Major Illinois Interstate Sweep Leads to 17 Felony Charges

Illinois State Police just completed a sudden crackdown covering multiple interstates across the state resulting in hundreds of warnings, a vehicle seized and 17 felony charges among other things.

The Illinois State Police completed a 4-day interstate sting operation October 6 - October 9, 2025

The Public Information Office of the Illinois State Police says the focus of this 4-day violent crime suppression was I-70, I-55 and I-64 in Bond, Clinton, Madison and St. Clair counties. Here are the numbers shared from that operation:

• Written Warnings 177
• Citations 7
• Commercial Motor Vehicles Inspected 90
• Arrests 5
• Felonies 17
• Stolen Firearms Recovered 1
• Vehicles Seized 1

The Illinois State Police say one stop near Baden resulted in cannabis, methamphetamine, and a stolen firearm being seized. They also added that this operation from October 6 through October 9 was a coordinated effort including Troops 3, 7 and 8, assisted ISP Statewide Highway Interdiction Team along with the Metropolitan Enforcement Group of Southern Illinois and the South-Central Illinois Drug Task Force.

Why did the Illinois State Police execute this 4-day interstate sweep?

The Illinois State Police said operations like the one just completed focus on "traffic safety, reducing fatalities, and the apprehension of individuals utilizing the highway systems in the furtherance of criminal activities". They also added that these types of sweeps will continue to happen as law enforcement authorities work to reduce the use of highways and interstates for criminal activities.