The Illinois State Police have apparently backed down on a threat to convoy participants driving through Illinois.
"Illinois State Troopers are dedicated to ensuring the motoring public is safe, including those traveling through Illinois as part of a peaceful protest," Illinois State Police Division of Patrol Col. Margret McGreal said in a statement.
McGreal said the ISP is now working with the convoys to ensure safe travel through the area.
"We are in contact with organizers and anticipate the convoys will enter Illinois and are able to travel safely along with other motorists on our roadways," McGreal said. "We would like to remind the public that if we all work together, obeying traffic laws and sharing the roadways, everyone can make it to their destination safely. We are hopeful those traveling in the convoys have safety in mind and will be cognizant of traffic laws."
That comes in stark contrast to the agency’s previous stance.
A State Police news release a few days earlier had a different tone.
"Though the Illinois State Police respects the rights of citizens to express their opinions in a lawful manner, there is great concern with any event that is designed to impede or block the normal and reasonable movement of traffic," McGreal said in statement. "Traffic backups are a major contributing cause to traffic crashes, which lead to property damage, personal injury and even death."
McGreal warned convoy members of possible criminal charges related to their behavior.
"A planned event designed to impede normal traffic flow is dangerous to the innocent motoring public," McGreal said. "Those who choose to participate in events that intentionally endanger the public and violate Illinois law will be subject to the enforcement of applicable laws and could potentially be held liable for traffic crashes occurring as a result of their actions."
Many of the convoys are taking a mid-Illinois route along Interstate-70.
Along that route, convoys will pass through East St. Louis, Collinsville, Vandalia, Effingham, Teutopolis and other communities along I-70 in St. Clair, Madison, Bond, Fayette, Effingham, Cumberland and Clark counties before entering Indiana, where convoys have been considered by the Indiana State Police as "business as usual."
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