Oswego trustees as a committee of the whole recently discussed instituting a $750 administrative fee on drivers who flee or attempt to elude police as a way to improve safety on the roads and recover the costs associated with these types of violations.
The Oswego Police Department has seen a rise in the number of drivers who flee or attempt to elude police officers since 2020, Oswego Police Chief Jason Bastin said.
“This is not unique to Oswego,” Bastin said.
He said the increase in drivers who flee or attempt to elude police has been documented in the region, across the state and nationally.
The number of high-speed chases seems to have increased as police agencies have adopted a more restrictive policy concerning pursuits intended to ensure the safety of the public, he said.
“I am not saying the two are directly related, but there is a strong correlation between adoption of these policies and a rise in the number of vehicles that flee or attempt to elude police,” Bastin said. “We turn on our lights, and the person takes off. I think the idea may be in the public’s mindset now that there’s a good chance police will not chase them.”
There have been 33 instances in which a motorist has fled from Oswego police since 2020, he said.
The Oswego Police Department in 2024 had 12 incidents where drivers took off after police officers tried to get them to stop, he said. However, in 2025 the number dropped to four.
“I don’t expect it to stay that low but it’s an issue that needs to be addressed,” Bastin said.
The $750 administrative fee would help to offset the financial impact these incidents place on the village and deter dangerous behavior, he said. The amount of the fee is based on the time and resources required to prosecute these cases.
“Besides the financial impact, if there is a mindset that there are no repercussions now when you run from police, we want to add as many repercussions as possible,” he said.
Naperville has adopted a similar policy, Bastin said.
Linda Girardi is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/27/oswego-may-impose-750-fee-on-drivers-who-flee-from-police/
