Warnings for speeding will begin to be issued this week from newly installed Automated Speed Enforcement (ASE) cameras in the Children’s Safety Zones around St. Gall Elementary School in the Gage Park neighborhood.

On Wednesday, January 7th, the newly installed ASE cameras around the school at 5532 S. Kedzie Ave., 3212 and 3217 W. 55th St. will begin to issue warnings for a 30-day period.

Only warnings are issued for the first 30 days after cameras are activated in a safety zone. The first time a vehicle owner is eligible to receive an enforceable violation, they will instead receive a warning.

Per city ordinance, fines for violations are $35 for vehicles traveling 6-10 miles per hour over the posted speed limit while in a safety zone, and $100 for vehicles traveling 11 or more miles over the posted speed limit. The City is currently only issuing tickets for speeders going 10 or more miles per hour over the posted speed limit. 

The City is installing ASE cameras in Children’s Safety Zones around parks and schools in an effort to increase safety and reduce speeding. Revenue generated by the program is to be invested in critical safety initiatives including after-school, anti-violence and jobs programs; crossing guards and police officers around schools; and infrastructure improvements, such as additional signs, crosswalk markings and other traffic safety improvements. The Children’s Safety Zones are designated within 1/8th of a mile from Chicago parks or schools.

The City ordinance establishing the program narrows the hours and locations of enforcement that are allowed under state law, and provides for the following:

• The enforcement hours will be limited from 7 am to 7 pm in safety zones around schools on school days (Monday through Friday)

o 7 am to 4 pm: 20 mph speed limit when children are present; the posted speed limit when no children are present

o 4 pm to 7 pm: to the posted speed limit

• The enforcement hours around parks will be limited to only those hours parks are open (typically 6am to 11pm, 7 days a week) and to the posted speed limit.

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