THE IMPACT ON LIVES:
Drunk Busters
More Info
This program runs year round in Boone, DuPage, Grundy, Kane, McHenry,
Lake and Will Counties and statewide at holiday times.
Facts:
Program started in 1990 throughout the entire state of Illinois with a $10,000 donation from an AAIM member.
DB pays $100 to citizens who report an impaired motorist that leads to a DUI arrest.
POLICE MUST OBSERVE DRIVING BEHAVIOR BEFORE MAKING AN ARREST!Citizens have reported drunk drivers from convenience stores, gas stations, even an oil change store;
but the most popular method is via cell phone.Citizen calls police later to see if arrest was made and police fill out verification form and send to AAIM.
Program ran in Southern Wisconsin for two years (5/91-5/93), paying 30 awards.
Program went National for 1 year (5/92-5/93) through State Highway Police. Paid out 51 awards.
In 1993, funds were running out, so program was reduced to Illinois Holidays only.
Funding was requested from individual counties using a state law, which provides that judges,
as a condition of supervision, may sentence offenders to contribute to an anti-crime program.McHenry County program started Memorial Day, 1994. To date, 944 awards have been paid.
DuPage County program started Christmas Eve, 1994. To date, 2,580 awards have been paid through this program.
Lake County program started Christmas Eve, 1995. To date 2,027 awards have been paid.
Will County program started Christmas Eve, 2002. To date, 266 awards have been paid.
Kane County program started January 1, 2008. To date, 327 awards have been paid.
Grundy County program started May, 2013. To date 10 awards has been paid.
Boone County program started October 1, 2014. To date 8 awards have been paid.
TO DATE DRUNKBUSTERS HAS PAID OUT OVER $616,200 RESULTING IN
THE ARREST OF OVER 6,162 IMPAIRED MOTORISTS.
(*- For a time, $100 savings bonds were awarded, at a cost of $50)
Do you want to be a Drunkbuster?
Arresting Police Department submit your report here.
Drunkbusters
DrunkBuster Program: To encourage drivers with cellular phones to report erratic driving to police, AAIM initiated the “Drunkbusters” program in 1990. AAIM gives $100 to tipsters whose calls lead to DUI arrests. More than $616,200 has been paid to over 6,162 tipsters. This life-saving program has been recognized with first place awards from the National Safety Council, Ameritech and the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce. The drunkbuster program is going strong in Boone, DuPage, Grundy, Kane, Lake, McHenry, and Will Counties.
“My goal as Secretary of State is to make the roads of Illinois as safe as possible. Working together, we have initiated tough laws and cutting edge programs that have made Illinois a national leader in the fight against drunk driving. I commend AAIM for their ongoing efforts to rid the road of drunk drivers. By encouraging citizens to report impaired driving incidents to law enforcement, DrunkBusters has helped greatly in the fight to remove drunk drivers from our roadways.”
Jesse White
"AAIM’s 'DrunkBuster' program has helped create a rewarding partnership between the public and the police. This program has made the removal of drunk drivers everyone’s business."
Brian M. Cooper, Traffic Sergeant
Carol Stream, Illinois
2012