel their car out! And they wouldn't have to buy gas!

Driving a car during rush hour can make for a horrible and very stressful commute. I am surprised though that Chicago only came in fourth. I would think maybe second behind New York City. casino online