Key Findings & Observations
The global pandemic continued to present challenges which impacted the day-to-day business of monitoring DUI cases in Illinois. In 2021, more courthouses had opened to the public than the previous year, but overall, access was still limited. Technology, including Zoom increased the ability to observe courtroom activities when being physically present wasn’t an option. In addition, monitors worked diligently to track cases remotely through datamining efforts and gathering case information through online databases. It is important to note that several counties did experience delays in either updating case information to their online databases or in their overall case progression.
Based on the case information collected and tracked by MADD court monitors, general observations include:
Only 54% of all cases monitored by MADD in 2021 had been adjudicated with a guilty conviction in comparison to a 70% conviction rate of all cases monitored by MADD in 2020. The largest group of offenders were representative of the 21-29 age group which is consistent with findings in 2020
Approximately 5% of offenders were aged 20 and under in both 2020 and 2021. MADD monitored more cases involving repeat offenders in 2021 vs. 2020. MADD monitored 786 cases that involved crashes in 2021 compared to 221 in 2020
Call to Action
In Illinois, the penalty for DUI resulting in the death of another is 3 to 14 years in prison. This is an affront to the victim’s surviving family members. A clear message must be sent that the crime of DUI will be met with serious consequences. We would like a review to commence as to what a more appropriate sentence would look like. We would like to see more DREs (Drug Recognition Experts) across the state. This is imperative since recreational marijuana is now legal and other drugs are becoming more prevalent in our state. We would like the current two-hour time limit imposed on the collection of evidentiary samples in relation to Marijuana-related DUI cases to be reviewed. It is currently set at a two-hour time window. This can lead to significant issues if the arrestee fails to cooperate, and a warrant is needed. We would like to see this process made more practical so that justice can be served. IF YOU OR A LOVED ONE HAS BEEN AFFECTED BY DRUNK OR DRUG-IMPAIRED DRIVING, MADD IS HERE TO HELP. CALL OUR VICTIM/SURVIVOR 24-HOUR HELPLINE AT 877-MADD-HELP (877-623-3435).
(1) Richard, C. M., Magee, K., Bacon-Abdelmoteleb, P., & Brown, J. L. (2018, April). Countermeasures that work: A highway safety countermeasure guide for State Highway Safety Offices, Ninth edition (Report No. DOT HS 812 478). Washington, DC: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
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