$38.75 Million Settlement in Red Light Ticket Lawsuit
The city of Chicago's automated red light camera system has grown to over 350 cameras and has raised over $500 million through $100 tickets since 2002.
Investigations beginning in 2012 exposed corruption, lack of oversight, and inconsistent enforcement, which lead to a class-action lawsuit against the red light camera program. Recently, the city settled the lawsuit for $38.75 million.
The deal would qualify 1.2 million motorists from 20100 to 2015 for 50 percent refunds because the city didn't give adequate notice to red light and speed camera violators. $28.75 would go towards cash refunds to those who paid their fines and $12 million would be debt forgiveness to those who didn't pay the tickets because the city failed to send out second notices of the violation that was required until 2015. The city will use general fund revenue to pay the settlement. Over $11 million could go towards attorneys who filed the class-action lawsuit.
Comments from Allen:
The history of the Chicago red light ticket system is full of what made Chicago politics famous: corruption and bribery and oppressing the poor. One person in city hall took over $750,000 in bribes to direct the contracts for the cameras around the city to one company. The system was sold to the public as a means of enhancing safety, but the record shows an actual increase in rear-end accidents at intersections.
Why would the number of such accidents increase at intersections? Probably because the yellow light timers were shortened beneath federal traffic standards. People are naturally expecting to have a certain amount of time to get themselves through an intersection when they see the yellow light. Shortening the time the light remained yellow resulted in drivers being surprised at intersections. Rear-end collisions increased 22% when the new camera system was installed.
Additionally, persons were supposed to get a second notice of their alleged infraction when cited, and a right to a hearing concerning their tickets. These were not being given, and fines were increased as a result.
How did all of this come to light? Many had complained about the system and challenges and complaints to the system fell on deaf ears until The Chicago Tribune conducted an investigation of the system and discovered the bribery, delays, the failure of Chicago to refund fines improperly collected and Mayor Rahm Emanuel's attempt to absolve the city of responsibility for refunding overcharges by changing the law to eliminate a second notice requirement in the law.
When all of this was exposed by the Chicago Tribune, the Myron M. Cherry & Associates law firm sued the city in a class action suit. Though prior suits had failed, this one had the advantage of having massive publicity via the Tribune, and had the benefit of the Tribune's research as well. The City, recognizing that it faced exposure of roughly $250 million due to its very faulty system and administration of that system, caved and agreed to pay the agreed damages.
I am not a big fan of class action lawsuits. Occasionally, as in the mesothelioma lawsuits that generated billions to pay settlement of victims of asbestos exposure, a great good is accomplished. Often however, victims of overbilling get token refunds and the attorneys bringing the class action get millions in attorney fees. I have a hard time with that.
In this case, I think good was accomplished and I think the attorneys involved earned their fees. A 50% refund of a fine is significant, and none of the victims of the unfair practices in Chicago had to do anything to make that happen.
This was a victory won by The Myron M. Cherry & Associates law firm and the Chicago Tribune. Good work, folks!
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-rahm-emanuel-red-light-tickets-lawsuit-settlement-met-20170720-story.html
http://www.personalinjury.com/news/city-reaches-3875-million-settlement-red-light-ticket-lawsuit
http://wgntv.com/2017/07/20/chicago-red-light-camera-settlement-worth-38-75-million/
Investigations beginning in 2012 exposed corruption, lack of oversight, and inconsistent enforcement, which lead to a class-action lawsuit against the red light camera program. Recently, the city settled the lawsuit for $38.75 million.
