Beware in Illinois this summer

[Fredog]

If you head our way this summer, watch your speed.
>
> IF YOU ARE DRIVING TO DECATUR, PLEASE WATCH YOUR SPEED LIMIT!!! See below:
>
>
>
> Subject: Illinois to start using Photo Radar in July !
>
> Illinois will begin using photo radar in freeway work zones in July.
> One mile per hour over the speed limit and the machine will get you a
> nice $375.00 ticket in the mail. Beginning July 1st, the State of
> Illinois will begin using the speed cameras in areas designated as "Work
> Zones" on major freeways. Anyone caught by these devices will be mailed
> a $375.00 ticket for the FIRST offense. The SECOND offense will cost
> $1000.00 and comes with a 90-Day suspension. Drivers will also receive
> demerit points against their license, which allow insurance companies to
> raise Insurance rates.
>
> This is the harshest penalty structure ever set for a governmental unit
> involving PHOTO speed enforcement. The State already has two camera
> vans on line issuing tickets 24/7 in work zones with speed limits
> lowered to 45 MPH. Photos of both the Driver's face and License plate
> are taken. Pass this on!!!
>
> For more info: (http://www.dot.state.il.us/press/r033005.html
> <http://www.dot.state.il.us/press/r033005.html> )
>

[Orangetxguy]

If you head our way this summer, watch your speed.
>
> IF YOU ARE DRIVING TO DECATUR, PLEASE WATCH YOUR SPEED LIMIT!!! See below:
>
>
>
> Subject: Illinois to start using Photo Radar in July !
>
> Illinois will begin using photo radar in freeway work zones in July.
> One mile per hour over the speed limit and the machine will get you a
> nice $375.00 ticket in the mail. Beginning July 1st, the State of
> Illinois will begin using the speed cameras in areas designated as "Work
> Zones" on major freeways. Anyone caught by these devices will be mailed
> a $375.00 ticket for the FIRST offense. The SECOND offense will cost
> $1000.00 and comes with a 90-Day suspension. Drivers will also receive
> demerit points against their license, which allow insurance companies to
> raise Insurance rates.
>
> This is the harshest penalty structure ever set for a governmental unit
> involving PHOTO speed enforcement. The State already has two camera
> vans on line issuing tickets 24/7 in work zones with speed limits
> lowered to 45 MPH. Photos of both the Driver's face and License plate
> are taken. Pass this on!!!
>
> For more info: (http://www.dot.state.il.us/press/r033005.html
> <http://www.dot.state.il.us/press/r033005.html> )
>

Saw one of those lovely vans sitting alongside I-57, up by the Champaign construction zone, last weekend.

[avc]

These bastards are fraudulent just like the state of Ohio is with their idiotic license reinstatement fees, those low life's will suspend your license even if you are a non-resident to collect fees.

They are doing this stuff in an attempt to raise money since all states are in budget deficits that they can't ever balance unless these geniuses figure out a new way to defraud people.

Hell we may as well just jump on the train from now on !!!




Article published May 07, 2005
DRIVER'S LICENSES
Ohio to pay $4.5 million to settle 2nd DUI fee suit
By MARK REITER
BLADE STAFF WRITER

The state will pay nearly $4.5 million to settle a second class-action lawsuit with Ohio motorists who were wrongfully charged two fees to get their driver's licenses reinstated after drunken-driving convictions.

Lucas County Common Pleas Court Judge Frederick McDonald has approved a stipulation agreement between the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles and attorneys who filed the class-action lawsuit in 2003.

According to the order, there were 17,395 instances in which someone was charged two fees, but the class could include people who had multiple offenses.

Fred Stratmann, a spokesman for the BMV, said the checks, which range from $200 to $224, will be sent out before June.

It was the second lawsuit filed against the state in connection with a 1993 law that allowed for the automatic suspension of licenses of suspected drunken drivers whose blood-alcohol levels tested above the legal limit.

The state believed the law allowed for motorists to be charged a $250 administrative fee and another $250 for judicial reinstatement after they were convicted in court.

However, Lucas County Common Pleas Court Judge James Jensen, in deciding the first lawsuit that was filed in 1995, said the state incorrectly interpreted the law and told the state to refund the money, a ruling that ultimately was upheld by the Ohio Supreme Court in 2003.


