Illinois lawmakers have passed a bill that would allow the Illinois Tollway to use cameras to help issue tickets to drivers who park their vehicles on the shoulder of highways near O’International Airport Hare of Chicago.
The legislation, passed by both the Illinois House of Representatives and Senate, would aim to increase driver safety near the airport and discourage motorists from parking their vehicles on the shoulders near O’ Hare.
It now sits on Illinois Governor JB Pritzker’s desk and would go into effect immediately upon signing.
“O’Hare is one of the busiest airports in the country,” Illinois Senate President Don Harmon said in a statement. “With thousands of cars passing through every day, obstructions on the roadway pose a threat to drivers, passengers and pedestrians. »
According to the text of HB 5408, the bill prohibits drivers from stopping or parking their vehicles on the shoulder of highways within a half-mile radius of the airport’s eastern entrance. This also applies to the intersection of Interstates 90 and 294, according to the text of the bill.
Anyone violating this law will be subject to a citation and a $100 fine. The bill would also allow the installation of cameras by the Illinois Tollway Authority to capture images of cars violating the law, with lawmakers citing the need for caution in assigning officers to areas around of the airport.
“Countless drivers have parked on the shoulders of these roads waiting for travelers to arrive instead of using the cell parking lots conveniently located on airport property,” the state representative said of Illinois, Brad Stephens. “We cannot assign officers to these areas to address this security issue as this is not an efficient use of manpower.”
NBC Chicago
