The records below were downloaded from the circuit clerk's website,
located at:
https://secure.jtsmith.com/clerk/clerk.asp
The vehicle is listed as "95 MCI WHITE", meaning it is a white 1995 MCI
bus. The driver is known to be (have been?) a LEX / Illini Express /
Lincolnland Express driver. In fact, he's pictured with the owner of LEX
standing in front of a LEX bus in a News-Gazette article which appeared in
early 2005.
The court record seems to indicate that the driver was ticketed for:
01 CONSUMING/POSSESSING INTOX LIQ
01 DRVG UNDER INFLU OF ALCOHOL
02 DRVG UNDER INFLU/BAC 0.08
If we're interpreting this correctly, it appears that a LEX / Illini
Express / Lincolnland Express driver was arrested for driving a LEX /
Illini Express / Lincolnland Express bus while drinking or possessing
intoxicating liq, while under the influence of alcohol, and driving with a
blood alcohol level of .08 or more. That seems like pretty serious stuff.
According to a former LEX / Illini Express / Lincolnland Express employee,
the driver was drinking a mixture of orange juice and gin or vodka from a
flask while driving. We were told that passengers on the bus called police
to complain that the driver was driving badly, and that State Police
pulled the bus over and handcuffed and arrested the driver. We have not
verified the story, but the court records below do not seem inconsistent
with such a story.
We're not advocating any particular course of action. You're free to
choose whichever bus company you think best suits your needs. If finding
the lowest fare around is important to you, then LEX / Illini Express /
Lincolnland Express may be for you.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Case #06DT00410
Defendant Plaintiff
G*** DAVID L
**** ELLIS DR
URBANA IL 61801
STATE OF ILLINOIS
Arresting Agency: STATE POLICE
Officer Number: 04861
Officer Name: INGRAM
Plate Number: P540934
Registration State: IL
Registration Year: 07
Car Information: 95 MCI WHITE (LEX BUS)
Location: I 57 SB MP 246
FEES & FINES INFORMATION as of 1/11/2007 10:02:14 PM
ORDERED DESCRIPTION PAID BALANCE
10.00 BOND FEE .00 10.00
5.00 DOCUMENT STORAGE FEE .00 5.00
10.00 STS ATTY .00 10.00
30.00 DUI/CO ORD/30 FEE .00 30.00
25.00 COURT SECURITY FEE .00 25.00
.00 VIOLENT CRIME VICTIM .00 .00
.00 SUR CHARGE-OLD 8/40 .00 .00
.00 LEADS MAINT FUND .00 .00
.00 DR ED FUND .00 .00
.00 DR ED FUND .00 .00
RECEIPT HISTORY INFORMATION as of 1/11/2007 10:02:14 PM
RECEIPT # DESCRIPTION AMOUNT DATE PAID
942827 TRAFFIC BONDS 100.00 6/19/06
CHARGES INFORMATION as of 1/11/2007 10:02:12 PM
Count Description
01 DRVG UNDER INFLU OF ALCOHOL
02 DRVG UNDER INFLU/BAC 0.08
06-20-06 FILED
APPEARC DATE 07/10/2006 09:00
DL POSTED
MUST APPEAR 07/10/2006 09:00
FILED
APPEARC DATE 07/10/2006 09:00
MUST APPEAR 07/10/2006 09:00
06-21-06 ATT WELCH, HARVEY C
JURY TRIAL REQ 08/21/2006
08-21-06 RPK/JAK/DR People appear by WEBER/KANIS
RPK/JAK/DR Defendant appears with/by WELCH, HARVEY C
RPK/JAK/DR Motion to continue is allowed. Cause continued
RPK/JAK/DR for DOCKET CALL on 9/18/2006 at 1:30 PM
RPK/JAK/DR in Courtroom L.
MTN-AMENDED 09/18/2006 01:30
08-29-06 JURY TRIAL REQ 09/18/2006
09-18-06 RPK/JAK/DR People appear by WEBER/KANIS
RPK/JAK/DR Defendant appears with/by WELCH, HARVEY C
RPK/JAK/DR Cause continued for PLEA/PRE-TRIAL on 10/03/2006
RPK/JAK/DR at 3:30 PM in Courtroom L. Defendant ordered
RPK/JAK/DR to appear.
