The bill requires that decisions to issue traffic enforcement citations using automated systems be made explicitly by municipalities or counties, removing the ability to delegate this authority to contractors. Such contracts that violate this stipulation would be deemed null and void. Furthermore, the legislation mandates that intersection signage regarding automated traffic law enforcement systems include clear indications of applicable traffic rules, such as whether right turns are permitted after a stop, enhancing clarity for drivers.
The bill is set to go into effect on January 1, 2024, and will require municipalities and counties to comply with its provisions, potentially altering the landscape of automated traffic enforcement in Illinois.
House Bill 2808 aims to amend aspects of the Election Code and the Illinois Vehicle Code concerning automated law enforcement systems. Specifically, it establishes regulations that prevent contractors providing traffic enforcement equipment and services from making campaign contributions exceeding $500 to political committees. This provision is intended to eliminate potential conflicts of interest and ensure greater transparency in how municipalities and counties engage contractors for traffic enforcement systems.
One notable point of contention surrounding HB 2808 is its potential impact on automated traffic law enforcement systems and the transparency of their operation. Critics may argue that removing contractor influence over citation issuance could lead to inefficiencies or inconsistencies in enforcement. Moreover, the requirement for statistical analyses of the systems every three years seeks to ensure accountability in traffic enforcement practices, although this might also impose additional administrative burdens on municipalities.