SB2524 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB104 12319 LNS 22477 b

104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2025 and 2026
SB2524

Introduced 2/18/2025, by Sen. Kimberly A. Lightford

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

625 ILCS 5/1-104.7 new
625 ILCS 5/1-131.7 new
625 ILCS 5/6-104	from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 6-104
625 ILCS 5/6-106	from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 6-106
625 ILCS 5/6-110
625 ILCS 5/6-110.2

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Allows an applicant for a driver's license to submit, with the application for a driver's license, documentation confirming an intellectual disability or autism spectrum disorder so such information may be included on the person's driver's license. Provides that any such documentation is confidential. Defines "autism spectrum disorder" and "intellectual disability".

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning transportation.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The Illinois Vehicle Code is amended by changing Sections 6-104, 6-106, 6-110, and 6-110.2 and by adding Sections 1-104.7 and 1-131.7 as follows:

(625 ILCS 5/1-104.7 new)

Sec. 1-104.7. Autism spectrum disorder. Any pervasive developmental disorder or autism spectrum disorder, as defined in the most recent edition or the most recent edition at the time of diagnosis of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders of the American Psychiatric Association.

(625 ILCS 5/1-131.7 new)

Sec. 1-131.7. Intellectual disability. A disability, originating before the age of 18 years, characterized concurrently by (i) significant subaverage intellectual functioning as demonstrated by performance on a standardized measure of intellectual functioning, administered in conformity with accepted professional practice, that is at least 2 standard deviations below the mean and (ii) significant limitations in adaptive behavior as expressed in conceptual, social, and practical adaptive skills.

(625 ILCS 5/6-104) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 6-104)

Sec. 6-104. Classification of driver; indication of intellectual disability or autism spectrum disorder; special restrictions Driver - Special Restrictions.

(a) A driver's license issued under the authority of this Act shall indicate the classification for which the applicant therefor has qualified by examination or by such other means that the Secretary of State shall prescribe. Driver's license classifications shall be prescribed by rule or regulation promulgated by the Secretary of State and such may specify classifications as to operation of motor vehicles of the first division, or of those of the second division, whether operated singly or in lawful combination, and whether for-hire or not-for-hire, and may specify such other classifications as the Secretary deems necessary.

No person shall operate a motor vehicle unless such person has a valid license with a proper classification to permit the operation of such vehicle, except that any person may operate a moped if such person has a valid current Illinois driver's license, regardless of classification.

(a-5) If a person submits an application for a driver's license with documents under subsection (b-2) of Section 6-106, the Secretary of State shall indicate that the person has an intellectual disability or autism spectrum disorder on the person's driver's license.

(b) No person who is under the age of 21 years or has had less than 1 year of driving experience shall drive: (1) in connection with the operation of any school, day camp, summer camp, or nursery school, any public or private motor vehicle for transporting children to or from any school, day camp, summer camp, or nursery school, or (2) any motor vehicle of the second division when in use for the transportation of persons for compensation.

(c) No person who is under the age of 18 years shall be issued a license for the purpose of transporting property for hire, or for the purpose of transporting persons for compensation in a motor vehicle of the first division.

(d) No person shall drive: (1) a school bus when transporting school children unless such person possesses a valid school bus driver permit or is accompanied and supervised, for the specific purpose of training prior to routine operation of a school bus, by a person who has held a valid school bus driver permit for at least one year; or (2) any other vehicle owned or operated by or for a public or private school, or a school operated by a religious institution, where such vehicle is being used over a regularly scheduled route for the transportation of persons enrolled as a student in grade 12 or below, in connection with any activity of the entities unless such person possesses a valid school bus driver permit.

(d-5) No person may drive a bus that does not meet the special requirements for school buses provided in Sections 12-801, 12-802, 12-803, and 12-805 of this Code that has been chartered for the sole purpose of transporting students regularly enrolled in grade 12 or below to or from interscholastic athletic or interscholastic or school sponsored activities unless the person has a valid and properly classified commercial driver's license as provided in subsection (c-1) of Section 6-508 of this Code in addition to any other permit or license that is required to operate that bus. This subsection (d-5) does not apply to any bus driver employed by a public transportation provider authorized to conduct local or interurban transportation of passengers when the bus is not traveling a specific school bus route but is on a regularly scheduled route for the transporting of other fare paying passengers.

