Illinois House Approves Plan To Upgrade Chicago Area Expressway Cameras
CHICAGO (CBS) -- The Illinois House has approved legislation aimed at helping state police catch shooters who open fire on Chicago area expressways, by requiring upgraded cameras capable of recording license plates.
The state has more than 600 cameras that currently live-stream video of traffic conditions on the expressways, but they can't record footage.
Illinois State Rep. Thaddeus Jones (D-Calumet City) has proposed legislation that would require the Illinois Department of Transportation to upgrade every highway camera in Cook County, so that it is capable of recording license plates.
#BREAKING: Expressway Safety Act passes #ILHouse 109-0. Bill funds upgrades to @IDOT_Illinois traffic cams so they'll record. Goal: deter/solve hwy violence. @cbschicago report revealed only 10 #ISP arrests of 160+ shootings: https://t.co/BYwWL30Rdy) @Melody422094 @ILStatePolice
— LAUREN VICTORY (@LaurenVictory) April 11, 2019
The Illinois House approved that measure Thursday by a 109-0 vote, sending the legislation to the Illinois Senate.
The Illinois Expressway Safety Act also is known as the Tamara Clayton Act, named after a postal worker who was shot and killed on Interstate 57 in January. Her killer has not been caught.