98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2013 and 2014
HB2585

 

Introduced , by Rep. Linda Chapa LaVia

 

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
 
625 ILCS 5/12-604.1
625 ILCS 5/12-610.1
625 ILCS 5/12-610.2

    Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Creates an aggravated offense for driving while using a video device, wireless telephone, or electronic communication device. A person convicted of driving while using a video device, wireless telephone, or electronic communication device commits a Class A misdemeanor if in committing the violation the person was involved in a motor vehicle accident that resulted in great bodily harm, permanent disability, or disfigurement to another and the violation was a proximate cause of the injury. A person convicted of driving while using a video device, wireless telephone, or electronic communication device commits a Class 4 felony if in committing the violation the person was involved in a motor vehicle accident that resulted in the death of another person and the violation was a proximate cause of the death. Effective January 1, 2014.


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CORRECTIONAL BUDGET AND IMPACT NOTE ACT MAY APPLY

 

 

A BILL FOR

 

HB2585LRB098 08509 MLW 38620 b

1    AN ACT concerning transportation.
 
2    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
3represented in the General Assembly:
 
4    Section 5. The Illinois Vehicle Code is amended by changing
5Sections 12-604.1, 12-610.1, and 12-610.2 as follows:
 
6    (625 ILCS 5/12-604.1)
7    Sec. 12-604.1. Video devices.
8    (a) A person may not operate a motor vehicle if a
9television receiver, a video monitor, a television or video
10screen, or any other similar means of visually displaying a
11television broadcast or video signal that produces
12entertainment or business applications is operating and is
13located in the motor vehicle at any point forward of the back
14of the driver's seat, or is operating and visible to the driver
15while driving the motor vehicle.
16    (a-5) A person commits aggravated use of a video device
17when he or she violates subsection (a) and in committing the
18violation he or she was involved in a motor vehicle accident
19that results in great bodily harm, permanent disability,
20disfigurement, or death to another and the violation was a
21proximate cause of the injury or death.
22    (b) This Section does not apply to the following equipment,
23whether or not permanently installed in a vehicle:

 

 

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1        (1) a vehicle information display;
2        (2) a global positioning display;
3        (3) a mapping or navigation display;
4        (4) a visual display used to enhance or supplement the
5    driver's view forward, behind, or to the sides of a motor
6    vehicle for the purpose of maneuvering the vehicle;
7        (5) television-type receiving equipment used
8    exclusively for safety or traffic engineering studies; or
9        (6) a television receiver, video monitor, television
10    or video screen, or any other similar means of visually
11    displaying a television broadcast or video signal, if that
12    equipment has an interlock device that, when the motor
13    vehicle is driven, disables the equipment for all uses
14    except as a visual display as described in paragraphs (1)
15    through (5) of this subsection (b).
16    (c) This Section does not apply to a mobile, digital
17terminal installed in an authorized emergency vehicle, a motor
18vehicle providing emergency road service or roadside
19assistance, or to motor vehicles utilized for public
20transportation.
21    (d) This Section does not apply to a television receiver,
22video monitor, television or video screen, or any other similar
23means of visually displaying a television broadcast or video
24signal if: (i) the equipment is permanently installed in the
25motor vehicle; and (ii) the moving entertainment images that
26the equipment displays are not visible to the driver while the

 

 

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1motor vehicle is in motion.
2    (e) Except as provided in subsection (f) of this Section, a
3A person convicted of violating this Section is guilty of a
4petty offense and shall be fined not more than $100 for a first
5offense, not more than $200 for a second offense within one
6year of a previous conviction, and not more than $250 for a
7third or subsequent offense within one year of 2 previous
8convictions.
9    (f) A person convicted of violating subsection (a-5)
10commits a Class A misdemeanor if the violation resulted in
11great bodily harm, permanent disability, or disfigurement to
12another. A person convicted of violating subsection (a-5)
13commits a Class 4 felony if the violation resulted in the death
14of another person.
15(Source: P.A. 97-499, eff. 1-1-12.)
 
16    (625 ILCS 5/12-610.1)
17    Sec. 12-610.1. Wireless telephones.
18    (a) As used in this Section, "wireless telephone" means a
19device that is capable of transmitting or receiving telephonic
20communications without a wire connecting the device to the
21telephone network.
22    (b) A person under the age of 19 years who holds an
23instruction permit issued under Section 6-105 or 6-107.1, or a
24person under the age of 19 years who holds a graduated license
25issued under Section 6-107, may not drive a vehicle on a

 

 

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1roadway while using a wireless phone.
2    (b-5) A person under the age of 19 commits aggravated use
3of a wireless telephone when he or she violates subsection (b)
4and in committing the violation he or she was involved in a
5motor vehicle accident that results in great bodily harm,
6permanent disability, disfigurement, or death to another and
7the violation was a proximate cause of the injury or death.
8    (c) This Section does not apply to a person under the age
9of 19 years using a wireless telephone for emergency purposes,
10including, but not limited to, an emergency call to a law
11enforcement agency, health care provider, fire department, or
12other emergency services agency or entity.
13    (d) If a graduated driver's license holder over the age of
1418 committed an offense against traffic regulations governing
15the movement of vehicles or any violation of Section 6-107 or
16Section 12-603.1 of this Code in the 6 months prior to the
17graduated driver's license holder's 18th birthday, and was
18subsequently convicted of the violation, the provisions of
19paragraph (b) shall continue to apply until such time as a
20period of 6 consecutive months has elapsed without an
21additional violation and subsequent conviction of an offense
22against traffic regulations governing the movement of vehicles
23or any violation of Section 6-107 or Section 12-603.1 of this
24Code.
25    (e) A person, regardless of age, may not use a wireless
26telephone at any time while operating a motor vehicle on a

