Chicago to Scale Back Red Light Camera Program

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel "announced he would remove 50 red light cameras at 25 of the 174 intersections in the city's program and soften the penalty for first-time offenders," reports David Kidwell.

Mayor Emanuel denied that the timing of the announcement was in response to a stiffening challenge from Jesus "Chuy" Garcia in an election runoff.

"Emanuel has staunchly defended the program amid a series of Tribune investigations that exposed his administration's failed oversight, unfair and inconsistent enforcement, and unsupported safety claims. The mayor has been gradually removing cameras since the Tribune's series started, but even after the removal of 50 under the latest move, Chicago will still have more than 300."

The Chicago Tribune's coverage of Mayor Emanuel's announcement includes an interactive map of the intersections where red lights will be removed.