Eric Rinehart: Failing to Follow the Law He’s Supposed to Enforce

Lake County State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart Violated Illinois Law by Not Reporting an Accident with his County Issued Vehicle

Rinehart Did Not Report a Highland Park Accident to Law Enforcement that Damaged his Vehicle After it Collided with a Fire Hydrant

Lake County, IL –Lake County State’s Attorney candidate Mary Cole is highlighting a January 12, 2024, vehicle accident involving incumbent State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart. The incident, which occurred in Rinehart’s county-owned vehicle, raises serious concerns about his commitment to upholding the law and adhering to county policies.

State’s Attorney Rinehart was involved in a collision near his home with a Highland Park fire hydrant while driving a vehicle provided by Lake County. Despite the requirements of Illinois law (625 ILCS 5/11-404) and Lake County’s Risk Management policy, Mr. Rinehart failed to file an accident report or notify the proper authorities within Lake County government.

Under Illinois law, it is a Class A misdemeanor to not file an accident report when damaging property belonging to others, including units of government such as the City of Highland Park. Additionally, Lake County policy mandates that any vehicle collision requires an immediate call to 911 to complete a police report, notify the County Administrator, and provide immediate documentation of the damage through photographs. Eric Rinehart neglected to fulfill all of his obligations.

Lake County State’s Attorney Candidate Mary Cole issued the following statement:

“Eric Rinehart is failing to enforce our laws in Lake County, which makes our residents and visitors less safe, and adding insult to injury, he is not even following the laws he is supposed to enforce. This incident underscores the need for accountable leadership in the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office. Mr. Rinehart should immediately go to the City of Highland Park and file a police report as well as explain why for over six months he failed to follow Illinois law.”

The Cole campaign urges the residents of Lake County to consider the implications of having a State’s Attorney who does not adhere to the same legal standards expected of every citizen. As the campaign continues, Mary is committed to focusing on the safety of our neighborhoods, ensuring that violent offenders actually stay behind bars, and fighting back against gang violence coming from Chicago.

(625 ILCS 5/11-404) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 11-404)

(625 ILCS 5/11-404) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 11-404)
    Sec. 11-404. Duty upon damaging unattended vehicle or other property.
    (a) The driver of any vehicle which collides with or is involved in a motor vehicle crash with any vehicle which is unattended, or other property, resulting in any damage to such other vehicle or property shall immediately stop and shall then and there either locate and notify the operator or owner of such vehicle or other property of the driver’s name, address, registration number and owner of the vehicle the driver was operating or shall attach securely in a conspicuous place on or in the vehicle or other property struck a written notice giving the driver’s name, address, registration number and owner of the vehicle the driver was driving and shall without unnecessary delay notify the nearest office of a duly authorized police authority and shall make a written report of such crash when and as required in Section 11-406. Every such stop shall be made without obstructing traffic more than is necessary. If a damaged vehicle is obstructing traffic lanes, the driver of the vehicle must make every reasonable effort to move the vehicle or have it moved so as not to block the traffic lanes.
    (b) Any person failing to comply with this Section shall be guilty of a Class A misdemeanor.

 

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