Kane County Prosecutors Target Drunk Driving On St. Paddy's Weekend

AURORA, IL — The Kane County State's Attorney's Office will target drunk driving this weekend when many will be out drinking and celebrating St. Patrick's Day.

Known as a "No-Refusal operation," the initiative will start at 11 p.m. Saturday and end at 3 a.m. Sunday.

The initiative is designed to assist police in obtaining search warrants for people who refuse to submit to chemical testing after a DUI arrest. Kane County assistant state's attorneys will help officers through the process to "compel a DUI suspect to submit to a lawfully requested blood, breath or urine test as required by Illinois law."

Illinois courts have previously held that a person has no right to refuse chemical testing when probable cause exists, the Kane County State's Attorney's Office said in a news release.

"When a person decides to drink to excess and get behind the wheel of a car, it places everyone at risk," State's Attorney Jamie Mosser said in a statement. "People will likely be celebrating St. Patrick's Day on Saturday, which unfortunately means that more people are likely to take unnecessary risks. Designated drivers, taxis, Uber and Lyft are excellent alternatives. We partner with police to obtain search warrants so we can get the evidence to prosecute anyone who chooses to compromise public safety. My thanks to all in law enforcement who will be patrolling that night."

The St. Patrick's Day initiative will be the office's 39th since the program began in 2008.