HB1939 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB095 03910 DRH 23943 b

95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2007 and 2008
HB1939

Introduced 2/23/2007, by Rep. Robert Rita

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

605 ILCS 10/10	from Ch. 121, par. 100-10
625 ILCS 5/3-413	from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 3-413
625 ILCS 5/3-702	from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 3-702
625 ILCS 5/3-704.2
625 ILCS 5/6-303	from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 6-303
625 ILCS 5/6-306.7
625 ILCS 5/12-503	from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 12-503
625 ILCS 5/12-610.5
625 ILCS 5/12-610.6 new

Amends the Toll Highway Act and the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority may establish a system of administrative adjudication of alleged instances of failure to pay required toll, as detected through the alleged failure to remit payment within the allotted time period after being recorded as a non-paying vehicle by a duly authorized toll collector. Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that it is a violation of laws and ordinances regulating the movement of traffic to operate a vehicle with a license plate treated with any material that obstructs the electronic image recording of the plate or to sell or advertise that material. Sets fines for these violations. Provides that a law enforcement officer may confiscate a license plate if the plate was treated with a substance to block electronic image recording. Provides for revoking the registration of a vehicle whose registration plate is found to have been physically altered to obstruct the visibility or electronic image recording of the plate. Provides for the impoundment of a vehicle driven by a person with a cancelled, suspended, or revoked license, if the person's license was suspended for unpaid toll violations. Provides that the Attorney General may file suit against any individual or entity offering or marketing the sale of any product advertised as having the capacity to obstruct the visibility or electronic image recording of a license plate. Makes other changes.

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 Toll Highway Act is amended by changing Section 10 as follows:

(605 ILCS 10/10) (from Ch. 121, par. 100-10)

Sec. 10. The Authority shall have power:

(a) To pass resolutions, make by-laws, rules and regulations for the management, regulation and control of its affairs, and to fix tolls, and to make, enact and enforce all needful rules and regulations in connection with the construction, operation, management, care, regulation or protection of its property or any toll highways, constructed or reconstructed hereunder.

(a-5) To fix, assess, and collect civil fines for a vehicle's operation on a toll highway without the required toll having been paid. The Authority may establish by rule a system of civil administrative adjudication to adjudicate only alleged instances of a vehicle's operation on a toll highway without the required toll having been paid, as detected by the Authority's video or photo surveillance system or through the alleged failure to remit payment within the allotted time period after being recorded as a non-paying vehicle by a duly authorized toll collector. In cases in which the operator of the vehicle is not the registered vehicle owner, the establishment of ownership of the vehicle creates a rebuttable presumption that the vehicle was being operated by an agent of the registered vehicle owner. If the registered vehicle owner liable for a violation under this Section was not the operator of the vehicle at the time of the violation, the owner may maintain an action for indemnification against the operator in the circuit court. Rules establishing a system of civil administrative adjudication must provide for written notice, by first class mail or other means provided by law, to the address of the registered owner of the cited vehicle as recorded with the Secretary of State's vehicle registration records or out of state governmental entity State or to the lessee of the cited vehicle at the last address known to the lessor of the cited vehicle at the time of the lease, of the alleged violation and an opportunity to be heard on the question of the violation and must provide for the establishment of a toll-free telephone number to receive inquiries concerning alleged violations. The notice shall also inform the registered vehicle owner that failure to contest in the manner and time provided shall be deemed an admission of liability and that a final order of liability may be entered on that admission. A duly authorized agent of the Authority may perform or execute the preparation, certification, affirmation, or mailing of the notice. A notice of violation, sworn or affirmed to or certified by a duly authorized agent of the Authority, or a facsimile of the notice, based upon an inspection of photographs, microphotographs, videotape, or other recorded images produced by a video or photo surveillance system, shall be admitted as prima facie evidence of the correctness of the facts contained in the notice or facsimile. Only civil fines, along with the corresponding outstanding toll, and costs may be imposed by administrative adjudication. A fine may be imposed under this paragraph only if a violation is established by a preponderance of the evidence. Judicial review of all final orders of the Authority under this paragraph shall be conducted in the circuit court of the county in which the administrative decision was rendered in accordance with the Administrative Review Law.