A person may operate a chartered bus described in this subsection (d-5) if he or she is not disqualified from driving a chartered bus of that type and if he or she holds a CDL that is:

(1) issued to him or her by any other state or jurisdiction in accordance with 49 CFR 383;

(2) not suspended, revoked, or canceled; and

(3) valid under 49 CFR 383, subpart F, for the type of vehicle being driven.

A person may also operate a chartered bus described in this subsection (d-5) if he or she holds a valid CDL and a valid school bus driver permit that was issued on or before December 31, 2003.

(e) No person shall drive a religious organization bus unless such person has a valid and properly classified drivers license or a valid school bus driver permit.

(f) No person shall drive a motor vehicle for the purpose of providing transportation for the elderly in connection with the activities of any public or private organization unless such person has a valid and properly classified driver's license issued by the Secretary of State.

(g) No person shall drive a bus which meets the special requirements for school buses provided in Section 12-801, 12-802, 12-803 and 12-805 of this Code for the purpose of transporting persons 18 years of age or less in connection with any youth camp licensed under the Youth Camp Act or any child care facility licensed under the Child Care Act of 1969 unless such person possesses a valid school bus driver permit or is accompanied and supervised, for the specific purpose of training prior to routine operation of a school bus, by a person who has held a valid school bus driver permit for at least one year; however, a person who has a valid and properly classified driver's license issued by the Secretary of State may operate a school bus for the purpose of transporting persons 18 years of age or less in connection with any such youth camp or child care facility if the "SCHOOL BUS" signs are covered or concealed and the stop signal arm and flashing signal systems are not operable through normal controls.

(h) No person shall operate an autocycle unless he or she has a valid Class D driver's license.

(Source: P.A. 98-777, eff. 1-1-15.)

(625 ILCS 5/6-106) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 6-106)

Sec. 6-106. Application for license or instruction permit.

(a) Every application for any permit or license authorized to be issued under this Code shall be made upon a form furnished by the Secretary of State. Every application shall be accompanied by the proper fee and payment of such fee shall entitle the applicant to not more than 3 attempts to pass the examination within a period of one year after the date of application.

(b) Every application shall state the legal name, zip code, date of birth, sex, and residence address of the applicant; briefly describe the applicant; state whether the applicant has theretofore been licensed as a driver, and, if so, when and by what state or country, and whether any such license has ever been cancelled, suspended, revoked or refused, and, if so, the date and reason for such cancellation, suspension, revocation or refusal; shall include an affirmation by the applicant that all information set forth is true and correct; and shall bear the applicant's signature. In addition to the residence address, the Secretary may allow the applicant to provide a mailing address. In the case of an applicant who is a judicial officer or peace officer, the Secretary may allow the applicant to provide an office or work address in lieu of a residence or mailing address. The application form may also require the statement of such additional relevant information as the Secretary of State shall deem necessary to determine the applicant's competency and eligibility. The Secretary of State may, in his discretion, by rule or regulation, provide that an application for a drivers license or permit may include a suitable photograph of the applicant in the form prescribed by the Secretary, and he may further provide that each drivers license shall include a photograph of the driver. The Secretary of State may utilize a photograph process or system most suitable to deter alteration or improper reproduction of a drivers license and to prevent substitution of another photo thereon. For the purposes of this subsection (b), "peace officer" means any person who by virtue of his or her office or public employment is vested by law with a duty to maintain public order or to make arrests for a violation of any penal statute of this State, whether that duty extends to all violations or is limited to specific violations.

(b-1) Every application shall state the social security number of the applicant; except if the applicant is applying for a standard driver's license and, on the date of application, is ineligible for a social security number, then:

(1) if the applicant has documentation, issued by the United States Department of Homeland Security, authorizing the applicant's presence in this country, the applicant shall provide such documentation instead of a social security number; and

(2) if the applicant does not have documentation described in paragraph (1), the applicant shall provide, instead of a social security number, the following:

(A) documentation establishing that the applicant has resided in this State for a period in excess of one year;

(B) a passport validly issued to the applicant from the applicant's country of citizenship or a consular identification document validly issued to the applicant by a consulate of that country as defined in Section 5 of the Consular Identification Document Act, as long as such documents are either unexpired or presented by an applicant within 2 years of its expiration date; and

(C) a social security card, if the applicant has a social security number.

(b-2) Every application form shall offer an applicant the option to include on the applicant's license whether the applicant has an intellectual disability or autism spectrum disorder. An applicant who wishes to include such information on the applicant's license shall include, with the application, a signed statement by a licensed health care provider confirming that the applicant has an intellectual disability or autism spectrum disorder.

