BLOOMINGTON - A Bloomington police officer facing drunken driving charges has asked for permission from the state to drive police vehicles during the time his license is suspended for refusing to take a breath test.

Officer William McGonigle, 35, of Normal, was in court Wednesday on drunken driving and speeding citations. A state trooper issued the tickets Jan. 31 after stopping the Bloomington patrolman, who was driving north on U.S. 51 at Kerrick Road in Normal.

William McGonigle

Accompanied by defense lawyer Jeff Brown, McGonigle pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Under a law that took effect Jan. 1, a first-time DUI offender can only drive if with a breath alcohol interlock device installed in the offender's vehicle. A vehicle won't start unless a driver passes the machine's breath test.

Anyone opting out of the program must sign a form waiving driving privileges.

After consulting with his lawyer, McGonigle asked Associate Judge Casey Costigan for the device.

Costigan also signed a request from McGonigle to the state for an exemption to the law that could permit him to drive city vehicles without the device.

The officer followed other accused traffic offenders to the bench for the judge's explanation of the new laws involving the interlock device.

Because McGonigle refused a breath test at the time of his arrest, he cannot drive at all for 30 days and then can drive only with an interlock device for the next 11 months. That applies even if the DUI case is pending.

According to police reports, McGonigle was traveling 83 mph in a 45 mph speed zone when he was pulled over by the state trooper. Reports said the officer noted McGonigle's glassy-eyed appearance and a strong odor of alcohol.

Bloomington police placed the six-year veteran on paid administrative leave more than three weeks ago while an internal investigation is conducted into the incident. He remains on that leave.

Brown said after the hearing that the law provides for an exemption for vehicles used during working hours and not taken home.

Bloomington city attorney Todd Greenberg said Wednesday that city policies related to driving privileges differ according to the job. Some positions do not require a driver's license and those that do require a person to be able to drive during their working hours, he said.

"Whether a person can drive validly or not when they're not working is not our concern," said Greenberg.

Bloomington police said previously that they would not install an interlock device in a squad car.

Greenberg declined to comment on the possibility that McGonigle could return to work as a patrol officer whose duties include stopping drivers suspected of being drunk.

A special prosecutor will handle the case when it moves forward at an April 13 pretrial hearing. McLean County State's Attorney Bill Yoder requested the outside prosecutor to handle the case, saying that his office may be called to handle cases involving the officer if he returns to work.