Any outstanding toll, fine, additional late payment fine, other sanction, or costs imposed, or part of any fine, other sanction, or costs imposed, remaining unpaid after the exhaustion of, or the failure to exhaust, judicial review procedures under the Administrative Review Law are a debt due and owing the Authority and may be collected in accordance with applicable law. After expiration of the period in which judicial review under the Administrative Review Law may be sought, unless stayed by a court of competent jurisdiction, a final order of the Authority under this subsection (a-5) may be enforced in the same manner as a judgment entered by a court of competent jurisdiction. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, the Authority may, with the approval of the Attorney General, retain a law firm or law firms with expertise in the collection of government fines and debts for the purpose of collecting fines, costs, and other moneys due under this subsection (a-5).

A system of civil administrative adjudication may also provide for a program of vehicle immobilization, tow, or impoundment for the purpose of facilitating enforcement of any final order or orders of the Authority under this subsection (a-5) that result in a finding or liability for 5 or more violations after expiration of the period in which judicial review under the Administrative Review Law may be sought. The registered vehicle owner of a vehicle immobilized, towed, or impounded for nonpayment of a final order of the Authority under this subsection (a-5) shall have the right to request a hearing before the Authority's civil administrative adjudicatory system to challenge the validity of the immobilization, tow, or impoundment. This hearing, however, shall not constitute a readjudication of the merits of previously adjudicated notices. Judicial review of all final orders of the Authority under this subsection (a-5) shall be conducted in the circuit court of the county in which the administrative decision was rendered in accordance with the Administrative Review Law.

No commercial entity that is the lessor of a vehicle under a written lease agreement shall be liable for an administrative notice of violation for toll evasion issued under this subsection (a-5) involving that vehicle during the period of the lease if the lessor provides a copy of the leasing agreement to the Authority within 21 days of the issue date on the notice of violation. The leasing agreement also must contain a provision or addendum informing the lessee that the lessee is liable for payment of all tolls and any fines for toll evasion. Each entity must also post a sign at the leasing counter notifying the lessee of that liability. The copy of the leasing agreement provided to the Authority must contain the name, address, and driver's license number of the lessee, as well as the check-out and return dates and times of the vehicle and the vehicle license plate number and vehicle make and model.

As used in this subsection (a-5), "lessor" includes commercial leasing and rental entities but does not include public passenger vehicle entities.

The Authority shall establish an amnesty program for violations adjudicated under this subsection (a-5). Under the program, any person who has an outstanding notice of violation for toll evasion or a final order of a hearing officer for toll evasion dated prior to the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 94th General Assembly and who pays to the Authority the full percentage amounts listed in this paragraph remaining due on the notice of violation or final order of the hearing officer and the full fees and costs paid by the Authority to the Secretary of State relating to suspension proceedings, if applicable, on or before 5:00 p.m., Central Standard Time, of the 60th day after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 94th General Assembly shall not be required to pay more than the listed percentage of the original fine amount and outstanding toll as listed on the notice of violation or final order of the hearing officer and the full fees and costs paid by the Authority to the Secretary of State relating to suspension proceedings, if applicable. The payment percentage scale shall be as follows: a person with 25 or fewer violations shall be eligible for amnesty upon payment of 50% of the original fine amount and the outstanding tolls; a person with more than 25 but fewer than 51 violations shall be eligible for amnesty upon payment of 60% of the original fine amount and the outstanding tolls; and a person with 51 or more violations shall be eligible for amnesty upon payment of 75% of the original fine amount and the outstanding tolls. In such a situation, the Executive Director of the Authority or his or her designee is authorized and directed to waive any late fine amount above the applicable percentage of the original fine amount. Partial payment of the amount due shall not be a basis to extend the amnesty payment deadline nor shall it act to relieve the person of liability for payment of the late fine amount. In order to receive amnesty, the full amount of the applicable percentage of the original fine amount and outstanding toll remaining due on the notice of violation or final order of the hearing officer and the full fees and costs paid by the Authority to the Secretary of State relating to suspension proceedings, if applicable, must be paid in full by 5:00 p.m., Central Standard Time, of the 60th day after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 94th General Assembly. This amendatory Act of the 94th General Assembly has no retroactive effect with regard to payments already tendered to the Authority that were full payments or payments in an amount greater than the applicable percentage, and this Act shall not be the basis for either a refund or a credit. This amendatory Act of the 94th General Assembly does not apply to toll evasion citations issued by the Illinois State Police or other authorized law enforcement agencies and for which payment may be due to or through the clerk of the circuit court. The Authority shall adopt rules as necessary to implement the provisions of this amendatory Act of the 94th General Assembly. The Authority, by a resolution of the Board of Directors, shall have the discretion to implement similar amnesty programs in the future. The Authority, at its discretion and in consultation with the Attorney General, is further authorized to settle an administrative fine or penalty if it determines that settling for less than the full amount is in the best interests of the Authority after taking into account the following factors: (1) the merits of the Authority's claim against the respondent; (2) the amount that can be collected relative to the administrative fine or penalty owed by the respondent; (3) the cost of pursuing further enforcement or collection action against the respondent; (4) the likelihood of collecting the full amount owed; and (5) the burden on the judiciary. The provisions in this Section may be extended to other toll facilities in the State of Illinois through a duly executed agreement between the Authority and the operator of the toll facility.

