- He is thereby exempt from being penalized for his supposed infractions.
No, he is not. Technically, neither are "squad cars" exempt, except for under the proscribed conditions. This is where the door for abuse is opened, for there is otherwise no need for the mayor to be traveling in a "police vehicle" unless the little ballerina was under arrest, though somewhere in city filings or charter, it is likely provision has been made to turn the CPD into mayoral office bodyguards and provide transportation. That transportation itself is not what is narrowly being objected to, but rather the scofflaw approach.
That police are not given tickets for breaking the traffic laws when they break them needlessly, is yet another matter. Again, it is very near to precisely there, that the abuse of law begins (in instances such as this).
But they CAN get ticketed when or if not operating under the stipulated conditions. Like --- they cannot just decide to turn on their siren -- because they don't want to stop at a red light. But cops do this at times, not always justifiably so, under the law.
Read this part again
(b) The driver of an authorized emergency vehicle, when responding to an emergency call or when in the pursuit of an actual or suspected violator of the law or when responding to but not upon returning from a fire alarm, may exercise the privileges set forth in this Section, but subject to the conditions herein stated.Getting to a meeting, even an officially scheduled government function, such as a City Council meeting IS NOT AN EMERGENCY.
Beating the traffic, getting to his office a few minutes sooner, IS NOT AN EMERGENCY.
Being on-time for Rahm's pedicure, IS NOT AN EMERGENCY.
What actual EMERGENCY would require the mayor of Chicago to need himself respond as a first responder? When would a mayor's motorcade ever be in "hot pursuit" of a fleeing criminal?
Just turning on lights and siren is not enough. There must be some emergency, some chase, etc., as stipulated by law.
All this free rent I've been enjoying in your head, is still too damn high 