By Matt Hopf
GATEHOUSE NEWS SERVICE
Posted Jun 17, 2010 @ 12:27 AM
SPRINGFIELD — A proposal designed to avoid layoffs of Illinois State Police officers worries some county clerks, but the Illinois Supreme Court may have already taken care of the problem.
And if all goes according to plan, you’d pay $45 more for a speeding ticket and most other traffic violations.
The court has increased the $75 maximum bond amount for traffic violations to $120, effective Sept. 15.
The decision affects Senate Bill 3695, which is awaiting action by Gov. Pat Quinn. The bill, as written, would double administrative fees charged for traffic violations by diverting an estimated $23 million from city and county coffers to the state police. But the court’s decision to increase the bond amount for traffic violations — the fine you pay when issued a ticket — means that cities and counties won’t lose revenue.
The additional money could keep 460 troopers from being laid off and avert the closure of state police district headquarters in Litchfield, Carmi, Pecatonica, Macomb and Des Plaines.
Winnebago County Board Chairman Scott Christiansen has argued for weeks that SB3695 would raid the county of $211,000 a year. Municipalities within the county would lose a combined $107,000 annually.
Christiansen said the court’s decision is “great news. I’m usually not for raising any fees, but this is one you control. If you don’t want to pay it, don’t speed. Don’t break the law, it’s that easy.”
Rep. Jim Sacia, R-Pecatonica, believes the higher bond amount will ease concerns over a possible dent in county coffers.
“I know there were many county officials who felt that money was coming out of the amount of money designated to the municipality,” Sacia said. “This should certainly ease their minds significantly. (SB3695) was designed to prevent the layoff of the 464 troopers. It should be the answer to a lot of prayers.”
http://www.rrstar.com/news/x1311829874/Court-move-may-keep-Illinois-State-Police-on-the-job
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