The Chicago Police announced this week that they would be conducting roadside safety checks pertaining to the “stay at home order” issued by Governor JB Pritzker. The “stay at home order” was issued due to the outbreak of the Covid – 19 virus. The “stay at home” order lasts until April 30.
I interpret this as something similar to a DUI checkpoint that police often set up to prevent drinking and driving. DUI checkpoints, which are random stops of vehicles primarily on weekend nights, have been ruled as constitutional as the public safety concern outweighs the 4th amendment search and seizure protections. It seems the Chicago Police are using the same reasoning behing this type of roadside stop as they don’t want people out on the road who don’t need to be.
The Governor’s order provided the following exceptions for essential travel outside of homes:
-Performing essential activities, governmental functions, business and operations
-Caring for elderly, minors, dependents, persons with disabilities or other vulnerable persons
-Receiving materials for distance learning, receiving meals and any other related services from an educational institution.
-Returning to a place of residence from outside of jurisdiction
-Following the direction of law enforcement or court order, including to transport children pursuant to a custody agreement
-Returning to a place of residence outside the state for non-resident
The announcement did not state how long these roadside checks would last or where exactly in the city they would set up. I’d imagine they would set up on busy roadways like Lakeshore Drive and/or busy exits on and off the Eisenhower and Kennedy.
If you or someone you love has been seriously injured in a Chicago car crash or Chicago truck accident, then call Chicago personal injury lawyer, Aaron J. Bryant for a free legal consultation at 312-1614-1076 or go to www.blgchicago.com