The Tribune reports today about policy changes for Illinois State Police to initiate a chase:

Under the first level, called a “code one,” troopers are limited to following traffic laws. Officers operating under codes two and three can drive faster than the speed limit, but must call a supervisor before exceeding 20 miles over the speed limit.

And only supervisors can issue a “code red,” directing troopers to drive as fast as necessary, with no limit, State Police Lt. Scott Compton said. Those cases will later be reviewed by a committee, he said.

Second City Cop raises an interesting point about what this could mean:

Limit liability at all costs. Including not being able to enforce any sort of speeding laws since they won’t be able to get permission to exceed 75 mph in enough time to catch up to someone doing 100-plus mph. For some reason, we see Illinois highways becoming closer and closer to DeathRace 2000 now.

Not that I plan on committing any crimes and using the interstate as my getaway route, but a few years ago I was ticketed for going 83 in a 65 mph zone and the trooper had to hop the grassy median and likely exceeded 100 mph to catch up to me quickly since we were going opposite directions when he clocked me. All for a $100 ticket.

My speedometer reads 160 mph and I’ve seen the needle in excess of 135. I plan on stopping should I see flashing lights in my rearview, but SCC is right, what’s to stop someone from taking off and creating a dangerous situation because they’re armed with this information and the knowledge that another ticket will leave them with a suspended license or worse?