Illinois DUI Lawyer Blawg
Based on close to 700 surveys given to law enforcement agencies throughout the state, the Alliance Against Intoxicated Motorists (AAIM) compiled crucial statistics regarding DUI arrests in Illinois.
AAIM, a non-profit citizens’ action group, was founded in 1982 with the aid of former Secretary of State and former Governor Jim Edgar, who has headed a number of legislative efforts to reduce drunk driving. The survey has been collecting data since 1990 and is funded by a grant from the Illinois Department of Transportation.
AAIM Executive Director Rita Kreslin has said that stricter enforcement of DUI laws and community awareness efforts in Illinois have significantly reduced the annual number of DUI-related deaths. Fatalities peaked, she says, in the 1980s. Since then, she said, with directed efforts and the help of law enforcement agencies, traffic safety advocates and communities have prevented numerous accidents and saved thousands of lives.
AAIM has recently released DUI-related statistics from 2014. From 2013 to 2014, the Illinois State Police reported 37.8% fewer DUI arrests, and Chicago Police Department reported 2.2% fewer arrests. The Secretary State of Police, however, reported six more arrests in 2014 than in 2013.
Several cities had spikes in the number of DUI arrests from 2013, the most significant of which was in Berwyn, a Chicago suburb. The Berwyn Police Department reported a whopping 122% increase from the previous year. Other cities with percentage increases included Chicago Heights (14.6%), Bloomington (6.1%), Cicero (5.4%), Arlington Heights (4.2%), and Elgin (.4%). The city of Decatur had the highest number of DUI arrests in Illinois, but the number had gone down slightly from the previous year. The top five cities with the most DUI arrests were Decatur, Springfield, Naperville, Rockford, and Carol Stream.
Since more populated cities tend to have more DUI arrests, Reboot Illinois used AAIM statistics and U.S. Census data to determine which cities and counties had the most arrests per capita.
The following are the 10 Illinois cities with the most arrests per 1,000 people in 2014:
- Bull Valley – 105.7
- Arrests: 117
- Officers: 6
- Arrests/Officer: 19.5
- Sauget – 65.4
- Arrests: 10
- Officers: 12
- Arrests/officer: .83
- McCook – 64.9
- Arrests: 15
- Officers: 17
- Arrests/officer: .88
- Energy – 54.1
- Arrests: 62
- Officers: 12
- Arrests/officer: 5.17
- North Pekin – 45.7
- Arrests: 73
- Officers: 8
- Arrests/officer: 9.13
- Rosemont – 31.7
- Arrests: 134
- Officers: 79
- Arrests/officer: 1.7
- Southern View – 26.1
- Arrests: 43
- Officers: 6
- Arrests/officer: 7.17
- Bedford Park – 19.1
- Arrests: 11
- Officers: 36
- Arrests/officer: .31
- Cherry Valley – 16.7
- Arrests: 52
- Officers: 17
- Arrests/officer: 3.06
- Schiller Park – 16.5
- Arrests: 196
- Officers: 37
- Arrests/officer: 5.3
The top 10 Illinois counties with the most arrests per capita in 2014 were: (1) Pulaski County, (2) Clark County, (3) Calhoun County, (4) Shelby County, (5) Piatt County, (6) Whiteside County, (7) DeWitt County, (8) Pike County, (9) Franklin County, (10) Moultrie County.
If you have been charged with a DUI crime in Illinois, it is crucial to speak to an experienced Illinois DUI lawyer as soon as possible. Harvatin Law Offices, PC provides knowledgeable representation for those in Springfield and throughout Illinois. We have considerable experience defending individuals charged with DUI offenses. To learn more and to set up a free initial consultation, contact us online or call us at 217.525.0520.
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Illinois Bill Setting Legal Marijuana Limit Awaits Governor’s Signature, Illinois DUI Lawyer Blawg, June 9, 2015.
Dirty DUI Stings Constitutional, Says Federal Court, Illinois DUI Lawyer Blawg, May 11, 2015.
Officer’s Reasonable Mistake of Law Does Not Render Traffic Stop Unconstitutional, Says New York Court, Illinois DUI Lawyer Blawg, May 4, 2015.