Cook County State's Attorney's Office:
Press Releases

Richard A. Devine
Cook County State's Attorney
500 Richard J. Daley Center
Chicago, IL 60602
(312) 603-3423
www.statesattorney.org

A joint operation conducted by the Investigative Bureau of Cook County State's Attorney's Office and the Cook County Sheriff's Department resulted in the arrest of 67 individuals who drove away on revoked or suspended driver's licenses from courthouses following their DUI court appearance.

The offenders were followed from four suburban courthouses as they left court hearings related to pending DUI cases and were witnessed by State's Attorney investigators getting into their cars and driving away. Investigators notified the sheriff's police, who then pulled over and arrested the drivers on new charges of driving on a suspended or revoked license, a Class A misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail and a $2,500 fine.

On Monday 23 offenders were arrested outside the Bridgeview Courthouse, followed by 27 arrests outside the Markham Courthouse Tuesday. On Wednesday 11 arrests were made outside the Rolling Meadows Courthouse, and 6 were made today following stops near the Skokie Courthouse. Upon arrest the vehicles of the offenders were confiscated and impounded.

"The individuals arrested during this effort are habitual traffic violators who have ignored court orders to stop driving," Sheriff Michael F. Sheahan said. "It's time they pay the price for breaking the law and jeopardizing traffic safety."

"As we approach the Labor Day holiday, these arrests are meant to send a clear message that driving without a valid license is as unacceptable," said State's Attorney Richard Devine. "Law enforcement is on heightened alert during this busy and often dangerous time of year to keep those who should not be driving off of our roads."

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