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Recent Blog Posts
Illinois Traffic Laws for School Buses and Road Maintenance Vehicles
When first learning to drive, some are taught a little rhyme to help them in certain situations. The saying goes, “For sirens and lights, pull to the right.” However, yielding the right of way, slowing down, and even stopping your vehicle is not just for fire trucks, police vehicles, and ambulances, as Illinois traffic laws are in place to protect those who make their living on the roads, as well as their passengers.
Watch Out for School Buses
They typically are big and yellow, so it is hard to imagine a driver failing to notice a stopped school bus. Additionally, the blinking lights and extended stop sign are designed to help motorists follow the laws as they relate to dealing with school buses. Drivers should be sure to follow these rules around school buses:
- Motorists driving in either direction on a two-lane roadway must come to a complete stop when they encounter a school bus stopped to pick up or drop off school children.
Zero Tolerance for Underage Drinking and Driving
Parties, family get-togethers, and spending time with friends; while such events can offer a great deal of fun, they can also create danger when a person who celebrated a little too much gets behind the wheel of a car to drive home. Most adults have some idea of how much is too much, but for those under 21 in Illinois , any level of alcohol intoxication can lead to serious consequences under the state’s Zero Tolerance Law.
For individuals under the age of 21, the consumption of alcohol alone is against the law . A person found guilty of possessing, purchasing, or consuming alcohol underage may have his or driving privileges suspended for up to 6 months for a first conviction. A second conviction results in a year’s suspension, and subsequent offenses will in result in the revocation of the individual’s driver’s license.
An underage person who is found to be driving with alcohol in his or system is subject to prosecution on at least two separate charges, depending on the amount of alcohol. As with a driver over 21, an underage driver operating a motor vehicle with a blood-alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08 percent or higher may be charged with driving under influence or DUI. First-time underage offenders face a two-year mandatory license suspension, fines of up to $2,500, and up to a year in prison. A second offense is punishable by up to a five-year revocation of the offender’s license, in addition to fines and prison sentences. Other factors, such as causing an injury or death, DUI without a valid license or insurance, for example, may further increase penalties.
Local Officer Skips Arrest - Offers Kindness Instead
When police officer Mario Valenti responded to an alleged trespassing call from a gym and fitness club in Skokie, he could have taken a hard line. Instead, upon encountering the alleged trespasser—a 15-year-old aspiring basketball player—Valenti opened his wallet and offered the boy an opportunity.
According to the Chicago Tribune and a number of other news outlets, the situation began a few months ago when X-Sport Fitness realized they had a problem with a teen showing up to play basketball without a membership. The gym’s operation manager said that the boy would find clever ways into the facility. “All of our entrances and exits are blocked,” the manager said. “And, sure enough, he would just show up on the basketball court.”
The boy was caught by staff members a few times and was told to leave. An unaccompanied minor without a membership is an insurance liability, and repeated incidents could potential constitute criminal trespassing. In August, the gym made good on its threats to call the police, and Officer Valenti responded.
Illinois BAIID Program Helps DUI Offenders Drive Sooner
When alcohol plays a role in a person’s decision-making, the consequences can range from somewhat embarrassing to possibly deadly. Among the most dangerous alcohol-related decisions one can make is to get behind the wheel of car while intoxicated, a choice that is not only unsafe, but also highly illegal. Those who are caught making such a mistake once , if they were fortunate enough not injure anyone while driving under the influence, may be eligible to participate in Illinois’ BAIID Program, which can reduce the punitive effects of a DUI.
What is a BAIID?
A Blood Alcohol Ignition Interlock Device, or BAIID , is an apparatus which, when installed in a DUI offender’s vehicle, is integrated into the vehicle’s electrical system. Similar to a breathalyzer, a BAIID determines blood alcohol content (BAC) by measuring the alcohol present in a person’s breath. The device, however, will not allow the car to start without the driver first blowing into the BAIID and registering a BAC under the legal limit.
The Most Violent Cities in Illinois
Every year, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) works in conjunction with state and local law enforcement departments to track and record the type and number of crimes committed within Illinois cities. It is important for residents, criminal defense professionals, police, and elected officials to understand this information so steps can be taken to address trends in the courts and on the streets.
