North Chicago, IL – The North Chicago Police Department has been awarded a federal fiscal year 2026 Sustained Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) grant through the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT). Funded by federal highway safety dollars, the grant supports increased traffic safety enforcement efforts aimed at reducing crashes and saving lives.
According to Officer Gary Grayer, the funding will allow police to strengthen enforcement of impaired driving, seat belt, and speeding laws under statewide safety initiatives such as “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over,” “Click It or Ticket,” and “Drive High, Get a DUI.”
“We are grateful for this grant, which allows us to step up enforcement of impaired driving, seat belt, speeding, and other traffic safety laws,” said Chief Lazaro Perez. “Our top priority is the safety of everyone on our roadways, and we will continue holding those who break the law accountable.”
The grant period runs from Oct. 1, 2025, through Sept. 30, 2026. During that time, North Chicago Police will conduct additional enforcement operations, particularly during high-risk travel periods. These patrols will target speeding, impaired driving, distracted driving, and failure to obey traffic signals and seat belt laws.
IDOT’s statewide safety campaigns will emphasize enforcement during holidays and high-traffic weekends, encouraging safer driving habits. The North Chicago Police Department says these efforts are part of its ongoing mission to make Illinois roads safer for all drivers.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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