Who is responsible for enforcing traffic laws in Illinois?

The responsibility for enforcing traffic laws in Illinois primarily falls to local police departments and the Illinois State Police. Local police enforce laws in their specific jurisdictions, handling everything from minor infractions to serious violations. The Illinois State Police provides enforcement on state highways and interstates, ensuring that traffic laws are uniformly applied across the state. This tiered approach allows for effective enforcement at both local and state levels, addressing the diverse needs of different communities and road systems.

While federal law enforcement agencies focus on overall national law enforcement issues and transportation security, and state transportation officials deal with the planning and operation of transportation systems rather than direct law enforcement, their roles do not include the actual enforcement of traffic laws. Private security companies may manage certain private properties or events but do not have the authority to enforce state traffic laws. Thus, local police and the Illinois State Police are the recognized authorities for traffic law enforcement in Illinois.