Chicago DUI lawyer comments on the stalling of courtesy rides to avoid DUI's

This Chicago DUI lawyer posted here about a concept where you call, it's not a taxi service, if you've had too much to drink and they give you a ride home. Looks like there's a lot more controversy over a similar offering in a different part of the state.

September 15, Quincy, IL

Alderman Dan Brink (R-6th Ward) says he has nothing against the service Jonathon Shoenekase is providing when he picks up people from bars who think they've had too much to drink.

But Brink has some questions: "Is this a business and does it need to be regulated?"

Shoenekase's "Courtesy Rides" service doesn't charge a fee, instead accepting donations for rides. The Quincy City Council heard a first reading of an ordinance Monday night to amend the city's municipal code to amend the definition of "for hire" pertaining to taxis and limousines in the city.

Schonekase asked the City Council that if it decided to change the law, he wished to be grandfathered in. He also reminded Quincy Mayor John Spring that he made a pledge during the last mayoral election to assist those citizens who wanted to avoid drinking and driving.

James Meredith, owner of Diamond Cab, also spoke to the Council and said Schoenekase is merely skirting state law by not having a license and claiming to take donations instead of collecting fares.

Meredith, whose company has been criticized for not having operating hours to facilitate patrons who close bars and nightclubs, says the hours of operation are 5 a.m. to 1 a.m. and he is now operating until 4 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

He said nightclubs have in the past paid him to operate later hours and he said he would have later operating hours "if business justifies it."

Anyone else think MADD will lend a helping hand to a ride home program for folks who think they aren't safe to drive home?