A recent sober-boating awareness and enforcement campaign by the Lake County Sheriff’s Office resulted in two arrests for operating a watercraft under the influence of alcohol and several citations and warnings.
The sheriff’s Marine Unit participated from June 29 through July 1 in Operation Dry Water, a national initiative coordinated by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators, in partnership with the U.S. Coast Guard and local, state and federal law enforcement agencies.
With the summer starting off with a heat wave, timing of the operation was pretty good locally, where the Marine Unit patrols the Chain O’ Lakes in Lake County.
Sheriff Mark Curran said he believes the message was sent to area boaters on the chain, which at times in the past has resembled a floating bar when the summer heats up.
“Word is out that operating a boat under the influence leads to deadly consequences. Whether you’re boating, swimming, tubing, or waterskiing, our Marine Unit is on the waterways to ensure everyone can enjoy our Lake County waterways,” Curran said.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, the Marine unit made scores of traffic stops during the campaign, and conducted 38 boat inspections.
Deputies made two operating under the influence arrests, issued 17 other citations and gave out 25 warnings. There were also three local boating accidents reported during the campaign time period.
Curran said his office wants to remind boaters that alcohol use is the leading contributing factor in recreational boating accidents. He said raising awareness about the dangers and consequences of impaired recreational boating is as important as the enforcement component of the operation.
Prescription drug disposal event
The Round Lake Park Police Department in cooperation with the Grayslake Fire Protection District will conduct a prescription drug take back/ disposal event July 21 from 10 a.m. to noon.
The event will be held at Grayslake Fire Station 3, 22405 W. Behm Road in Round Lake Park.
All residents are encouraged to take advantage of the opportunity to safely dispose of unused or expired prescription drugs.
No sharp objects will be accepted.
Telephone scammers?
The sheriff’s office is warning residents that it does not solicit telephone donations from the public.
According to a recent news release, the sheriff’s office continues to receive “numerous calls from the public” reporting telemarketers who are saying they are soliciting donations on behalf of law enforcement organizations. The most recent callers are stating that telemarketers are seeking $125 to $2,000 in exchange for a license plate frame, officials said.
The calls have not been approved by the office, authorities said, and residents wishing to report such calls may contact the sheriff’s Criminal Investigations Division at 847-377-4250.
Sheriff’s officials said they are working with the Illinois Attorney General’s Office on the matter.
Electronic court filing
Requirements for filing civil case documents have changed this year in Lake County Circuit Court due to new state laws and an Illinois Supreme Court ruling.
Since Jan. 1, electronic filing has been mandatory for all civil cases, according to the Lake County Circuit Clerk’s Office, and as of July 1, all documents related to civil cases must be e-filed.
Since January, attorneys and the public have been required to submit civil filings through any of the Electronic Filing Service Providers (EFSPs) certified by the state.
While each service provides support for its systems, the Circuit Clerk’s Office has also published a number of informational tools for filers on its website, www.lakecountycircuitclerk.org. In addition, the office has established a dedicated e-filing support line to assist filers with any questions or issues they may have at 847-377-3368.
As of July 1, based on an amended Illinois Supreme Court rule, “e-filing is now mandatory for documents in civil cases with limited exemptions.”
Circuit Court Clerk Erin Cartwright Weinstein said exceptions include mental health and juvenile cases.
To e-file, you must create an account with an e-filing service provider. Residents may visit efile.illinoiscourts.gov/service-providers.htm to learn more and select a service provider. Those with questions or needing additional help should visit www.illinoiscourts.gov/FAQ/gethelp.asp.
Weinstein said the Circuit Court is in the process of updating the summons forms provided on the circuit clerk’s website. Once they have been updated, those who have filed since the new requirements went into effect will need to modify the forms to include the new language.
Cartwright said residents with questions about the new summons requirements can contact her office at 847-377-3380.
