Thursday, December 29, 2011

New Motor Vehicle Laws Enforced by Illinois State Police Starting January 1, 2012

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: ISP
Communications Office
December 29, 2011
217-782-6637

www.isp.state.il.us

TDD: 1-800-255-3323



NEW MOTOR VEHICLE LAWS ENFORCED BY ILLINOIS STATE POLICE STARTING JANUARY
1, 2012

Law Enforcement Officials Statewide Continue to Push for Zero Fatalities
with New Laws & Focus on Fatal Four

Springfield, IL – Beginning January 1, 2012, Illinois State Police (ISP)
will begin enforcing new motor vehicle laws that passed in 2011, as the
push to decrease traffic fatalities remains a top priority for law
enforcement officials across Illinois.

The ISP's Fatal Four most common traffic violations – Speeding, DUI, seat
belts, and distracted driving, remain a top priority for ISP Troopers to
enforce, and will be further enhanced with new laws that take effect on
January 1, 2012.

"Traffic fatalities are under 1,000 for the third straight year, but one
traffic fatality is one too many," said ISP Director Hiram Grau. "Although
there are many factors that contribute to the reduction of traffic crash
fatalities, it is no coincidence that seat belt compliance in Illinois has
increased, as the number of fatalities has decreased."

Director Grau also pointed to the fact that public safety partnerships and
awareness campaigns also contribute to the compliance level of motorists
and passengers.

The Illinois State Police continues to support safety education programs
and initiatives which have had a direct impact on public safety and have
reduced the number of traffic crash fatalities on Illinois roadways. As of
December 29, preliminary data indicates Illinois has experienced 821
traffic crash fatalities in 2011, which are 26 fatalities less than the
same time period in 2010.

Seat Belts for All Occupants. Illinois State Police will enforce a new
seat belt law that requires all passengers of a motor vehicle to be
properly restrained when the vehicle is operated on a street or highway.

The previous legislation only required the front seat driver, passenger,
and passengers under the age of 19 to wear a seat belt. The new
legislation requires ALL passengers traveling inside a vehicle to be
properly restrained. The new law does not apply to back seat taxicab
passengers, authorized emergency vehicles, or those issued a medical
exemption.

Enforcement of Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Regulation.
This new regulation prohibits the use of a hand-held mobile device by
anyone driving a Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV). The regulation also
prohibits Motor Carriers from requiring drivers to use a hand-held device
while operating a CMV on a highway. The only exceptions are when the
mobile device is being used with a hands-free application, when the CMV is
pulled over and completely stopped at a safe location, or when a CMV driver
is requesting emergency police or fire services.

Since the inception of distracted driving laws in 2010, the Illinois State
Police has issued over 19,540 citations and written warnings to distracted
drivers. Commercial motor vehicle operators account for 2.5 percent of the
citations and warnings issued.

A mobile telephone is considered a mobile communication device that falls
under or uses any commercial mobile radio service as defined by the Federal
Communications Commission. The definition does not include two-way or
Citizens Band (CB) radio services.

CMV drivers will only be allowed to utilize a hand-held mobile telephone
under the following circumstances:

When the driver uses a hands-free means of communication (i.e.
Bluetooth, ear piece);
When the driver has moved the vehicle to the side of, or off, a highway
and has halted in a location where the vehicle can safely remain
stationary, or
The driver is involved in an emergency situation that requires police or
fire services.

Truck Speed Limits. In July 2011, Governor Pat Quinn signed into law
Public Act 97-0202 which amended the Illinois Vehicle Code's Speed
Restrictions. The new law will take effect on January 3, 2012, and
increases the speed limit for second division vehicles traveling on
four-lane highways where the speed limit is 65 miles per hour.

The legislation removes the split speed limit provision for second division
vehicles with gross weights of 8,001 pounds (or more) operated on a
four-lane highway outside the counties of Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake,
McHenry, and Will. The previous law restricted second division vehicles to
a maximum speed of 55 miles per hour.

Signs posting the new speed limits throughout the state will be coordinated
by the Illinois Department of Transportation around snow and ice removal
operations. The removal of the signs is scheduled to begin in January.

ISP Districts will be coordinating enforcement efforts statewide and have
identified problem areas and roads to target for the New Year holiday
weekend. Roadside safety check patrols are already underway, and law
enforcement officials will be enforcing the laws to ensure that motorists
arrive at their final destinations safely.

Illinois State Police are responsible for the public safety of the citizens
of Illinois and patrol more than 20,000 miles of the state's highways.




