Sheriff Dan Travous

03/21/2026

A statement from our executive director.

ISA Executive Director Jim Kaitschuk - "Needless to say we are definitely in the heat of legislative action in the General Assembly! I would, however, like to take the opportunity to clarify a significant misrepresentation of your Illinois Sheriffs and the Illinois Sheriffs’ Association. The post listed here indicated here that “never forget, the law enforcement lobby is the gun control lobby here in Illinois.” This could not be further from the truth! Illinois Sheriffs do NOT support HB4471 and were specifically read into the record of our opposition. The ISA has a key role in pushing back on legislation year after year in the General Assembly that further infringes on legal gun owners. The ISA fights hard and lobbies EVERY DAY against these attempts. We fight to protect the 2nd Amendment for not only law enforcement, but for the millions of law-abiding citizens in Illinois and that we represent in our membership as well!
In the future it would be helpful for this group to get accurate information. If they are not sure how to do so I would be happy to educate them on the legislative process and how to accurately track positions in the future.
The ISA and Illinois Sheriffs are incensed by the comment "never forget the law enforcement lobby is the gun control here in Illinois!"

09/18/2025

An update to a letter I wrote almost two weeks ago.

I am happy to report the gentleman we were holding in our facility has been transferred back to Choate Mental Health for further treatment. I would like to thank Illinois State Representative Charlie Meier, his staff, and all of you who shared the letter.

Sheriff Dan Travous

https://x.com/FOX2now/status/1968512076650893575?s=19

09/05/2025

Please read and share. Thank you

07/14/2025

Today a local man celebrates another birthday after suffering cardiac arrest on a local golf course a few years ago. He is still with us due to a close friend who was playing with him that day, and a Clinton County dispatcher who answered the 911 call and knew the course like the back of her hand. I do believe God was guiding their hands.
Clinton County, your Dispatch staff are some of the highest trained in the State. They work in a dark room, ( by their own choice), waiting for the next call that could be a friend, loved one, or you. They work days, nights, and holidays without complaint. Clinton County, rest assured, if you have to dial 911, some of the most caring professionals will be there to answer your call, get the help you, a friend or love one need in an emergency. Thank you Clinton County Dispatch!!!

01/03/2025

12/25/2024

Merry Christmas from CCSO night and day shifts. Also pictured is Sugar Creek's rig on an early morning Christmas call. I thank all of those who have to spend their Christmas away from loved ones. Whether it be police, EMS, fire, nurses, doctors, hospital staff, assisted living staffs, nursing home staffs, corrections officers, and everyone else who have to work today. THANK YOU!!! You are all appreciated more than you know.

05/28/2024

Looking toward Aviston from our back porch. What a beautiful Memorial Day. Thinking of all those who have made the ultimate sacrifice and those who have hade to live without them!!!

05/10/2024

A huge "Thank You" to the Clinton County Vietnam Veterans Association and the Carlyle American Legion for all their hard work and financial support towards the Clinton County War Memorial. Months ago, the Vietnam Veterans asked to rip out old, overgrown shrubs and refresh the area around the Memorial to return it to what it once was. With their hard work, and financial support from the Carlyle Legion, they did just that. The Southeast corner of the Clinton County Courthouse is beautiful once again, in a fitting tribute to the many heroes whose names are engraved on the walls of our Memorial. Should you ever get a chance to stop by and pay your respects, please give thanks to those who gave the ultimate sacrifice and those who continue to make sure their honor lives on in this wonderful County we call home!! God Bless you all, and thank you all so very much.

Sheriff Dan Travous

09/29/2023

Clinton County is home to some of the finest schools in the State, and Damiansville is certainly one of them!!! Today my office, along with firefighters from Clin-Clair Fire Department, had the opportunity to speak with staff and students about fire safety, internet/ cell phone awareness, and personal safety. The kids were even treated to a "bunker gear" race between Superintendent Kent Hawley and Principal Amanda Beer. (Mrs. Beer won by the way!!) Thank you all for being such great hosts. We definitely enjoyed spending the morning with you all.

09/15/2023

08/31/2023

Parents, grandparents, guardians, and citizens, recently I reached out to Clinton County school superintendents and administrators letting each of them know deputies from my office will be much more present in and around their schools this year. This is NOT due to an increased threat, but rather a fundamental change in procedure to meet an ever-changing society.
Over the years, I have heard from many of you saying how seeing a deputy or squad car at school gives great peace of mind when dropping your loved one/s off for a day of learning.
Not only does our presence offer parents/grandparents/guardians peace of mind, but maybe more importantly, gives the students a different view of deputies/police officers than maybe they have seen on television or on-line. In a time of unprecedented bad press for our profession, I feel it's incredibly important for the "next generation" to understand law enforcement is here to help them, and not be feared. Should any of your children or grandchildren come home from school and ask why they saw a deputy or police officer at school, I hope and pray this post will help you explain it to them.

Sheriff Dan Travous

07/18/2023

Earlier today the Illinois Supreme Court ruled the Safe-T Act, passed last year by the Illinois General Assembly, as constitutional. The law eliminates cash bail, and will prohibit law enforcement from holding those arrested for almost all crimes, with the exception of some violent crimes, and certain s*x offenses. We will also be required to release inmates currently being held in our jail who do not fit the criteria of the new law.


Below is a statement relating to the Safe-T Act from the Illinois Sheriff's Association.

Illinois Supreme Court Rules SAFE-T-Act constitutional/Cash bail is eliminated effective September 18, 2023

ISA Statement from Jim Kaitschuk: While we are extremely disappointed in today’s ruling by the Illinois Supreme Court, it is not unexpected. While we are still reviewing the decision, we must continue to direct our efforts and attention to getting members of the law enforcement community ready for full implementation of the Act by September 18, 2023. We have, and will continue, to work with the General Assembly on subsequent bills to address areas of the original law that require additional attention. Illinois Sheriffs remain committed to working on behalf of our communities to keep citizens safe.