That decision cost Ohio taxpayers about $7 million in reimbursements and interest. The state sent 20,874 checks to Ohio drivers who joined the suit after it was certified as a class-action complaint. Despite Judge Jensen's 1999 decision, the state continued charging motorists the double fees until its appeals were exhausted. The law was amended in 1999 to require one fee. It is now $425.

Mr. Stratmann said the fees continued to be collected because the state believed Judge Jensen's ruling would be reversed on appeal.

"We maintain the law, as it was written, supported our position. Since the Supreme Court feels otherwise, we are going to comply with it and rely on the wisdom and judgment of the court. Settling the case is in the best interest of Ohio," he said.

Toledo attorneys John Czarnecki and Jerome Phillips, who represented the original plaintiffs in the 1995 lawsuit, filed the second action in 2003 on behalf of motorists who were not included in Judge Jensen's decision.

The attorneys received 20 percent of the settlement in the first lawsuit, or about $1.4 million. The agreement calls for them to receive the same percentage in the second complaint, which will be about $900,000.

[Syncrosonix]

photo radar is nothing but a giant scam! the setting is different from illinois. that's the only difference. the motive is still the same, however.

[Orangetxguy]

these bastards are fraudulent just like the state of ohio is with their idiotic license reinstatement fees, those low life's will suspend your license even if you are a non-resident to collect fees.

They are doing this stuff in an attempt to raise money since all states are in budget deficits that they can't ever balance unless these geniuses figure out a new way to defraud people.

Hell we may as well just jump on the train from now on !!!


http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll...ws24/505070421

article published may 07, 2005
driver's licenses
ohio to pay $4.5 million to settle 2nd dui fee suit
by mark reiter
blade staff writer

the state will pay nearly $4.5 million to settle a second class-action lawsuit with ohio motorists who were wrongfully charged two fees to get their driver's licenses reinstated after drunken-driving convictions.

lucas county common pleas court judge frederick mcdonald has approved a stipulation agreement between the ohio bureau of motor vehicles and attorneys who filed the class-action lawsuit in 2003.

according to the order, there were 17,395 instances in which someone was charged two fees, but the class could include people who had multiple offenses.

fred stratmann, a spokesman for the bmv, said the checks, which range from $200 to $224, will be sent out before june.

it was the second lawsuit filed against the state in connection with a 1993 law that allowed for the automatic suspension of licenses of suspected drunken drivers whose blood-alcohol levels tested above the legal limit.

the state believed the law allowed for motorists to be charged a $250 administrative fee and another $250 for judicial reinstatement after they were convicted in court.

however, lucas county common pleas court judge james jensen, in deciding the first lawsuit that was filed in 1995, said the state incorrectly interpreted the law and told the state to refund the money, a ruling that ultimately was upheld by the ohio supreme court in 2003.


that decision cost ohio taxpayers about $7 million in reimbursements and interest. The state sent 20,874 checks to ohio drivers who joined the suit after it was certified as a class-action complaint. Despite judge jensen's 1999 decision, the state continued charging motorists the double fees until its appeals were exhausted. The law was amended in 1999 to require one fee. It is now $425.

mr. Stratmann said the fees continued to be collected because the state believed judge jensen's ruling would be reversed on appeal.

"we maintain the law, as it was written, supported our position. Since the supreme court feels otherwise, we are going to comply with it and rely on the wisdom and judgment of the court. Settling the case is in the best interest of ohio," he said.

toledo attorneys john czarnecki and jerome phillips, who represented the original plaintiffs in the 1995 lawsuit, filed the second action in 2003 on behalf of motorists who were not included in judge jensen's decision.

the attorneys received 20 percent of the settlement in the first lawsuit, or about $1.4 million. The agreement calls for them to receive the same percentage in the second complaint, which will be about $900,000.

danger will robinson!! Danger !!! Danger!!!

[FunkRider]

1mph over the limit? Speedometers are only designed to be 95% accurate and factor in tire wear etc

Also how can they issue demerit points to someones license if they don't know who is driving the car?

[Fredog]

1mph over the limit? Speedometers are only designed to be 95% accurate and factor in tire wear etc

Also how can they issue demerit points to someones license if they don't know who is driving the car?

Photos of both the Driver's face and License plate
> are taken.

[Mr. Ford95]

Go Top Gear in Japan style, get a popsicle stick and put a pic of a face from someone famous on it. Make sure to punch a hole in the eyes so you can still see from behind it, as soon as you see the van's, throw that over your face until your well past it and keep on getting. They will have an awful hard time proving it was you without your face in the pic. Alas, enough people do that and a new law will be implemented in that it's against the law to carry a mask device to elude a Photo Enforcement. Still will have a hard time proving who was driving unless a cop is standing by at the ready to instantly pull you over.