Big or Small - Crime Does Not Discriminate
There are a couple of different ways to read the crime data to determine the amount and types of crimes being committed. These types of studies tend to focus on violent crimes (murder, rape, robbery and aggravated assault), and the size of a city’s population. Here is a summary of some important details of note from the most current statistics :
Good Samaritan Law and Illegal Drug Use
With the many dangers of drug use so regularly emphasized, it is extremely concerning that illicit drug use continues to plague the country. Apart from being highly illegal, the use and abuse of substances such as heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamines can have serious consequences on an individual’s health, lifestyle, and family relationships. In an effort to curb the most serious health impact, however, state laws throughout the United States, including Illinois, have been enacted to provide limited criminal immunity for those would seek emergency help for someone experiencing a drug overdose. Known as Good Samaritan Laws, such measures look to save lives by addressing the health dangers of a potentially deadly situation before legal concerns.
The use of heroin in Illinois has started capturing statewide attention, as there has been a significant increase in heroin-related activity and overdoses in recent years. In Will County, for example, there were 5 reported deaths attributed to heroin overdoses in 2000, a number which exploded by 2012 to 46. DuPage County similarly reported 42 heroin-overdose deaths in 2012, and numbers throughout the area are similar.
Notorious Crimes Committed in Illinois
Every year, studies are conducted during which Illinois prison inmates are interviewed and records reviewed to determine the most common types of crimes being committed across the state. This information provides a glimpse into the criminal justice system, as well as the people who make up the state’s inmate population.
A Notorious Top 10
While the current year’s numbers are not available, statistics from previous years indicate that not much changes over consecutive 12 month periods when it comes to the types of crimes that result in individuals living behind bars. Here is a brief summary of the ten most committed crimes in Illinois, according to the responses of those convicted:
10. Robbery - These crimes constitute the theft of a person’s property or money through the use of physical force or fear, and always include a victim who sustains a physical injury.
Drinking and Boating Can Cost You Your License
For many, spending an afternoon on the water may be an ideal form of relaxation. There are few things better than cruising around the lake in a boat while enjoying the company of friends or family. It is hardly surprising, however, that a large number of boaters also incorporate alcohol into their recreational activities. When alcohol use leads to drunken boating or boating under the influence, the situation can quickly turn dangerous or even deadly. In addition, a person found to be operating a boat under the influence of alcohol or drugs may face charges and penalties similar to those for operating a motor vehicle under the influence .
Deadly Accident Leads to Updated Laws
In 2012, a 10 year old Libertyville boy named Tony Borcia was boating with his family on Petite Lake, part of Illinois’ popular Chain O’Lakes. The young boy was riding on inflatable tube being towed by his father when he fell off the tube. Despite Tony’s bright red lifejacket, a large boat struck the boy, killing him instantly. The driver of the second boat was later found to have been under the influence of alcohol and cocaine at the time of the crash, and was subsequently sentenced to a 10 year prison term.
Lake County Illinois Gun Raffle Continues in Wake of Tragedy
Last week, the entire world was horrified to learn of a mass shooting that claimed the lives of 58 individuals in Las Vegas—the deadliest mass shooting in modern American history. According to official reports, a single gunman allegedly unleashed hundreds of rounds from an upper-level hotel room into a large crowd of people attending a country music festival. In the days that followed, the debate over legal gun ownership has once again captured the nation’s attention, as is often the case after high-profile shootings.
On one extreme, proponents of stricter gun control laws support the idea that private ownership of firearms should be more severely limited. On the other end of the spectrum, gun rights activists believe that responsible gun owners should not be forced to compromise their Second Amendment rights. The divide between the two extremes is even evident on a local level, with controversy arising over a gun raffle scheduled to take place this week in Lake County.
Illinois Law Protects Referees From Assault
Interscholastic and youth sports serve a number of purposes for those who participate in them. Boys and girls can learn a great deal from being part of a team, including self-discipline, sportsmanship, and the importance of fair play, in addition to the benefits of increased exercise. Unfortunately, parents and coaches often lose sight of the true goals of youth and school sports as they become all but obsessed with the scoreboard and perceived slights on the court or field. In extreme cases, spectators, coaches, and even players may become so irate that they behave violently toward referees, umpires, and other officials. It is important to understand the risks of such behavior, as the penalties for attacking a sports official in Illinois can be severe.
Struggling With Sportsmanship
When a referee or umpire steps onto the field or court, he or she understands that players, spectators, and coaches will not agree with all of his or her calls. It is simply the nature of sports. Disagreement is one thing, but nearly every official has stories about parents or coaches getting too personal in expressing their displeasure with a call or ruling. It has gotten so bad in some regions that scholastic and recreational leagues are now struggling to find officials who are willing to tolerate the verbal abuse—often from people who do not know the rules themselves.
