Manhattan Police Chief Reports Rise in Traffic Accidents; Ordinance Violations Surge

Manhattan Village Board Meeting | Jan. 20, 2026

Article Summary: Manhattan Police Chief Jeff Gulli presented annual statistics to the Village Board on Tuesday, noting a concerning increase in traffic accidents and a significant rise in commercial truck violations. The board also discussed ongoing conversations with the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) regarding safety improvements.

Manhattan Police Department Key Points:

• Traffic Accidents: The village recorded nine more traffic accidents in 2025 compared to the previous year, totaling 73 incidents.

• Truck Violations: Chief Gulli reported an increase of 412 commercial truck violations cited over the last year.

• Overtime Reduction: The department successfully reduced overtime hours by 855 compared to the prior year.

• IDOT Discussions: Village officials are actively engaging with state representatives to address safety concerns on state routes.

The Manhattan Village Board on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, received the 2025 annual wrap-up report from Police Chief Jeff Gulli, who highlighted shifting trends in public safety activity, specifically regarding traffic incidents and enforcement.

Chief Gulli reported that while some metrics showed operational improvements, traffic safety remains a priority. He noted that traffic accidents within the village increased by nine incidents over the previous year. According to the police department’s monthly report, there were 73 traffic accidents in 2025 compared to 64 in 2024.

“That’s something we’re going to have to pay close attention to because I don’t see that trend changing unless we change things with us and IDOT,” Gulli told the board. “So hopefully we’ll work towards that.”

The discussion on traffic safety was echoed by Trustee Clint Boone, who referenced a specific recent incident, though he did not provide details. Boone offered prayers for the family involved and confirmed that the village is pressing for state-level assistance.

“We’re still having conversation with IDOT and we’ll continue to do so, leaning into our Representative [Anthony] DeLuca and Senator [Patrick] Joyce,” Boone said.

In addition to accident data, Gulli reported a sharp increase in enforcement regarding commercial vehicles. He stated that 412 more commercial truck violations were cited last year. Department data lists a total of 2,245 ordinance violations issued in 2025, compared to 1,833 in 2024—a difference of exactly 412.

On an operational level, Gulli highlighted fiscal efficiency, noting that the department utilized 855 fewer hours of overtime in 2025 compared to 2024.