MADISON COUNTY – The Madison County Sheriff’s Office started an Independence Day traffic enforcement campaign in the county on June 19, 2026, and it runs through July 6, 2026, targeting impaired drivers and seat belt law violators as part of a broader statewide effort.
The enforcement campaign will cover three summer weekends leading up to and after the Fourth of July holiday, according to the sheriff’s office. The agency said it will join the Illinois State Police and more than 200 local police and sheriff’s departments in the increased enforcement effort.
“We’re asking all of our residents and visitors to celebrate Independence Day safely,” said Captain Matt Werner. “It’s simple: If you’re driving, don’t drink or use drugs. Our deputies will be out in full force to keep impaired drivers off the road.”
The sheriff’s office said the enforcement will focus on impaired and unbuckled drivers. “This Fourth of July, designate a sober driver and don’t let friends or family members drive under the influence,” Werner said.
The Madison County Sheriff’s Office urged people to give their designated driver their keys before going out. It said anyone drunk or impaired by cannabis or other drugs should call a taxi, take mass transit, use a ride-sharing service, or call a sober friend or family member for a safe ride home.
The sheriff’s office also encouraged the public to report suspected drunk drivers by pulling over and dialing 911. It said everyone in a vehicle should wear a seat belt, calling it both a legal requirement and a key defense against an impaired driver. The Illinois Independence Day enforcement campaign is funded with federal highway safety dollars administered by the Illinois Department of Transportation and supported by the Illinois State Police and local law enforcement agencies statewide.