[Fredog]

another foolproof way to deal with it, is JUST DONT GO OVER THE SPEED LIMIT!!

[Skywalker]

another foolproof way to deal with it, is JUST DONT GO OVER THE SPEED LIMIT!!

DATS RIGHT!!!

Frankly, since I expect that I will be looked at in construction zones, I drive the speed limit for the zone or slightly lower. If my speedo says 45....my truck is actually doing "43". I know that for a fact.

There is absolutely no reason to speed in a construction zone...or anywhere for that matter!!

BTW..... IL has been using "photoradar" in a lot of areas for a long time now.....nothing new.

[Fredog]

DATS RIGHT!!!

Frankly, since I expect that I will be looked at in construction zones, I drive the speed limit for the zone or slightly lower. If my speedo says 45....my truck is actually doing "43". I know that for a fact.

There is absolutely no reason to speed in a construction zone...or anywhere for that matter!!


BTW..... IL has been using "photoradar" in a lot of areas for a long time now.....nothing new.

There is absolutely no reason to speed in a construction zone...or anywhere for that matter!!
unless you drive for Swift or JB Hunt, then you are required to do 65 at all times

[Skywalker]

There is absolutely no reason to speed in a construction zone...or anywhere for that matter!!
unless you drive for Swift or JB Hunt, then you are required to do 65 at all times

Seems that way doesn't it? One of their asswipes almost sideswiped me up at the 55/70 interchange by Troy.....too busy yapping on his cell phone to look in the mirror....but damn sure figured he had the right of way...... Afterall....he was pulling a "Buttweiser" trailer

[Part Time Dweller]

News flash, these cameras have been in use in construction zones for several years in the Chicago area.

Oh, BTW, it is a must appear ticket, and the $375 is the cost of the ticket. By the time they add costs, it is close to $650.

So go ahead and speed away in those construction zones. We Illinois residents thank you for your generous contributions to our state coffers. As the saying goes, 'A fool and his money are soon parted'.

[avc]

Fraud , the way to the top in America !!!

[Fredog]

Oh, BTW, it is a must appear ticket, and the $375 is the cost of the ticket. By the time they add costs, it is close to $650.

NOT TRUE

[VPIDarkAngel]

There is absolutely no reason to speed in a construction zone...or anywhere for that matter!!
unless you drive for Swift or JB Hunt, then you are required to do 65 at all times

Uuuhhhh, isn't Swift stuck at 62 these days?

[Part Time Dweller]

Oh, BTW, it is a must appear ticket, and the $375 is the cost of the ticket. By the time they add costs, it is close to $650.

NOT TRUE

You are correct, it isn't $650, I misstated the cost. It actually is $660, at least in DuPage County. $375 for the ticket and $285 for court costs. I just rember the whiney letters to the editor from the guilty parties when they went to court and had to pay it.

With $285 in court costs tacked on to their violations, many defendants walked out of court with $660 less than when they entered. Some paid even more for excessive speeding.

$660 average fine! Drivers hit for speeding in construction zones - Chicago Tribune

[Fredog]

You are correct, it isn't $650, I misstated the cost. It actually is $660, at least in DuPage County. $375 for the ticket and $285 for court costs. I just rember the whiney letters to the editor from the guilty parties when they went to court and had to pay it.


$660 average fine! Drivers hit for speeding in construction zones - Chicago Tribune

“I’d be a frickin’ traffic hazard if I went 45,” Jim, who did not want his last name in the newspaper, whispered to a reporter.

Tell that to the worker I saw get run over and killed in Florida. I dont speed in construction zones, but I know MOST people do and I just wanted them to know what they were facing.
I wonder if that idiot in Florida would rather pay $660 instead of facing life in prison?

[avc]

Go figure, OJ gets away with murder while State Officials get away with massive fraud !!!

Like Don King says, "Only in America" !!!!

[Part Time Dweller]

Go figure, OJ gets away with murder while State Officials get away with massive fraud !!!

Like Don King says, "Only in America" !!!!

How is it fraud? When you knowingly break the law endanger your and others lives by speeding, you get a big fine. It isn't like they hide these vans. There are signs warning of their presence and a huge digital "your speed is" sign on top of it. If you are really that stupid to speed right by the van, then again, thanks for the donation.