(b-3) Upon the first issuance of a request for proposals for a digital driver's license and identification card issuance and facial recognition system issued after January 1, 2020 (the effective date of Public Act 101-513), and upon implementation of a new or revised system procured pursuant to that request for proposals, the Secretary shall permit applicants to choose between "male", "female" or "non-binary" when designating the applicant's sex on the driver's license application form. The sex designated by the applicant shall be displayed on the driver's license issued to the applicant.

(b-5) Every applicant for a REAL ID compliant driver's license or permit shall provide proof of lawful status in the United States as defined in 6 CFR 37.3, as amended.

(c) The application form shall include a notice to the applicant of the registration obligations of sex offenders under the Sex Offender Registration Act. The notice shall be provided in a form and manner prescribed by the Secretary of State. For purposes of this subsection (c), "sex offender" has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 2 of the Sex Offender Registration Act.

(d) Any male United States citizen or immigrant who applies for any permit or license authorized to be issued under this Code or for a renewal of any permit or license, and who is at least 18 years of age but less than 26 years of age, must be registered in compliance with the requirements of the federal Military Selective Service Act. The Secretary of State must forward in an electronic format the necessary personal information regarding the applicants identified in this subsection (d) to the Selective Service System. The applicant's signature on the application serves as an indication that the applicant either has already registered with the Selective Service System or that he is authorizing the Secretary to forward to the Selective Service System the necessary information for registration. The Secretary must notify the applicant at the time of application that his signature constitutes consent to registration with the Selective Service System, if he is not already registered.

(e) Beginning on or before July 1, 2015, for each original or renewal driver's license application under this Code, the Secretary shall inquire as to whether the applicant is a veteran for purposes of issuing a driver's license with a veteran designation under subsection (e-5) of Section 6-110 of this Code. The acceptable forms of proof shall include, but are not limited to, Department of Defense form DD-214, Department of Defense form DD-256 for applicants who did not receive a form DD-214 upon the completion of initial basic training, Department of Defense form DD-2 (Retired), an identification card issued under the federal Veterans Identification Card Act of 2015, or a United States Department of Veterans Affairs summary of benefits letter. If the document cannot be stamped, the Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs shall provide a certificate to the veteran to provide to the Secretary of State. The Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs shall advise the Secretary as to what other forms of proof of a person's status as a veteran are acceptable.

For each applicant who is issued a driver's license with a veteran designation, the Secretary shall provide the Department of Veterans' Affairs with the applicant's name, address, date of birth, gender and such other demographic information as agreed to by the Secretary and the Department. The Department may take steps necessary to confirm the applicant is a veteran. If after due diligence, including writing to the applicant at the address provided by the Secretary, the Department is unable to verify the applicant's veteran status, the Department shall inform the Secretary, who shall notify the applicant that he or she must confirm status as a veteran, or the driver's license will be cancelled.

For purposes of this subsection (e):

"Armed forces" means any of the Armed Forces of the United States, including a member of any reserve component or National Guard unit.

"Veteran" means a person who has served in the armed forces and was discharged or separated under honorable conditions.

(f) An applicant who is eligible for Gold Star license plates under Section 3-664 of this Code may apply for an original or renewal driver's license with space for a designation as a Gold Star Family. The Secretary may waive any fee for this application. If the Secretary does not waive the fee, any fee charged to the applicant must be deposited into the Illinois Veterans Assistance Fund. The Secretary is authorized to issue rules to implement this subsection.

(Source: P.A. 102-558, eff. 8-20-21; 103-210, eff. 7-1-24; 103-933, eff. 1-1-25.)

(625 ILCS 5/6-110)

Sec. 6-110. Licenses issued to drivers.

(a) The Secretary of State shall issue to every qualifying applicant a driver's license as applied for, which license shall bear a distinguishing number assigned to the licensee, the legal name, signature, zip code, date of birth, residence address, and a brief description of the licensee.

Licenses issued shall also indicate the classification, intellectual disability or autism spectrum disorder, or and the restrictions under Section 6-104 of this Code. The Secretary may adopt rules to establish informational restrictions that can be placed on the driver's license regarding specific conditions of the licensee.

A driver's license issued may, in the discretion of the Secretary, include a suitable photograph of a type prescribed by the Secretary.

