CHICAGO, April 25 (UPI) -- The Illinois Senate passed a bill that would allow cameras on school buses for the purpose of catching motorists who pass buses when stop signs are extended.
Opponents of the bill have brought up the controversial red-light ticket cameras in Chicago. The federal government is investigating bribery allegations surrounding the city's contract with Redflex Traffic Systems, which managed those cameras, the Chicago Tribune reported.
Those that object to the bill, such as state Sen. Dan Duffy, have said there is no need for the law and that it will only create more controversies, the Tribune reported.
But the lobbyist advocating for the bill said a separate red-light camera company, Redspeed, is pushing the current legislation.
Under the proposal, which the Senate approved Wednesday, local municipalities or counties would have to sign off before a district could use the cameras.
School districts would receive the bulk of the money from the fines, and the rest of the money would pay for the costs of the program, the Tribune said.
A first offense would result in $150 fine, and a second offense, $500.
The measure is now being forwarded along to the House.
