Tribune Gets Some Red Light Camera Justice In Hillside
Even the Grim Reaper cannot escape red light camera tickets in the Village of Hillside according to one woman.
One irate woman driver reported to the Chicago Tribune’s Problem Solver column that she was issued a red light camera ticket in Hillside even though she was in a funeral procession.
She allegedly fought the RLC ticket and lost, with the hearing officer upholding the violation. That’s despite the fact being part of a funeral procession is one of the very few circumstances that can be raised as a legitimate legal defense for a red light camera violation. The driver even brought documentation to prove her case.
After complaining to the Problem Solver column, writer Jon Yates contacted Hilliside. The back pedaling by Hillside was furious and fast with village officials claiming they had offered to clear up the situation when the driver complained to them immediately after the original hearing date.
It’s hard to tell, but from the story, it seems the driver may not have conveyed the funeral procession defense as clearly as possible and was possibly more overly dramatic than necessary at the hearing.
On the other hand, reading the story one gets the sense Hillside officials are stuttering their responses during the Trib’s inquiries.
No matter. Ultimately, justice, with the aide of a major metropolitan newspaper wins out in the end.
Here’s the Tribune’s story, “Problem Solver: Red light ticket dampens funeral.”
I guess Hillside is “dead serious” about red light revenue!
Lol, good one!
This just shows how rigged the administrative hearings are. The red light camera adjudication system was carefully designed by Redspeed and RedFlex (and their friends in the General Assembly) to provide an appearance of due process while in reality providing none. if you don’t like the hearing officer’s ruling you can always pay another $300 to have a judge with almost no authority to reconsider the case affirm the hearing officer’s ruling.
This is how red light camera programs are administered all over the country. Zero due process, in any real sense. The hearings are just to make people think they have a shot at appealing, but they are told to pay anyway. The only red light camera ticket I’ve ever heard of being overturned was when a car had been reported stolen before the camera ticket was issued.
Just wait until we get the speed cameras and violations grow by 10x.
I too just received a red light violation in Hillside for failing to come to a complete stopstop on a right turn, and I wasn’t even the one driving the car. After expressing this to the hearing officer, he told me I was still responsible for the ticket even after telling him I had proof. Even after reviewing the video, the person did stop before his right turn,but I was still held in violation. Mind you, after 32 years of driving, I hv never received any tickets. I’m so upset. WHAT CAN I DO ABOUT THIS?
Crystal,
There’s not much you can do if a hearing officer has already ruled against you.
You could try appealing the decision to the circuit court, but that’s probably throwing good money after bad.
Next time, contact The Red Light Doctor.
http://www.redlightdoctor.com