Looks like we might be getting the cameras too (construction, school)

[dc1225]

but doubt it...People in chicago are fuming over the cameras.


New troopers on city highways won't free up Chicago cops for patrol

Posted by Ray Long at 8:25 p.m.

Gov. Rod Blagojevich produced his plan Thursday for state troopers to give Chicago police a hand, but the city’s top cop said it’s not going to free up any more officers to patrol the streets.
The governor’s deployment of 50 more troopers to patrol Chicago interstates comes after he declared last month that city violence is “out of control.” That did not sit well with Mayor Richard Daley as Chicago bids for the 2016 Summer Olympics. The Tribune reported Thursday that murders in the city are up 18 percent this year through July, compared to the same period in 2007.
State Police Director Larry Trent said he began adding highway patrols Wednesday and the extra troopers arrested one driver in a stolen vehicle, seized a gun, made two drug-related arrests and arrested three others on warrants.
Chicago Police Supt. Jody Weis said most additional Illinois State Police efforts will be focused along the Dan Ryan and Eisenhower Expressways that the state long has patrolled.
“It’s going to help overall law enforcement in Chicago, but it really won’t free up any more Chicago police officers,” Weis said.
Chicago police officials said the major change is the state’s decision to reinstate two investigators who track guns throughout the state.
A week ago, Daley mocked the governor’s ability to provide help.
"What help can he give me? What help is he talking about?" Daley said at the time. "State police have no money; they are being cut."
The 2,057 sworn officers now in the state police represent about 100 fewer than last summer, but 94 cadets are training to replenish the ranks, officials said. The administration plans to use Chicago-area troopers rather than shift officers from Downstate, according to State Police Sgt. Brian Ley.
News of the additional troopers came the same day Blagojevich proposed putting speed-enforcement cameras on interstates throughout Illinois to crack down on drivers going 15 m.p.h. or more faster than the speed limit.
The governor said money collected from fines could be used to hire 500 troopers over three years. But even lawmakers who applauded Blagojevich’s efforts to increase traffic safety said it won’t be easy to pass the camera legislation.
Sen. John Cullerton (D-Chicago) said winning approval would "require a lot of compromise and work." He suggested a test program might help chances for passage.
Sen. John Millner (R-Carol Stream), a former Elmhurst police chief, opposed more cameras and said he turned down an invitation from the governor’s office to attend Thursday’s announcement.
"Law enforcement should never solely be used as a revenue enhancer—never," Millner said. "Because then it’s not about safety, it’s about money. And you have to be very careful not to cross that line."
Rep. Eddie Acevedo (D-Chicago), a city policeman on leave, doubted more cameras are needed.
"You don’t want to scare the public by thinking we're going under this Big Brother," said Acevedo, noting many cameras are used now.
Blagojevich dismissed the complaints, saying his camera proposal strikes a balance between the "right of an individual and the right to protect the community."
The governor, who already has called lawmakers back to Springfield next week, suggested Thursday he also may bring them in several days a week after Labor Day to debate school funding and a statewide construction plan before November’s election.
Tribune reporters Monique Garcia and Angela Rozas contributed to this report.