Amy Elik
Amy Elik
Amy Elik has a rather distinct view about the State of Illinois’ red-light cameras system.
“I support legislation to ban red-light cameras immediately,” Elik, now running against incumbent state Rep. Amy Bristow (D-Alton) in the 111th District, told the Macon Reporter. “After Sen. Martin Sandoval plead guilty to receiving bribes from red-light camera companies, it became clear to me that red-light cameras were never about safety and must be banned.”
A bill now filed before the General Assembly seeks to remove nearly 100 of the devices across the state. House Bill 322 would outlaw red-light cameras in non-home-rule communities and is now slated to go before the full House for a vote. Passage would mean removal of red-light cameras in at least 45 of 101 communities, or 92 of the 607 cameras operating in the state.
“Red light cameras have not made our communities safer, and instead have become money grabs for municipalities and corrupt politicians,” Elik added. “Sandoval used red light cameras to enrich himself and his cronies, with no concern for the safety of our citizens.”
While Sandoval (D-Chicago) pleaded guilty to taking a bribe of $250,000 from one of the state’s biggest red-light camera companies in exchange for favorable voting, Illinois Policy Institute estimates that red-light cameras have accumulated more than $1 billion in revenue since first being installed a little more than a decade ago.
“These cameras served as cash cows for corrupt politicians who took advantage of average Illinoisans,” Elik added. “Substantive ethics reform is crucial to earning back the confidence of Illinois families that have been severely damaged by the current political ruling class. As a CPA and auditor, I will use my experience to bring transparency and ethical leadership back to state government.”