Here’s a little surveillance news from Illinois….

Gov hopes to raise millions to fight crime by putting cameras on interstates
http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/blagojevich/1095739,CST-NWS-blago07.article

A few choice excerpts….

“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.”

[I suppose in PA they would use that money for keeping third party and independent candidates off the ballot.  I’m sure the pure Chicago machine will use it for strictly legitimate purposes.]

“Asked what speeds Illinois motorists would have to hit before they would get nailed with a camera violation, Guerrero said, "It would have to be egregious -- 80 or 85 mph. We don't know yet."”

[Egregious could mean an LP or Ron Paul bumper sticker.  You never know.]

Soon, if not now, it’ll have nothing to do with safety and everything to do with revenue and control.  I fear that in difficult economic times, government at every level will look to increase revenue any possible way.

Mark