Ya, that's fair, and very noble of you. I think this sort of thing is often the divide between engineering and politics. Engineers want to do the thing. Politicians want to make it easier to do the thing. I realize those are loose definitions, and I'm just some internet guy, but I like my definitions. As you get promoted, you move away from engineering, and further into politics. Personally I don't have the patience for much politics, even though i recognize that it is good and important.
All that to say -- I think you should be promoted :)
1. Exactly what you said, it's illegal but is seldom enforced
2. I would rather break the law to improve the world, than to follow the law and watch it fall into chaos.