No-Refusal Anti-DUI Initiative Held St. Paddy's Day Weekend

KANE COUNTY, IL — The Kane County State's Attorney's Office and local police agencies will take part in an impaired driving abatement initiative.

The initiative will begin at 11 p.m. on Saturday and continue through 3 a.m. on Sunday, according to a news release from the Kane County State's Attorney's Office.

The initiative, called a no-refusal operation, is designed to assist police efforts to obtain a search
warrant for individuals who refuse to submit to chemical testing after a DUI arrest. Kane County
Assistant State’s attorneys will be on hand to assist police officers through the search warrant 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 held that a person has no right to refuse chemical testing when probable cause exists, according to the news release.

Anyone who declines to submit to chemical testing after being presented with a search warrant should expect to face additional charges.

“When a person decides to drink to excess and get behind the wheel of a car, it places everyone at risk. People will 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," said Kane County State's Attorney Jamie Mosser. "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. I hope they all get home safe.”

The operation will be the 36th no-refusal since the Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office began the program in 2008.