Kane County Police, Prosecutors Crack Down on Drunken Drivers on St. Patrick's Day

Kane County police agencies will work with the Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office on a no-refusal operation this St. Patrick’s Day with the hopes of having no drunken driving arrests over the holiday, which is Thursday.

“My goal is to have zero DUIs on a night we do a No-Refusal. Although that hasn’t happened yet, maybe the luck of the Irish will strike,” said Kane County State's Attorney McMahon.

The initiative is designed to expedite police efforts to obtain a search warrant for individuals who refuse to submit to chemical testing after a DUI arrest, according to a state's attorney's office press release. Assistant state’s attorneys are on hand to assist police officers through the search warrant process with the goal of having the suspect submit to a lawfully requested blood, breath or urine test as required by Illinois’ Implied Consent statute.

Illinois courts have consistently held that there is no right to refuse chemical testing when probable cause exists. Anyone who declines to submit to chemical testing after a search warrant has been obtained could face additional charges, according to the news release.

The operation Thursday will be the 20th no-refusal operation since the Kane County State's Attorney's Office began the program in 2009. In the 19 prior No-Refusals, 131 drivers have been charged. Most have pleaded guilty to DUI although many cases are pending, according to the news release. 

It will be the sixth No-Refusal held in conjunction with St. Patrick’s Day. Others were in 2009, 2012 and 2013, 2014 and 2015. A total of 40 drivers have been charged with DUI or DUI-related offenses in St. Patrick’s Day operations.