093_SB0888

 
                                     LRB093 08230 DRH 08442 b

 1        AN ACT in relation to vehicles.

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

 4        Section 5. The Illnois Vehicle Code is amended by  adding
 5    Section 12-610.1 as follows:

 6        (625 ILCS 5/12-610.1 new)
 7        Sec. 12-610.1. Wireless telephones.
 8        (a)  The  General  Assembly finds and declares all of the
 9    following:
10             (1)  There   are   significant    safety    benefits
11        associated    with    the    availability   of   wireless
12        communication    technologies,    including     providing
13        assistance  that  helps save lives and minimizes property
14        damage.
15             (2)  On  a  daily  basis,  Illinois   drivers   make
16        thousands of wireless telephone emergency 911 calls.
17             (3)  The  availability  of  wireless  telephones  in
18        automobiles  allows motorists to report accidents, fires,
19        naturally occurring  life-threatening  situations,  other
20        dangerous  road conditions, road rage, dangerous driving,
21        criminal behavior such as  drunk  driving,  and  stranded
22        motorist situations.
23             (4)  There  is  growing public concern regarding the
24        safety implications of the widespread practice  of  using
25        hand-held   wireless  telephones  while  operating  motor
26        vehicles.
27             (5)  It is in the best interests of the  health  and
28        welfare  of  the  citizens  of  the  State  to enact one,
29        uniform,  automotive  wireless  telephone  use  law  that
30        establishes  statewide  safety  guidelines  for  use   of
31        wireless telephones while operating a motor vehicle.
 
                            -2-      LRB093 08230 DRH 08442 b
 1        (b)  As  used in this Section, "wireless telephone" means
 2    a  device  that  is  capable  of  transmitting  or  receiving
 3    telephonic  communications  without  a  wire  connecting  the
 4    device to the telephone network.
 5        (c)  A person may not drive a motor vehicle while using a
 6    wireless telephone  unless  that  telephone  is  specifically
 7    designed and configured to allow hands-free operation, and is
 8    used in that manner while driving.
 9        (d)  A  violation  of  this  Section  is  a petty offense
10    punishable by a fine of not more than $20 for a first offense
11    and not more than $50 for each subsequent offense.
12        (e)  This Section does not apply  to  a  person  using  a
13    wireless telephone for emergency purposes, including, but not
14    limited  to,  an  emergency call to a law enforcement agency,
15    health care provider, fire  department,  or  other  emergency
16    services agency or entity.

17        Section  90.  The State Mandates Act is amended by adding
18    Section 8.27 as follows:

19        (30 ILCS 805/8.27 new)
20        Sec. 8.27. Exempt mandate.   Notwithstanding  Sections  6
21    and  8 of this Act, no reimbursement by the State is required
22    for  the  implementation  of  any  mandate  created  by  this
23    amendatory Act of the 93rd General Assembly.