 

 

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1roadway in a school speed zone established under Section
211-605, on a highway in a construction or maintenance speed
3zone established under Section 11-605.1, or within 500 feet of
4an emergency scene. As used in this Section, "emergency scene"
5means a location where an authorized emergency vehicle as
6defined by Section 1-105 of this Code is present and has
7activated its oscillating, rotating, or flashing lights. This
8subsection (e) does not apply to (i) a person engaged in a
9highway construction or maintenance project for which a
10construction or maintenance speed zone has been established
11under Section 11-605.1, (ii) a person using a wireless
12telephone for emergency purposes, including, but not limited
13to, law enforcement agency, health care provider, fire
14department, or other emergency services agency or entity, (iii)
15a law enforcement officer or operator of an emergency vehicle
16when performing the officer's or operator's official duties,
17(iv) a person using a wireless telephone in voice-operated
18mode, which may include the use of a headset, or (v) to a
19person using a wireless telephone by pressing a single button
20to initiate or terminate a voice communication., or (vi) (v) a
21person using an electronic communication device for the sole
22purpose of reporting an emergency situation and continued
23communication with emergency personnel during the emergency
24situation.
25    (e-5) A person commits aggravated use of a wireless
26telephone when he or she violates subsection (e) and in

 

 

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1committing the violation he or she was involved in a motor
2vehicle accident that results in great bodily harm, permanent
3disability, disfigurement, or death to another and the
4violation was a proximate cause of the injury or death.
5    (f) A person convicted of violating subsection (b-5) or
6(e-5) commits a Class A misdemeanor if the violation resulted
7in great bodily harm, permanent disability, or disfigurement to
8another. A person convicted of violating subsection (b-5) or
9(e-5) commits a Class 4 felony if the violation resulted in the
10death of another person.
11(Source: P.A. 96-131, eff. 1-1-10; 97-828, eff. 7-20-12;
1297-830, eff. 1-1-13; revised 8-3-12.)
 
13    (625 ILCS 5/12-610.2)
14    Sec. 12-610.2. Electronic communication devices.
15    (a) As used in this Section:
16    "Electronic communication device" means an electronic
17device, including but not limited to a wireless telephone,
18personal digital assistant, or a portable or mobile computer
19while being used for the purpose of composing, reading, or
20sending an electronic message, but does not include a global
21positioning system or navigation system or a device that is
22physically or electronically integrated into the motor
23vehicle.
24    "Electronic message" means a self-contained piece of
25digital communication that is designed or intended to be

 

 

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1transmitted between physical devices. "Electronic message"
2includes, but is not limited to electronic mail, a text
3message, an instant message, a digital photograph, a video, or
4a command or request to access an Internet site.
5    (b) A person may not operate a motor vehicle on a roadway
6while using an electronic communication device to compose,
7send, or read an electronic message.
8    (b-5) A person commits aggravated use of an electronic
9communication device when he or she violates subsection (b) and
10in committing the violation he or she was involved in a motor
11vehicle accident that results in great bodily harm, permanent
12disability, disfigurement, or death to another and the
13violation was a proximate cause of the injury or death.
14    (c) A violation of this Section is an offense against
15traffic regulations governing the movement of vehicles.
16    (d) This Section does not apply to:
17        (1) a law enforcement officer or operator of an
18    emergency vehicle while performing his or her official
19    duties;
20        (2) a driver using an electronic communication device
21    for the sole purpose of reporting an emergency situation
22    and continued communication with emergency personnel
23    during the emergency situation;
24        (3) a driver using an electronic communication device
25    in hands-free or voice-operated mode;
26        (4) a driver of a commercial motor vehicle reading a

 

 

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1    message displayed on a permanently installed communication
2    device designed for a commercial motor vehicle with a
3    screen that does not exceed 10 inches tall by 10 inches
4    wide in size;
5        (5) a driver using an electronic communication device
6    while parked on the shoulder of a roadway; or
7        (6) a driver using an electronic communication device
8    when the vehicle is stopped due to normal traffic being
9    obstructed and the driver has the motor vehicle
10    transmission in neutral or park.
11    (e) A person convicted of violating subsection (b-5)
12commits a Class A misdemeanor if the violation resulted in
13great bodily harm, permanent disability, or disfigurement to
14another. A person convicted of violating subsection (b-5)
15commits a Class 4 felony if the violation resulted in the death
16of another person.
17(Source: P.A. 96-130, eff. 1-1-10; 96-1000, eff. 7-2-10;
1897-828, eff. 7-20-12.)
 
19    Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect January
201, 2014.