School Zone Cameras Will Photograph Kids To Enhance Fines

Without a tot in the frame, there's no evidence that special speed limits are in effect

Mayor Rahm Emanuel's proposal to line the streets of Chicago, Illinois with photo radar vans has run into a speed bump. Enabling legislation for the school zone speed camera program rushed through the statehouse in Springfield at a record pace, taking slightly over a month for the proposal to clear the first committee hurdle after being introduced. The measure became law in February and took effect in July.

As The Expired Meter first reported on Sunday, the effort suffered a small setback as Emanuel's staff failed realize that the lowered 20 MPH school zone speed limits only apply "when children are present" under state law. This has been interpreted over the past four decades to mean the speed limit is 30 MPH absent proof that kids are nearby.