Things were looking up for startup Chicago red light camera vendor SafeSpeed, LLC.

It looked like, as of last week, SafeSpeed was going to add it’s fifth municipal customer and be named Berwyn’s preferred vendor for red light camera enforcement according to Berwyn Life Newspaper.

Berwyn was conducting traffic studies on six new intersections and would most likely move ahead with SafeSpeed as the vendor because of their more competitive price compared to RedSpeed, LLC which was already operating three red light cameras in this near west suburban town. Reportedly, Berwyn would save $100,000 moving forward with SafeSpeed for the new cameras.

But what a difference a week makes. Especially when the Chicago Tribune starts looking into things.

The Tribune is reporting today that a well-connected lawyer named Michael Del Galdo, who has done work for Berwyn Mayor Robert Lovero and contributed to his campaign, also has or had some sort of financial interest in SafeSpeed.

According to the Trib, and documents from the Illinois Secretary of State’s office, Del Galdo was listed as a member of the company. Del Galdo, of course, denies any knowledge of how his name got on the documents.

SafeSpeed’s future with Berwyn is now unclear.

But really, should anyone be surprised by these antics?

Red light cameras are big business. They generate hundreds of thousands, if not millions of dollars a year for municipalities.

Red light cameras are about the revenue first, and safety second.

It’s bound to attract unsavory characters and bad behavior.

UPDATE: Chicago Breaking News is reporting SafeSpeed got the thumbs up from the Berwyn city council in a 5-2 vote this evening, despite any potential conflict of interests alleged by the Tribune and any appearance of impropriety.