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Although necessary for the greater good, the ‘Shelter in Place’ order imposed by Illinois, among other states, may have unintended effects on many of our clients and others with past drug or alcohol dependency.

The closure of bars, restaurants and other gathering places along with the social distancing recommendation encouraged by the government and media is resulting in a higher degree of isolation. The inability of the average person to socialize with others may result in the onset of anxiety, loneliness and depression. As a consequence, those individuals susceptible to such feelings may attempt to ‘self-medicate’ through the consumption of alcohol or drug-use. These feelings may make it even more difficult for those with pre-existing alcohol or drug problems who are in recovery to avoid relapse.

Recent media reports have indicated that there has been a substantial increase in alcohol and marijuana purchases during the current COVID-19 health crisis. Liquor stores and cannabis dispensaries are both deemed essential businesses and remain open. Bars and restaurants still have the ability to sell alcohol to customers through delivery as well as curbside pick-up.

Under Illinois law, the state’s attorney may petition on behalf of a local law enforcement agency, for the seizure of an automotive vehicle when it is used in the commission of any serious felony crime. Whether the petition is granted is solely in the judge’s discretion. In addition to drug crimes, cars may be seized for DUI, driving on a revoked license based on DUI, gambling and stalking. Of the 126 vehicles seized by the Naperville Police Department between 2012 and 2015, only 26 were involved in drug crimes.

Seized vehicles are typically sold at auction but may be used in undercover operations or training. Auction proceeds go to the police department responsible for the arrest as well as the municipality or county where the arrest occurred. Naperville made almost $170,000 off of the cars seized between 2012 and 2015, with almost $17,000 going to the police department.

Last year alone, DuPage County seized 405 vehicles. So far this year, DuPage has seized 189 vehicles, according to a spokesman for the DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office.

The Illinois tollway announced today that it will offer drivers the ability to check images of license plates and dispute tollway fines online. If you receive a violation notice, there is now a way to verify that it was your vehicle that missed the toll. Illinoistollway.com now has a feature that allows users to determine whether the violation was proper issued.

The Illinois tollway generates violations after three missed tolls in a two-year period. After review, a driver may dispute a mistake citing either “plate incorrect” or “missing image.” The Illinois State Roll Highway Authority will review these disputes and send decisions via email. This procedure saves a considerable amount of time from the old process.

During a test period in March, almost 900 drivers viewed license plate images using the new feature. Forty disputes were filed through the website during this timeframe.

A Wood Dale man was sentenced to nine years in prison for DUI crash that killed two friends. Erik C. Ecker was allegedly driving under the influence when he overturned his Jeep and crashed into a guard rail on I-355. The Jeep caught fire and Anthony Ishu and Cynthia Botello were trapped inside. Ecker managed to pull is girlfriend out of the car but could not rescue his friends in the back seat. Witnesses report that he was traveling at speeds over 100mph at the time of the crash. His BAC level was an alleged .147. Ecker must serve eighty-five percent of his sentence before his is eligible for parole. He has a prior 2004 DUI arrest which was amended to reckless driving.

9 years for Wood Dale man in DUI crash that killed two friends, www.dailyherald.com, June 24, 2010