WMOK – Metropolis, IL — It is a common question among local drivers: Do police officers have ticket quotas they are required to hit each month?
The short answer in the Land of Lincoln is no.
Under Illinois law—specifically the Illinois Quota Act—it is illegal for state, county, or municipal law enforcement agencies to require officers to issue a specific number of traffic tickets or citations within a given timeframe.
Furthermore, departments are legally prohibited from using ticket counts as a benchmark to evaluate an officer’s job performance.
While departments cannot mandate ticket numbers, supervisors may monitor general community engagement metrics—such as traffic stops, written warnings, motorist assists, or overall crime prevention efforts—to ensure officers are actively patrolling during their shifts.
Whether a traffic stop ends in a verbal warning, a written warning, or a ticket remains entirely up to the officer’s discretion.
Following the question, Metropolis Police Chief Harry Masse discussed the department’s recent traffic safety operations conducted throughout July. The month-long enforcement campaign aimed to reduce highway fatalities, curb excessive speeding, and encourage safer driving habits across Metropolis and Massac County. Conducted in partnership with state and local agencies across Illinois, the campaign was funded through federal traffic safety grants administered by the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT).
During the July enforcement push, Metropolis officers logged significant traffic and public safety results:
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65 speeding citations issued
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11 fugitives apprehended
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4 DUI arrests
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4 driver’s license suspensions/revocations
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3 seat belt citations
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3 uninsured motorist citations
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3 drug-related arrests
Chief Masse reminded motorists that staying attentive and obeying posted speed limits is essential to keeping local roadways safe for everyone throughout the remainder of the summer.
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