Editorial: Repeated cases demonstrate need for vigilance in DUI fight
Society's battle against drunken driving was born in the 1980s.
Mothers Against Drunk Drivers or MADD was founded in 1980 and changed its name and its focus to Mothers Against Drunk Driving in 1984.
At around the same time, in 1982, Christopher Clingingsmith, now of Rolling Meadows, received his first DUI conviction. Since then, he's received 14 more convictions - a span of 36 years that includes arrests in 10 Illinois counties.
In total, according to a story by Daily Herald legal affairs writer Barbara Vitello this week, Clingingsmith, 52, has spent 15 years, five months and eight days in custody for sentences that ranged from one to seven years.
And yet today he faces Class X felony charges, which carry a maximum sentence of up to 30 years in prison upon conviction.
The DUI category for Class X felonies was created for people like Clingingsmith - those with six or more felony DUI convictions.
Put in place in 2006, it's clear that the law is needed when you see a case like this. And it's clear that despite decades of stories about tragedies caused by drunken driving, public service announcements on how to stop it, creation of new technologies like breath-alcohol ignition interlock devices, and well-publicized sobriety checkpoints by local police, the battle against DUI is still one that must continue unabated.
"It's not a question of education anymore," said Rita Kreslin, executive director of Alliance Against Intoxicated Motorists, a Schaumburg-based victims advocacy organization. "The general public gets it and know that the smart and safe thing to do is call a cab or get an Uber."
But repeat offenders like Clingingsmith clearly have an addiction. They need help. But they also need to face the consequences of their actions.
"Many have gone to prison, come out and they still get behind the wheel of a car," Kreslin said.
"People who have a sickness like addiction don't have regard for their own life, let alone someone else's life."
Clingingsmith's attorney says he's been in treatment for alcohol abuse. We hope it's successful, of course. But we also are a fan of Cook County Judge Marc Martin, who once he heard the entirety of Clingingsmith's record, revoked the suspect's bail and is keeping him off the streets, which has to be the ultimate goal.