Speaker Welch Celebrates Removal of Oakbrook Terrace Red-Light Cameras

Chicago, Ill. – After years of advocacy from community leaders, the red-light cameras at one of suburban Chicago’s busiest intersections have been ordered to be removed by the Illinois Department of Transportation.

“This is a huge win for our community,” said House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch. “Despite being busy, the intersection at Highway 83 and 22nd street is safe and these cameras served very little purpose for motorists. I was happy to have a small part in this process and I’m grateful the IDOT made the correct decision to have these red-light cameras removed.”

Five months prior to this decision, Speaker Welch arranged a meeting with stakeholders, including IDOT and local mayors, in his Westchester office to discuss the controversial cameras. Acting on complaints from residents in the 7th District about the hefty fines the cameras were churning out, as well as ethical concerns about red-light camera contracts throughout suburban communities, Speaker Welch worked with local officials to ensure the cameras were taken down.

“From the start, the approval process for these red-light cameras was completely flawed and the operation of these cameras was mired in corruption,” said Asif Yusuf, a trustee with the Village of Oak Brook. “The cameras provided little to no benefit to our community, and the number of accidents at that intersection actually increased since they were installed. I’d like to profusely thank Speaker Welch, whose new district will include the eastern portion of Oak Brook, Village President Dr. Gopal Lalmalani, the former Police Chief and interim Village Manager James Kruger, current Village Manager Greg Summers and my colleagues on the Village Board for working together in this effort to remove the cameras.”

The IDOT ordered Oakbrook Terrace to deactivate its camera system and apply within 15 days for a permit to have the entire system removed.