(a-1) If the licensee is less than 18 years of age, unless one of the exceptions in subsection (a-2) apply, the license shall, as a matter of law, be invalid for the operation of any motor vehicle during the following times:

(A) Between 11:00 p.m. Friday and 6:00 a.m. Saturday;

(B) Between 11:00 p.m. Saturday and 6:00 a.m. on Sunday; and

(C) Between 10:00 p.m. on Sunday to Thursday, inclusive, and 6:00 a.m. on the following day.

(a-2) The driver's license of a person under the age of 18 shall not be invalid as described in subsection (a-1) of this Section if the licensee under the age of 18 was:

(1) accompanied by the licensee's parent or guardian or other person in custody or control of the minor;

(2) on an errand at the direction of the minor's parent or guardian, without any detour or stop;

(3) in a motor vehicle involved in interstate travel;

(4) going to or returning home from an employment activity, without any detour or stop;

(5) involved in an emergency;

(6) going to or returning home from, without any detour or stop, an official school, religious, or other recreational activity supervised by adults and sponsored by a government or governmental agency, a civic organization, or another similar entity that takes responsibility for the licensee, without any detour or stop;

(7) exercising First Amendment rights protected by the United States Constitution, such as the free exercise of religion, freedom of speech, and the right of assembly; or

(8) married or had been married or is an emancipated minor under the Emancipation of Minors Act.

(a-2.5) The driver's license of a person who is 17 years of age and has been licensed for at least 12 months is not invalid as described in subsection (a-1) of this Section while the licensee is participating as an assigned driver in a Safe Rides program that meets the following criteria:

(1) the program is sponsored by the Boy Scouts of America or another national public service organization; and

(2) the sponsoring organization carries liability insurance covering the program.

(a-3) If a graduated driver's license holder over the age of 18 committed an offense against traffic regulations governing the movement of vehicles or any violation of Section 6-107 or Section 12-603.1 of this Code in the 6 months prior to the graduated driver's license holder's 18th birthday, and was subsequently convicted of the offense, the provisions of subsection (a-1) shall continue to apply until such time as a period of 6 consecutive months has elapsed without an additional violation and subsequent conviction of an offense against traffic regulations governing the movement of vehicles or Section 6-107 or Section 12-603.1 of this Code.

(a-4) If an applicant for a driver's license or instruction permit has a current identification card issued by the Secretary of State, the Secretary may require the applicant to utilize the same residence address and name on the identification card, driver's license, and instruction permit records maintained by the Secretary. The Secretary may promulgate rules to implement this provision.

(a-5) If an applicant for a driver's license is an employee of the Department of Children and Family Services with a job title of "Child Protection Specialist Trainee", "Child Protection Specialist", "Child Protection Advanced Specialist", "Child Welfare Specialist Trainee", "Child Welfare Specialist", or "Child Welfare Advanced Specialist" or a judicial officer or a peace officer, the applicant may elect to have his or her office or work address listed on the license instead of the applicant's residence or mailing address. The Secretary of State shall adopt rules to implement this subsection (a-5). For the purposes of this subsection (a-5), "peace officer" means any person who by virtue of his or her office or public employment is vested by law with a duty to maintain public order or to make arrests for a violation of any penal statute of this State, whether that duty extends to all violations or is limited to specific violations.

(b) Until the Secretary of State establishes a First Person Consent organ and tissue donor registry under Section 6-117 of this Code, the Secretary of State shall provide a format on the reverse of each driver's license issued which the licensee may use to execute a document of gift conforming to the provisions of the Illinois Anatomical Gift Act. The format shall allow the licensee to indicate the gift intended, whether specific organs, any organ, or the entire body, and shall accommodate the signatures of the donor and 2 witnesses. The Secretary shall also inform each applicant or licensee of this format, describe the procedure for its execution, and may offer the necessary witnesses; provided that in so doing, the Secretary shall advise the applicant or licensee that he or she is under no compulsion to execute a document of gift. A brochure explaining this method of executing an anatomical gift document shall be given to each applicant or licensee. The brochure shall advise the applicant or licensee that he or she is under no compulsion to execute a document of gift, and that he or she may wish to consult with family, friends, or clergy before doing so. The Secretary of State may undertake additional efforts, including education and awareness activities, to promote organ and tissue donation.

(c) The Secretary of State shall designate on each driver's license issued a space where the licensee may place a sticker or decal of the uniform size as the Secretary may specify, which sticker or decal may indicate in appropriate language that the owner of the license carries an Emergency Medical Information Card.

The sticker may be provided by any person, hospital, school, medical group, or association interested in assisting in implementing the Emergency Medical Information Card, but shall meet the specifications as the Secretary may by rule or regulation require.

