After another indictment, activists call for camera program to end
Days after former Oakbrook Terrace Mayor Anthony Ragucci was charged in a red-light camera bribery scheme, two longtime self-styled community activists held a news conference to protest the cameras in front of the red-light cameras at Kingery Road and 22nd Street.
According to federal prosecutors, Ragucci took a $12,500 bribe from red light camera company officials when the contract was up for renewal and in addition earned commissions on whatever revenue the cameras brought in to the community. Those charges dropped on Monday after a two-year federal investigation.
On Wednesday, Raul Montes Jr. and Frank Coconate, both longtime opponents of red-light and speed cameras, argued the city, the county, the state and every community that uses the cameras should get rid of them, or at least pause all camera programs for the time being.
The men argued the cameras hurt taxpayers, poor people and are tied to numerous fraud and corruption scandals like the Ragucci case across the state. They say the camera programs are too easy for political and business leaders to abuse and they add no value to public safety.
“He took money and was paid out money based on how much these red-light cameras generated,” Montes said of Ragucci. “It’s not about safety. It’s about getting money and ruining people’s lives.”
Even among political leadership, the cameras aren’t always popular. In Oakbrook, local officials opposed the red-light cameras at the intersection when they were first proposed in 2017. Even the state highway safety officials didn’t like the cameras — at first.
Oak Brook officials during a March Village Board meeting discussed whether there is further action they can take in the red light dispute.
The intersection, though busy, is relatively safe and was not then a cause for accidents. Indeed, the Illinois Department of Transportation — the final authority in whether or not to allow the cameras along a state highway — initially rejected the plan because, it said, the intersection was too safe. However, IDOT changed its tune and overruled local objection, allowing the cameras to fine motorists.
But the IDOT reversal came coincidentally after two powerful state senators intervened on behalf of SafeSpeed, a camera ticket company. Both men, Sen. Martin Sandoval and Sen. Tom Cullerton both admitted to taking bribes from SafeSpeed.
Cullerton has yet to be sentenced, while Sandoval died from COVID-19 in 2020.
Montes said this proves the cameras aren’t intended to improve traffic safety.
“It’s all concocted to make money,” said Montes. “It’s not about safety.”
These haven’t been the only officials tied up in bribery stings associated with SafeSpeed. Former Crestwood Mayor Lou Presta admitted to taking a cashstuffed envelope from a
SafeSpeed representative and he faces years in prison.
Montes said he wasn’t surprised.
The cameras may earn a few bucks from red-light scofflaws, but the programs give the green light to bribery.
“The people don’t want it,” he said of the cameras. “It’s a domino effect and what it leads to is corruption. If you drive down south on Kingery Road, there are four more cameras and people are sick of this.” Coconate echoed that. “How many more people will be indicted for taking money at the expense of the taxpayers,” Coconate asked.
Coconate said both he and his wife get automated tickets at least once a month for minor infractions, including going just a few miles over the speed limit. Public safety doesn’t improve, but it’s the political leaders and the camera companies that are the winners here.
“The elected officials aren’t paying for this,” Coconate said. “It’s the taxpayers. It’s the poor. And it’s disgusting. “When is it going to stop?” Both Montes and Coconate said they would like to turn the cameras into a larger public referendum that inspires public protest, marches and eventually repeals.