Calling an Arizona law aimed at finding illegal immigrants un-American, Cook County commissioners today approved a resolution boycotting the state and giving the board power to end any contracts with vendors located in the state.
But in a quick turn of events, commissioners then approved a contract with a Scottsdale, Ariz.-based company that will supply red-light cameras in the Cook suburbs.
Commissioners Edwin Reyes and Joseph Mario Moreno, the board's lone Latinos, led the charge to boycott Arizona businesses.
"It's just patented un-American, and it's wrong," Moreno said, while Reyes said it was a question of civil rights.
"No matter what the impact is, we're taking a stand," said Commissioner Earlean Collins, who voted in favor of the boycott. "Equal protection and equal justice under the law."
The measure passed with 10 votes in favor, six against and one absent. But the opposition took the opportunity to flog the Obama administration for not moving fast enough to deal with immigration problems.
Republican Commissioner Tony Peraica called it "a hot potato that we have no business dealing with.'
"The pressure should be put on the White House, the Congress, all controlled by one party," he said.
Commissioner Timothy Schneider worried what would happen if the shoe were on the other foot.
"Maybe Arizona is going to come back and boycott Cook County businesses," he said.
"We’re punishing people, businesses in Arizona that may oppose this particular law," said Commissioner Peter Silvestri.
Shortly after the resolution passed, commissioners debated awarding a contract for a pilot red-light camera project to American Traffic Solutions, based in Scottsdale and RedSpeed Illinois, based in Lombard.
While Reyes intoduced an amendment that would have eliminated American Traffic Solutions from receiving the contract, other commissioners noted RedSpeed Illinois is a subsidiary of a British company.
"I find this abhorrent that we're going to renounce an American company because of a foolhardy resolution," Peraica said. American Traffic Solutions employs about 900 people in various regions in the United States; RedSpeed Illinois employs 25 people.
Commissioners eventually approved the contract, noting the boycott would not become official until it was signed by County Board President Todd Stroger and filed with the county clerk's office, a process which could take up to five days.
The red-light camera project won't be in effect until sometime in 2011, said Rupert Graham, superintendent of highways. The County Board had expected to earn about $2 million from the cameras this year.
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