Trooper Talk

Law Enforcement Military Service

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 13:11:58 -0600

Just want to take this chance at honoring the service you give and too all the troopers in the state. Thank you for all that you do and stand for. means alot to the citizens to have a dedicated group of men and women to be serving the state and enforcing our laws so that we all be safe and protected. God bless you all.
There is one question I would like to ask. Are any of the state troopers in the reserves and does this situation impact our state troopers in going into active duty?
P.S. The badge does not make you look good, You make the badge look good!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Traffic Problems

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 13:04:15 -0600

I have been living in St.Charles for less than two years on a "back road"
that runs parallel to a busy North-South road. For whatever reason, more and
more people are finding this "short cut" and speeding down our small road.
Some speed, some disobey no-passing laws and some even ignore stop signs.
Many are younger-looking people and many are huge gravel or dirt trucks. It
poses a great danger to play around with these drivers and a lower speed
limit may deter some of them to take this route. In the short time I've
lived here, there have been at least three deaths from people treating this
street as a highway. My question to you would be HOW can a group of
neighbors, backed with signed petitions or whatever, arm ourselves to fight
for a lower speed limit and more patrolling by the local county sheriffs?

Thanks for your time and thanks for a very interesting column.

-Ed, Unincorporated St.Charles resident

ISP Rollover demonstrator

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 12:58:01 -0600

Okay..I give. What is that strange looking S.O.I. vehicle parked at the
District 5 Station? A truck on stilts, on a boat trailer? I'm assuming it
may be some sort of training devise.

THANKS, Chuck

Law Enforcement Training

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 12:54:37 -0600

I want to go through the training to become a police officer. Where can I
get information on training? I am a 19 year old female in my 2nd year of
college. Please help!
-GAP

Breath Alcohol Instruments

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 12:50:08 -0600

I just came across your panel while searching the net for the clear tail
light lens laws. I am very impressed with your discussions. I think each
state should have a web based Q & A board for these types of questions. My
question is simple. We have a friend that got a DUI a month ago and he blew
some outrageous amount in the test. As we were discussing it, someone said
that it was possible for someone to blow a larger BAC if they just finished
drinking a few beers - like the alcohol percentage inside the mouth and
throat is relatively high. I know you can refuse the test, but then you are
placed under arrest in most states. If someone is stopped and suspected for
alcohol, can he/she wave the breathalyzer for a blood test instead for
accuracy?
Thanks, Steven

Children riding on motorcycles

Mon, 09 Jun 2008 15:19:08 -0600

Hello,

My name is Joshua. I was pulled over tonight on my motorcycle because I had my daughter on the back in (central) IL. She is 6 years old. She had a helmet and glasses on. She is also tall enough for her feet to touch the foot pegs. He told me that kids under 16 are not allowed on motorcycles. I referred him to your article from July 29, 2006 and he told me that that was one opinion of the law. He didn't give me a ticket, but I wanted to know if you had the state code for motorcycles that states no age restrictions in Illinois.

--I have an update of my situation. The commanding offficer agreeded with the police officer that pulled me over. I had found the state code of 625 IlCS 5/12 that states that motorcycles are exempt from saftey belts. After looking it up he agreed with that. Then he was saying that kids 8 and under couldn't ride because of the Child Saftey Restraint law. I thought that motorcycles were exempt from that law also, but I can't find where it says that. Is motorcycles exempt from that law, and if so where does it say that.

Thank you for your time,

Joshua

Scott's Law

Fri, 06 Jun 2008 14:40:09 -0600

Hello Trooper Ness,
I have a question for. Is there such a law called Scott's law? I received an email about this subject and am curious as to whether this law exists or not. The following is is the email I received.

Thank you in advance,
Ed

No Seat Belt under age 16

Fri, 06 Jun 2008 14:38:09 -0600

This morning on the way to school My friends mom pulled up to an intersection where three squads cars were waiting. I was sitting in the back seat and i did not have my seat belt on at the time. I am 15 years old and the officer continued to write me a ticket and said that i must appear in court with my parents. When i got to school i did some research on the law and from what i interpredid the law as if i am younger than 16 and not sitting in the front passenger seat than i am not responsible. I was wondering if the officer was mistaken or i misinterpreted the law.

please respond
kevin

Window Tint consequences

Fri, 06 Jun 2008 14:17:23 -0600

Hi Sgt Ness,
Are tinted driver and passenger side windows considered a moving violation in Illinois? Another words would my licence be suspended if I get citation for it, if I already have two convictions on my record? Thank you!
Peter

Crashes and fault determination

Fri, 06 Jun 2008 11:44:04 -0600

I was in a car accident on I 90 yesterday. A lady was changing lanes and she side swiped my car at highway speeds. Anyway the ISP investigated the accident and no traffic citations were issued. The Illinois State Trooper said that he could not determine who was at fault in the accident because both stories seem plausible. I said she hit me and she said that I hit her. I think its very clear from the damage to my car who was at fault. I was wondering what happens in cases like this? In the past I was in accidents where it was very clear who was at fault. I was rear ended and the other person paid to fix the car and I rear ended someone and I paid for the accident. I was also hit when I was driving my moms van and it was the other persons fault. I also heard that the ISP is not very big on giving out tickets for car accidents and I do not know if that was true are not. To sum everything up do you know what is the result for accidents like this or would I have to talk to my claim rep about this?
Thanks
Jim

Funeral Processions

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 14:43:34 -0600

Dear Randy,

What does the law say about funerals going through stop signs and also what about when the light on the highway changes when they are 1/2 way through the light? Are the second 1/2 to keep going or break up the procession?

Bob

Lake Shore Drive - No Trailers

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 14:03:28 -0600

Officer Ness--I understand the rule about truck traffic on Lake Shore Drive in Chicago. Are passenger vehicles pulling covered trailers acceptable?

Thanks very much for your reply.

Out Of State No Front Plate Chicago Parking Ticket

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 13:56:51 -0600

Greetings,
I recently received a $50 parking ticket from the City of Chicago for not having a front plate. I take issue with this only because I live in Michigan where they only require one plate (since the 1970s). I was only visiting Chicago and parked on a street in the Lakeview area. My car is registered in Michigan, I carry MI no-fault insurance, my plates are MI, my driver's license is MI, and my permanent address is in MI. I can't even get two plates in MI anymore. Can I really be ticketed for not complying with an Chicago municipal law?

Thanks, Dave

Window Tint for Medical Reasons

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 11:27:36 -0600

If someone has been diagnosed with Lupus (A condition requiring
diligent protection from the sun) Can that person legally tint his or
her windows?

-Thanks

Dave

Getting Driver's License back after bond

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 11:19:01 -0600

How do I get my dl back quicker?

Michael