Speeders Sought to Help Boost Massac Budget

METROPOLIS, IL – Prompted by the continuing financial crisis in Illinois, Massac County officials have chosen a novel way to bolster their faltering ledger sheet.

Massac County deputies will apparently be on the lookout for speeders; and the cash their speeding tickets can bring to the county.

A recent Illinois law raised the fine for speeding from $75 to $120.

With the money going back to the county from which the traffic violations occur, county commissions have instructed the sheriff’s department to write enough tickets to justify the re-instatement of a dispatcher and deputy who have been laid-off.

According to the Metropolis Planet, the suggestion was brought to the county commissioners at Tuesday’s meeting of the county board by Chief Deputy and Circuit Clerk.

Chief Deputy reportedly told the board that the layoff of a deputy had forced the department to cut back on patrols on Interstate 24.

The re-instatement of a deputy, along with the increase in the cost of speeding tickets, could significantly bolster the county’s finances.

The board did not agree to re-hire the deputy, but instructed the sheriff’s department to try to write 250 tickets in the next month; at which point the board would consider re-instating a deputy.

2010/10/07

http://www.westkentuckystar.com/News/Local—Regional/Southern-Illinois/Speeders-Sought-to-Help-Boost-Massac-Budget