Illinois Governor Has Plans To Raise Millions Across The State To Fight Chicago Crime

Let's see. What's wrong with this story?

Normally, parking meters and red light cameras are used to regulate traffic flow and reduce the incidence of accidents at high-traffic intersections. Normally, a politician gets his or her hand slapped -- HARD -- when they talk of using such to raise money.

Because it is supposed to be about regulating traffic.

So, how are Illinois residents reacting to Gov. Blagojevich's plan to "raise millions" to fight crime in Chicago by installing speed cameras on Illinois highways? No one knows -- yet. But he has plans . . . BIG plans.

"In the long term, the governor is considering installing speed cameras in each direction of every interstate in the 20 State Police districts across Illinois to raise $50 million a year in revenue -- enough for 500 more troopers. The money could support an "elite tactical team" and bolster everything from crash investigations to cold-case murder probes, Trent said."

Most of the money, however, is to be earmarked for Chicago crime fighting. The city with the most restrictive gun laws in the state, if you didn't know, has the highest violent crime rate in the state. Sound vaguely like Washington, D.C.? Which had its figurative head handed to it by the U.S. Supreme Court, and now continues to flout the intent of the court. In Chicago, all the talk is about fighting guns, instead of fighting gangs.

Interestingly, the LETS RAISE MONEY angle is now accepted, and more important than regulating traffic. Arizona is doing the same thing, according to the Chicago Sun-Times article.

This one will be interesting to watch.