The deal would qualify 1.2 million motorists from 20100 to 2015 for 50 percent refunds because the city didn't give adequate notice to red light and speed camera violators. $28.75 would go towards cash refunds to those who paid their fines and $12 million would be debt forgiveness to those who didn't pay the tickets because the city failed to send out second notices of the violation that was required until 2015. The city will use general fund revenue to pay the settlement. Over $11 million could go towards attorneys who filed the class-action lawsuit.Comments from Allen:
The history of the Chicago red light ticket system is full of what made Chicago politics famous: corruption and bribery and oppressing the poor. One person in city hall took over $750,000 in bribes to direct the contracts for the cameras around the city to one company. The system was sold to the public as a means of enhancing safety, but the record shows an actual increase in rear-end accidents at intersections.
Why would the number of such accidents increase at intersections? Probably because the yellow light timers were shortened beneath federal traffic standards. People are naturally expecting to have a certain amount of time to get themselves through an intersection when they see the yellow light. Shortening the time the light remained yellow resulted in drivers being surprised at intersections. Rear-end collisions increased 22% when the new camera system was installed.
Additionally, persons were supposed to get a second notice of their alleged infraction when cited, and a right to a hearing concerning their tickets. These were not being given, and fines were increased as a result.
How did all of this come to light? Many had complained about the system and challenges and complaints to the system fell on deaf ears until The Chicago Tribune conducted an investigation of the system and discovered the bribery, delays, the failure of Chicago to refund fines improperly collected and Mayor Rahm Emanuel's attempt to absolve the city of responsibility for refunding overcharges by changing the law to eliminate a second notice requirement in the law.
When all of this was exposed by the Chicago Tribune, the Myron M. Cherry & Associates law firm sued the city in a class action suit. Though prior suits had failed, this one had the advantage of having massive publicity via the Tribune, and had the benefit of the Tribune's research as well. The City, recognizing that it faced exposure of roughly $250 million due to its very faulty system and administration of that system, caved and agreed to pay the agreed damages.
I am not a big fan of class action lawsuits. Occasionally, as in the mesothelioma lawsuits that generated billions to pay settlement of victims of asbestos exposure, a great good is accomplished. Often however, victims of overbilling get token refunds and the attorneys bringing the class action get millions in attorney fees. I have a hard time with that.
In this case, I think good was accomplished and I think the attorneys involved earned their fees. A 50% refund of a fine is significant, and none of the victims of the unfair practices in Chicago had to do anything to make that happen.
This was a victory won by The Myron M. Cherry & Associates law firm and the Chicago Tribune. Good work, folks!
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Allen Browning is an attorney in Idaho Falls, Idaho who handles personal injury and criminal defense. He has over 30 years of experience and handled thousands of cases. Allen handles cases from all over Idaho. Call (208) 542-2700 to set up a free consultation if you are facing legal trouble or you have been involved in an accident.
Also, check out browninglaw.net for more information about Allen and Browning Law.
Allen Browning can help with all personal injury claims including motor vehicle accidents, truck accidents, auto accidents, serious and disabling accidents, and wrongful death claims.
Allen Browning is an Idaho Falls attorney who can also help with drunk driving (DUI), traffic violations, Felony, Misdemeanor, Domestic Violence, Drug Crimes, Theft, Juvenile Crimes, battery and assault charges, Violent Crimes, and Probation/Parole Violations. He is one of the most experienced and successful criminal defense attorneys in Idaho.
Allen is able to provide his services if the incident occurs in the following Idaho Areas: American Falls, Arco, Blackfoot, Boise, Burley, Driggs, Idaho Falls, Malad City, Pocatello, Rexburg, Rigby, Salmon, St. Anthony, Twin Falls, Bannock County, Bingham County, Bonneville County, Butte County, Cassia County, Clark County, Fremont County, Jefferson County, Lemhi County, Madison County, Oneida County, Power County, Teton County, and Twin Falls County.
Sources for more information:http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-rahm-emanuel-red-light-tickets-lawsuit-settlement-met-20170720-story.html
http://www.personalinjury.com/news/city-reaches-3875-million-settlement-red-light-ticket-lawsuit
http://wgntv.com/2017/07/20/chicago-red-light-camera-settlement-worth-38-75-million/
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