Memorial Day weekend is one of the busiest travel periods of the year, and with that comes a reminder from the Mattoon Police Department: buckle up… because officers will be watching. Mattoon Police are joining fellow law enforcement agencies across the state of Illinois for the 2026 “Click It or Ticket” campaign. This continued effort runs from now through May 26th. The initiative is one of the most well-known traffic safety campaigns in the country and it’s exactly what it sounds like, if you’re not wearing your seat belt, you’re getting a ticket. No warnings, no second chances if you’re stopped.
Officers will be out conducting “high-visibility enforcement” both day and night throughout the campaign, with a focus on seat belt violations and impaired driving. This isn’t just a daytime operation as nighttime enforcement is a specific priority this year, and agencies say it’s for a good reason. Despite Illinois seat belt usage climbing to 93% in 2025, unrestrained fatalities are still occurring, and they seem to happen more after dark.
Illinois law on the matter is clear. Every driver and every passenger is required to wear a seat belt, no exceptions. The “Click It or Ticket” campaign is funded by federal highway safety funds distributed by the Illinois Department of Transportation. For more safe driving resources, visit itsnotagameillinois.com.
This Memorial Day, their request is simple enough – buckle up every trip, every time.
