Residents in Illinois know full well that state, county, and local governments are strapped for cash. Public officials are scrambling for ways to fill budget shortfalls. Here's the latest from the Chicago Sun-Times:
"Being a speed demon on Illinois roads soon could take a bigger bite out of your bank account.
Fines for a series of minor but common traffic offenses will go up by as much as 60 percent -- adding $45 to the typical speeding ticket -- after the Illinois Supreme Court signed off on new charges that take effect Sept. 15."
The fact that the court did this raises a big red flag. This is all about one thing: Revenue. Here's the proof:
"The increases have the potential to pump more revenues into some cash-strapped county and local governments, though there are no firm estimates from the courts, the secretary of state's office or the Illinois Municipal League.
But in DuPage County, where about 185,000 tickets get adjudicated annually by the court system there, Circuit Court Clerk Chris Katcharoubus predicted Friday the higher fee structure could result in "a couple million dollars or so" more for the county.
"The financial impact was not something we looked at because we see this as bond," said Ford, the Champaign County judge. "But of course, with the petty offenses where the person can just use their bond money to pay, there'll be a financial increase in the amount of money getting paid to the [Circuit Court] clerks. But that's a by-product of it."
The legislation passed the Democratic-led General Assembly as an alternative to massive layoffs Quinn threatened against the State Police last spring in a bid to offset the state's $13 billion budget deficit."
Remember the formula: Democrats = Tax Increases = Big Government.
Illinoians, aka the ones who have to pay for this, aren't happy for example:
""That's terrible because a lot of people have lost their jobs," Barbara Oladunni, 40, an unemployed South Sider, said of the increases that will kick in in two weeks. "Speeding is a serious offense because somebody could get hurt, but I think the [new fines] are a little ridiculous."
"Man, that's too much," said Michael Green, 32, a South Sider and a forklift operator, when told of the new fee structure. "They've already got their hands in too many people's pockets. I'm going to be more careful. I'm going to drive like somebody's grandfather."
Bottom line: In this economy, people need to keep more of what they earn. The new fine increases do the exact opposite. In this instance, Illinos government is waiting for you to screw up so they can punish you.
Background Reading:
Chicago Sun-Times: Speeding becomes a high-ticket item as fines rise
