SR0816 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0816 LRB104 22045 RMO 38130 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are deeply saddened by the tragic death of Marko Niketic, whose life was taken far too soon on Mother's Day 2024; and

WHEREAS, Marko Niketic, only six weeks shy of his 18th birthday and just days away from his senior graduation and prom, was widely admired for his strength, perseverance, kindness, and positive spirit, serving as an inspiration to many throughout Illinois and beyond; and

WHEREAS, On May 12, 2024, Marko Niketic was tragically killed shortly after leaving his residence to drive his girlfriend home following a Mother's Day spent with their mothers; and

WHEREAS, The crash was allegedly caused by an individual operating a motor vehicle while impaired, traveling at speeds exceeding 150 miles per hour on the expressway and approximately 122 miles per hour at the time of impact, while also allegedly recording himself during the incident, in a collision so close to Marko's home that his parents heard the crash occur; and

WHEREAS, The dangerous driving behavior commonly referred to as "ghosting" involves operating a motor vehicle at excessive speeds, often 100 miles per hour or more above the posted speed limit, while driving at night without vehicle lights illuminated, disregarding public safety and creating an extreme risk of catastrophic injury or death to motorists, pedestrians, and others on the roadway; and

WHEREAS, The growing use of recording, live streaming, and social media to promote reckless and dangerous driving conduct has amplified the danger by incentivizing increasingly extreme behavior for attention, entertainment, or notoriety; and

WHEREAS, The tragic loss of Marko Niketic has heightened public concern regarding impaired driving, extreme reckless driving, and social media-driven dangerous driving behaviors on Illinois roadways; and

WHEREAS, It is important for the Illinois General Assembly to recognize the need to strengthen public safety protections, modernize criminal penalties, and deter dangerous conduct that places innocent motorists, pedestrians, and families at risk, while ensuring consequences proportionate to the devastating harm caused; and

WHEREAS, It is important for Illinois to evaluate opportunities to strengthen penalties for impaired driving and extreme reckless driving offenses that result in serious bodily injury or death, including offenses involving speeds 100 miles per hour or more above the posted speed limit, driving on shoulders or in other prohibited areas, operating a vehicle without headlights during nighttime hours, and recording or disseminating such conduct through social media; and

WHEREAS, It is important for legislators in Illinois to recognize the importance of improving coordination among transportation agencies, law enforcement, prosecutors, and public safety officials to address dangerous driving behaviors and prevent future tragedies; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we urge the Illinois Department of Transportation, the Office of the Secretary of State, the Illinois State Police, local law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, traffic safety organizations, and other relevant public safety stakeholders to review and strengthen policies, enforcement strategies, public awareness efforts, and sentencing guidelines related to impaired driving, extreme reckless driving, social media-driven dangerous driving, and "ghosting"; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we encourage continued consideration of legislative and policy reforms intended to ensure Illinois law appropriately addresses severe reckless driving conduct, including instances involving speeds 100 miles per hour or more above the posted speed limit, driving on shoulders or other prohibited areas, operating a vehicle without headlights at night, recording or promoting dangerous driving conduct through social media, and impaired operation of a motor vehicle resulting in catastrophic injury or loss of life, with consequences proportionate to the harm inflicted upon victims, families, and communities; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be delivered to the Governor of Illinois, the Secretary of State, the Director of the Illinois Department of Transportation, the Director of the Illinois State Police, and the family of Marko Niketic as a symbol of remembrance and the Illinois Senate's commitment to improving roadway safety throughout the State.