(d) The Secretary of State shall designate on each driver's license issued a space where the licensee may indicate his blood type and RH factor.

(e) The Secretary of State shall provide that each original or renewal driver's license issued to a licensee under 21 years of age shall be of a distinct nature from those driver's licenses issued to individuals 21 years of age and older. The color designated for driver's licenses for licensees under 21 years of age shall be at the discretion of the Secretary of State.

(e-1) The Secretary shall provide that each driver's license issued to a person under the age of 21 displays the date upon which the person becomes 18 years of age and the date upon which the person becomes 21 years of age.

(e-3) The General Assembly recognizes the need to identify military veterans living in this State for the purpose of ensuring that they receive all of the services and benefits to which they are legally entitled, including health care healthcare, education assistance, and job placement. To assist the State in identifying these veterans and delivering these vital services and benefits, the Secretary of State is authorized to issue drivers' licenses with the word "veteran" appearing on the face of the licenses. This authorization is predicated on the unique status of veterans. The Secretary may not issue any other driver's license which identifies an occupation, status, affiliation, hobby, or other unique characteristics of the license holder which is unrelated to the purpose of the driver's license.

(e-5) Beginning on or before July 1, 2015, the Secretary of State shall designate a space on each original or renewal driver's license where, at the request of the applicant, the word "veteran" shall be placed. The veteran designation shall be available to a person identified as a veteran under subsection (e) of Section 6-106 of this Code who was discharged or separated under honorable conditions.

(e-7) Upon providing the required documentation, at the request of the applicant, the driver's license may reflect Gold Star Family designation. The Secretary shall designate a space on each original or renewal driver's license for such designation. This designation shall be available to a person eligible for Gold Star license plates under subsection (f) of Section 6-106 of this Code.

(f) The Secretary of State shall inform all Illinois licensed commercial motor vehicle operators of the requirements of the Uniform Commercial Driver License Act, Article V of this Chapter, and shall make provisions to insure that all drivers, seeking to obtain a commercial driver's license, be afforded an opportunity prior to April 1, 1992, to obtain the license. The Secretary is authorized to extend driver's license expiration dates, and assign specific times, dates and locations where these commercial driver's tests shall be conducted. Any applicant, regardless of the current expiration date of the applicant's driver's license, may be subject to any assignment by the Secretary. Failure to comply with the Secretary's assignment may result in the applicant's forfeiture of an opportunity to receive a commercial driver's license prior to April 1, 1992.

(g) The Secretary of State shall designate on a driver's license issued, a space where the licensee may indicate that he or she has drafted a living will in accordance with the Illinois Living Will Act or a durable power of attorney for health care in accordance with the Illinois Power of Attorney Act.

(g-1) The Secretary of State, in his or her discretion, may designate on each driver's license issued a space where the licensee may place a sticker or decal, issued by the Secretary of State, of uniform size as the Secretary may specify, that shall indicate in appropriate language that the owner of the license has renewed his or her driver's license.

(h) A person who acts in good faith in accordance with the terms of this Section is not liable for damages in any civil action or subject to prosecution in any criminal proceeding for his or her act.

(i) The Secretary shall designate a space on each original or renewal of a driver's license, at the request of the applicant, for a designation as a Gold Star Family. This designation shall be available to a person eligible for Gold Star license plates under subsection (f) of Section 6-106 of this Code.

(Source: P.A. 103-888, eff. 8-9-24; 103-933, eff. 1-1-25; revised 11-26-24.)

(625 ILCS 5/6-110.2)

Sec. 6-110.2. Confidentiality of documents submitted with an application for a driver's license. Documents required to be submitted with an application for a driver's license to prove the applicant's identity (name and date of birth), social security number or lack of a social security number, written signature, residency, and, as applicable, citizenship or immigration status, and country of citizenship, and confirmation of an intellectual disability or autism spectrum disorder shall be confidential and shall not be disclosed except to the following persons:

(1) the individual to whom the driver's license or permit was issued, upon written request;

(2) officers and employees of the Secretary of State who have a need to have access to the stored images for purposes of issuing and controlling driver's licenses, permits, or identification cards and investigation of fraud or misconduct;

(3) law enforcement officials for a civil or criminal law enforcement investigation, except as restricted by Section 6-110.3;

(4) other entities that the Secretary may authorize by rule.

(Source: P.A. 103-210, eff. 7-1-24.)