###

ISP Driving Zero Fatalities to Reality





(See attached file: New Year ISP Enforcement Laws.doc)

Friday, December 23, 2011

Illinois State Police - Press Release



ILLINOIS STATE POLICE
Hiram Grau - Director
NEWS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT
Date:  December 23, 2011
Trooper Mike Link
Time:  9:12 a.m.
618.346.3524 - Office
618.973.3050 - Cell
mike.link@isp.state.il.us


Illinois State Police District 11 Head Quarters is a “Safe Haven”


COLLINSVILLE, IL – Illinois State Police (ISP) District 11 reminds the public that all Illinois State Police district headquarters are safe havens.  

Illinois' Safe Haven law was written to provide a safe alternative to abandonment for Illinois parents who feel they cannot cope with a newborn baby. It offers safe havens for newborns.

Under Illinois’ Safe Haven law, parents may relinquish an unharmed newborn, 30-days-old or younger, to personnel at hospitals, emergency medical care facilities, police or fire stations.  Parents may give up their child anonymously and without fear of prosecution for abandonment.

“I think the Safe Haven law is a great idea,” stated District 11 Commander, Captain Brad Parsons.  “I would much rather have a Trooper spend his or her shift caring for a newborn baby safely dropped off at our headquarters, then have a Trooper find a newborn baby abandoned and fighting to survive,” he continued.

If a parent relinquishes a baby to any safe haven location the parent is free to leave.  The parent does not have to give a name or answer any questions.  No one will try to stop or follow the parent.

Relinquished babies will be taken to the nearest hospital. The baby will receive a health exam, any needed medical care, and be adopted by a loving family.

For more information on the Safe Haven law, you can go to www.saveabandonedbabies.org.

Locations that are considered safe havens will display the attached sign.




# # #

One Driving Fatality is One too Many and the Illinois State Police is Committed to Driving Zero Fatalities a Reality
www.isp.state.il.us  /  TDD: 1-800-255-3323        

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Media Release - December OREP

(See attached file: MediaRelease Dec OREP .pdf)

M/Sgt. William White #3962
Illinois State Police
District 11 Collinsville
Office (618) 346-3627
Cell (618) 401-7044

Media Release -December ACE Detail

(See attached file: Media Release ACE.pdf)

M/Sgt. William White #3962
Illinois State Police
District 11 Collinsville
Office (618) 346-3627
Cell (618) 401-7044

Thursday, December 15, 2011

Drunk Driver Traveling 11 Miles the Wrong Way on Edens Expressway Arrested by Illinois State Police

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact:
Monique Bond
December 15, 2011
217-782-6637

www.isp.state.il.us

TDD: 1-800-255-3323

ILLINOIS STATE POLICE CHARGE DRUNK DRIVER TRAVELING 11 MILES THE WRONG WAY
ON THE EDENS EXPRESSWAY

Officials Warn the Motoring Public About the Dangers of Drinking and
Driving During the Holiday Season

Chicago – Illinois State Police are signaling another urgent warning to the
motoring public to celebrate responsibly after a male driver was traveling
the wrong way on the Edens Expressway for approximately 11 miles and 10
minutes.

The driver, Sergio Galez- Delira, 24 of Glenview, was driving a Black 2001
Mitsubishi SUV at approximately 2:30 a.m. Thursday morning when he was
observed driving the wrong way on I-94 northbound Elston, until he was
stopped by Glencoe Police at Tower Road.

Illinois State Police Master Sergeant Joseph Stangl had no recollection of
a motorist driving under the influence for this length of distance and
time, and attributed the time and light traffic on the expressway for
preventing a major fatal tragedy.

Numerous calls of a wrong way driver on the northbound lanes of I-94 near
Elston were received describing an SUV traveling northbound in the
southbound lanes of the Edens Expressway. Illinois State Police dispatched
several cars in an attempt to curb the vehicle.

"The driver managed to avoid striking any other vehicles, but this could
have turned into a horrific tragedy based on one driver's decision to get
behind the wheel while intoxicated," said ISP Master Sergeant Joseph
Stangl. "Several callers reported they were nearly sideswiped by other
drivers, and they were fearful of how to gain control of their vehicles,"
he added.

Galez-Delira was arrested for DUI and charged with DUI, Reckless Driving,
Open Alcohol, No Insurance and Improper Lane Usage.
###

Driving Zero Fatalities to Reality

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Illinois State Police - Press Release



ILLINOIS STATE POLICE
Hiram Grau - Director
NEWS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT
Date:  December 14, 2011
Trooper Mike Link
Time:  6:53 a.m.
618.346.3524 - Office
618.973.3050 - Cell
mike.link@isp.state.il.us


ILLINOIS STATE POLICE ANNOUNCES UPCOMING ROADSIDE SAFETY CHECKS.

       
COLLINSVILLE, IL - Captain B. Parsons, District 11 Commander, announced today that the Illinois State Police may conduct Roadside Safety Checks (R.S.C) in the Metro-East area, St. Clair, Madison, Monroe, Bond, and Clinton counties, during the month of January.
 
