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Speed Cameras Near Union Park Dish Out Nearly $1.5 Million in Fines

 Speed cameras near Union Park has raked in nearly  $1.5 million in fines.
Speed cameras near Union Park has raked in nearly $1.5 million in fines.
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DNAinfo/Stephanie Lulay

NEAR WEST SIDE — Speeders zooming near Union Park, beware — the city has doled out nearly $1.5 million in speed-camera fines near the park, records show.

Since March 2014, the three speed cameras located near the 13-acre Union Park have raked in:

• $787,990 at 115 N. Ogden Ave.

• $381,000 at 140 N. Ashland Ave.

• $299,970 at 141 N. Ashland Ave.

The city's speed cameras issue a $35 fine to motorists caught traveling 10 mph over the posted limit and a $100 fine for cars going 11 mph or faster, city officials said this week. First-time offenders get a warning.

While it is allowed under current law, the city does not assess fines for drivers going between 6 and 9 mph over the speed limit.

The Near West Side's Ogden Avenue speed camera alone has issued 13,392 warnings, 2,094 $35 fines and 7,174 $100 fines. The speed camera issues the most tickets between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. daily.

Before winning re-election, Ald. Walter Burnett (27th), chairman of City Council's Committee on Pedestrian and Traffic Safety, told the Sun-Times that the location of red-light and speed cameras was a crucial component of the city's program.

"It depends on the location of the camera and whether or not it will help improve public safety," he wrote in response to a candidate questionnaire. "Above all, I am huge proponent of being fair. I don’t want people running red lights, endangering other drivers and pedestrians, but I also want to be fair."

Neighbors of the West Loop, a local community organization, has not formally taken a position on the Union Park speed cameras.

Ben Woodard and Tanveer Ali break down the speed camera data:

Citywide, the city has installed 146 speed cameras in 62 child safety zones, according to Mike Claffey, spokesman for the Chicago Department of Transportation.

Here are all the stories looking at speed camera data across Chicago's neighborhoods.

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