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…
Chicago DUI Lawyer Blog
Woman Sues Skokie Police Alleging Excessive Force During DUI Arrest
A Chicago woman charged with DUI filed a lawsuit Tuesday in U.S. District Court claiming that a Skokie Police Officer used excessive force during her arrest. According to police reports, Cassandra Feuerstein, 47, was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol after she was found parked in the middle…
Cook County Judge Reverses Herself Dismissing Unlawful Use of a Weapon Charge
A Cook County judge reversed herself on Monday, dismissing weapons charges against a Chicago man who had been stopped for speeding and informed the officer that he was carrying a loaded pistol in his holster. The defendant possessed a valid FOID card. This decision came after the recent Illinois Supreme…
Lack of Support for Lowering Legal Limit for DUI to .05
Since the NTSB recommended reducing the legal limit to 0.05 in May, debate has continued but progress has been minimal. While some research has suggested that lowering the legal limit could save 500 to 1,000 lives a year, critics have argued numerous flaws in the recommended reduction. Debate continues to…
Illinois Temporary Visitor Driver’s Licenses for Undocumented Immigrants
In January 2013, Governor Quinn signed Senate Bill 957, allowing undocumented immigrants to receive driver’s licenses in the State of Illinois. Under the new law, aliens who do not have a VISA or Social Security number may be eligible to receive a Temporary Visitor Driver’s License (TVDL) as early as…
Chicago Speed Camera Contract Finalized
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…
Chicago Police Officer Accused of False DUI Arrests
Chicago Police Officer Harold Rodriguez, 46, is facing lawsuits filed by three former DUI defendants for wrongful-arrest. Gregory Sledge, one of the three men making these allegations against Rodriguez, claims he was framed last year for driving under the influence. Rodriguez claimed in his police report that he smelled a…
Party Bus Driver Faces DUI Charges After Driving Teens to Prom
Limo/Party bus driver, Richard Madison, 54, of Palos Hills is charged with DUI after driving 24 students to their high school prom. The teens reportedly witnessed Madison jump a median and cut off three cars before taking the teens to the wrong hotel 5 miles from their actual destination. There…
DUI Suspect Awarded $325,000 After Beating by Chicago Police
Julio Martinez may be awarded $325,000 after sustaining a beating by a Chicago Police officer while handcuffed to a metal bar in a holding room after falsely charged with DUI. Martinez, a hemophiliac, was treated for a possible skull fracture in March 2006 after being beaten by Officer John Haleas.…
Carpentersville Man Sentenced to 8 Years for 9th DUI Conviction
William Reece, 49, of Carpentersville was sentenced Wednesday to eight years in prison for his ninth DUI conviction. According to Kane County officials, he was convicted after pleading guilty to one count of aggravated driving under the influence on March 7th. The DUI was charged as a Class X felony…