A roadside safety check is an effective tool for generating voluntary compliance by the motoring public.  The potential to come across these checks encourages motorists to arrange designated drivers, keep their consumption of alcohol within the allowable limits, or not drive a motor vehicle after drinking.  Safety checks are designed to keep our roads safe by taking dangerous DUI offenders off the road.

Across the country, an average of one alcohol-related traffic death occurs every 45 minutes.   Alcohol and drug impairment are significant factors in over 40 percent of all fatal motor vehicle crashes in Illinois.  Each year in Illinois, hundreds of lives are lost in alcohol-related crashes.  Don’t risk losing your license, your car, and your freedom.  If you drive impaired, law enforcement will arrest you.  

Officers working the R.S.C. will also be watchful for drivers who are operating vehicles in an unsafe manner, driving with a suspended or revoked driver’s license, and transporting open alcoholic beverages.

This Roadside Safety Check is funded through a grant from the United States Department of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.  The grant is administered by the Illinois Department of Transportation, Division of Traffic Safety.



# # #
One Driving Fatality is One too Many and the Illinois State Police is Committed to Driving Zero Fatalities to a Reality
www.isp.state.il.us  /  TDD: 1-800-255-3323        

Saturday, December 10, 2011

ISP District 11 Crash Release

ILLINOIS STATE POLICE
Hiram Grau - Director

Date: 12/09/11
Time: 9:56 PM
Location: I-255 Northbound exit ramp to I-55 westbound
County: Madison
Crash Number: 11-11-03390

Unit 1
Vehicle Description: 2006 Ford Taurus SE
Driver Name: Robin L. Jackson
Gender: Female
Age: 55
City/State of Residence : Cahokia, IL
Seatbelt use: NO
Injuries: Fatal
Taken To: N/A

Narrative:
Unit 1 was travelling I-255 Northbound exit ramp to I-55 westbound. Unit 1
ran off the north side of the roadway striking a chevron and delineator
post. After striking the post unit 1 became overturned and coming to rest
on all 4 wheels. Unit 1 driver was ejected from the vehicle. Unit 1
driver was given medical treatment by witness who stopped after witnessing
the crash. Collinsville Fire and EMS responded to the scene but the
driver's injuries were to extensive. The driver was pronounced dead at
the scene by Madison Co. Deputy Corner.


* The public is reminded that criminal defendants are presumed innocent
until the government is able to prove its charges in court beyond a
reasonable doubt.


###

Friday, December 9, 2011

Illinois State Police - Press Release



ILLINOIS STATE POLICE
Hiram Grau - Director
NEWS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT
Date:  December 9, 2011
Trooper Mike Link
Time:  7:48 a.m.
618.346.3524 - Office
618.973.3050 - Cell
mike.link@isp.state.il.us


Illinois State Police District 11 Announces Monthly Activity for November


COLLINSVILLE, IL – Illinois State Police District 11 Commander, Captain B. Parsons, has announced District 11 enforcement figures and activity for November 2011.

Illinois State Police District 11 Troopers issued 1,843 citations, 1040 written warnings, and made 119 criminal arrests during the month of November.  Speeding accounted for 714 citations and 317 citations were issued for occupant restraint violations.

Troopers investigated 318 traffic crashes, assisted 559 motorists, and conducted 298 commercial vehicle inspections, 37 of which were placed out-of-service for safety reasons.  There were 47 arrests made for driving under the influence and 83 other citations issued for alcohol related violations.

According to the National Safety Council the major contributing factors to motor-vehicle deaths in the United States are lack of occupant protection, alcohol, speeding, young drivers, distractions, and large trucks.  

In an effort to reduce fatalities, the Illinois State Police uses enforcement activities and educational programs to fight these major contributing factors.



# # #
One Driving Fatality is One too Many and the Illinois State Police is Committed to Driving Zero Fatalities to a Reality

Thursday, December 8, 2011

FOID Ruling News Release

(See attached file: FOID Ruling FINAL.doc)


S/A Matt Boerwinkle
Public Information Office
801 S. 7th St., Suite 1000A
PO Box 19641
Springfield, IL 62794-9461
(217) 782-6637


CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This e-mail may contain confidential law
enforcement and/or legally privileged information. It is solely for the
use of the intended recipient(s). Unauthorized use or disclosure is
prohibited and may violate applicable laws. If you are not the intended
recipient, please notify the sender and destroy all copies of the e-mail.

Thursday, December 1, 2011

Media Release - November STEP Patrols

(See attached file: Media Release Nov STEP.pdf)

M/Sgt. William White #3962
Illinois State Police
District 11 Collinsville
Office (618) 346-3627
Cell (618) 401-7044

Media Release - November NITE Patrols

(See attached file: Media Release NITE11 .pdf)

M/Sgt. William White #3962
Illinois State Police
District 11 Collinsville
Office (618) 346-3627
Cell (618) 401-7044