An electronic insurance verification program may soon be implemented in Illinois. This program will make it much easier for officers to catch those driving without car insurance. In 2014, the Illinois legislature established a committee to design the program, which will likely include a computer database that would be accessible…
1. The liability of parents for underage drinking no longer only applies to residences or private property. State law will be expanded in 2015 to penalize parents who allow those under the age of 21 to consume alcohol in vehicles, trailers, campers or watercrafts under their ownership or control. Parents…
A new Illinois law eliminates the requirement that drivers post their license as bail for certain traffic tickets. The “Sign and Drive” law (Senate Bill 2583) permits the driver’s signature on the traffic citation to guarantee their appearance in court or payment of required fines. Under the new law, the…
On Sunday, Governor Pat Quinn signed a bill into law restricting police departments from imposing ticket quotas on officers in Illinois. The Governor stated that officers should “not be forced to ticket motorists to satisfy a quota system” and explained that the new law will “prevent motorists from facing unnecessary…
Final notice was given by Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s office Wednesday before the new automated speed cameras near parks and schools we begin issuing real tickets. Some of the cameras have been running under a grace period over the last couple of months but will soon be switching to enforcement mode…
A five-year contract to install speed cameras in Chicago was finalized by Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s administration last week. The $67 million contract allows the installation of up to 300 cameras designed to catch speeders around city schools and parks. As few as 50 locations could be in operation this year…
Dean A. Suominen, 37, of Shorewood avoided jail time after pleading guilty Tuesday in DuPage County to misdemeanor DUI and reckless driving after officials allege he was traveling at more than 140 mph at the time of the incident. Suominen was charged on January 10, 2012 after his Dodge Charger…
Hector Barajas, 23, was charged with driving under the influence as a result of a two-car crash that left one man dead and three other people injured. One of the vehicles hit a light pole. One victim was pronounced dead at Northwestern Memorial Hospital an hour after the crash. Two…
Mark E. Ditka, 48, was arrested and charged with driving under the influence, failure to display registration and speeding. Deerfield police attempted to pull Ditka over when they noticed his vehicle did not have a front license plate. He allegedly continued to drive after police flagged him down and was…
Henry Jesus Mendez, 21, was arrested in connection with car chase that resulted in a crash in the Lakeview neighborhood of Chicago. Mendez allegedly began firing a gun at individuals he recently had an altercation with at a nearby nightclub. Police officers heard the gunshots and responded to the scene…