CNT FOR PLEA10/03/2006 03:30
10-03-06 RPK/JAK People appear by C.Kanis.
RPK/JAK Deft appears with H.Welch
RPK/JAK With no objection, cause re-allotted
RPK/JAK to the DOCKET CALL of 11/20/06 at 1:30 PM in
RPK/JAK Courtroom L. Bond to continue.
10-04-06 CNT -FRM C 11/20/2006 01:30 L
JURY TRIAL REQ 11/20/2006
11-20-06 RPK/JAK People appear by WEBER/KANIS
RPK/JAK Defendant appears with/by WELCH, HARVEY C
RPK/JAK People and Defendant announce ready for trial.
RPK/JAK Cause allotted for JURY TRIAL on 12/01/2006, at
RPK/JAK 1:00 PM in Courtroom L. DEFT. ADVISED OF RIGHT
RPK/JAK TO TRIAL AND SENTENCING IN ABSENTIA.
JURY TRL SET12/01/2006 01:00
12-01-06 RPK/JAK People appear by C. Kanis.
RPK/JAK Deft. appears by H.WELCH
RPK/JAK Cause allotted for JURY TRIAL CALL on 01/11/07 at
RPK/JAK 1:00 PM in Courtroom L.
RPK/JAK
12-04-06 CNT -FRM C 01/11/2007 09:00 L
CNT -FRM C 01/11/2007 09:00 L
12-07-06 COURT NOTATION IN DOCKET
12-08-06 JRY TRL SC 01/11/2007 01:00 L
01-11-07 RPK/JAK People appear by S.Weber Deft. appears with
RPK/JAK H.WELCH Deft. tenders a plea of guilty to
RPK/JAK the charge in this matter. Written Order on Guilty
RPK/JAK Plea entered. SEE ORDER. Cause continued for
RPK/JAK Sentencing on 03/05/07 at 3:15 PM in
RPK/JAK Courtroom L. Deft. ordered to report to Court
RPK/JAK Services Dept. to make arrangements for
RPK/JAK preparation of a pre-sentence report for
RPK/JAK sentencing hearing. Deft. further ordered to
RPK/JAK contact an agency licensed by the State of
RPK/JAK Illinois to make arrangements for preparation of a
RPK/JAK substance abuse evaluation for sentencing.
RPK/JAK Evaluation to be on file at least 3 days prior to
RPK/JAK said hearing. Written Order for Sentencing Report
RPK/JAK entered. SEE ORDER. Bond to continue. DEFT. IS
RPK/JAK ADMONISHED AS TO THE POSSIBILITY OF SENTENCING IN
RPK/JAK ABSENTIA.
CNT -FRM C 03/05/2007 03:15 L
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Case 06TR15395
Defendant
Plaintiff
G*** DAVID L
**** ELLIS DR
URBANA IL 61801
STATE OF ILLINOIS
Information:
File Date: 06/20/06
Court Room:
Next Appearance: 07/10/06 09:00
Offense Date: 06/17/06
Arresting Agency: STATE POLICE
Officer Number: 04861
Officer Name: INGRAM
Plate Number: P540934
Registration State: IL
Registration Year: 07
Car Information: 95 MCI WHITE
Location: I 57 SB MP 246
FEES & FINES INFORMATION
as of 8/21/2006 10:02:46 PM
ORDERED DESCRIPTION PAID BALANCE
25.14 COUNTY OF 38.675% .00 25.14
5.00 AUTOMATION FEE .00 5.00
5.00 DOCUMENT STORAGE FEE .00 5.00
10.94 STATE OF 16.825% .00 10.94
28.92 STATE POLICE .00 28.92
RECEIPT HISTORY INFORMATION
as of 8/21/2006 10:02:46 PM
RECEIPT # DESCRIPTION AMOUNT DATE PAID
CHARGES INFORMATION
as of 8/21/2006 10:02:44 PM
Count Description
01 CONSUMING/POSSESSING INTOX LIQ
DOCKET INFORMATION
as of 8/21/2006 10:02:42 PM
06-20-06 FILED
APPEARC DATE 07/10/2006 09:00
06-21-06 ATT WELCH, HARVEY C
JURY TRIAL REQ 08/21/2006