(b) To prescribe rules and regulations applicable to traffic on highways under the jurisdiction of the Authority, concerning:

(1) Types of vehicles permitted to use such highways or parts thereof, and classification of such vehicles;

(2) Designation of the lanes of traffic to be used by the different types of vehicles permitted upon said highways;

(3) Stopping, standing, and parking of vehicles;

(4) Control of traffic by means of police officers or traffic control signals;

(5) Control or prohibition of processions, convoys, and assemblages of vehicles and persons;

(6) Movement of traffic in one direction only on designated portions of said highways;

(7) Control of the access, entrance, and exit of vehicles and persons to and from said highways; and

(8) Preparation, location and installation of all traffic signs; and to prescribe further rules and regulations applicable to such traffic, concerning matters not provided for either in the foregoing enumeration or in the Illinois Vehicle Code. Notice of such rules and regulations shall be posted conspicuously and displayed at appropriate points and at reasonable intervals along said highways, by clearly legible markers or signs, to provide notice of the existence of such rules and regulations to persons traveling on said highways. At each toll station, the Authority shall make available, free of charge, pamphlets containing all of such rules and regulations.

(c) The Authority, in fixing the rate for tolls for the privilege of using the said toll highways, is authorized and directed, in fixing such rates, to base the same upon annual estimates to be made, recorded and filed with the Authority. Said estimates shall include the following: The estimated total amount of the use of the toll highways; the estimated amount of the revenue to be derived therefrom, which said revenue, when added to all other receipts and income, will be sufficient to pay the expense of maintaining and operating said toll highways, including the administrative expenses of the Authority, and to discharge all obligations of the Authority as they become due and payable.

(d) To accept from any municipality or political subdivision any lands, easements or rights in land needed for the operation, construction, relocation or maintenance of any toll highways, with or without payment therefor, and in its discretion to reimburse any such municipality or political subdivision out of its funds for any cost or expense incurred in the acquisition of land, easements or rights in land, in connection with the construction and relocation of the said toll highways, widening, extending roads, streets or avenues in connection therewith, or for the construction of any roads or streets forming extension to and connections with or between any toll highways, or for the cost or expense of widening, grading, surfacing or improving any existing streets or roads or the construction of any streets and roads forming extensions of or connections with any toll highways constructed, relocated, operated, maintained or regulated hereunder by the Authority. Where property owned by a municipality or political subdivision is necessary to the construction of an approved toll highway, if the Authority cannot reach an agreement with such municipality or political subdivision and if the use to which the property is being put in the hands of the municipality or political subdivision is not essential to the existence or the administration of such municipality or political subdivision, the Authority may acquire the property by condemnation.

(Source: P.A. 94-636, eff. 8-22-05.)

Section 10. The Illinois Vehicle Code is amended by changing Sections 3-413, 3-702, 3-704.2, 6-303, 6-306.7, 12-503, and 12-610.5 and adding Section 12-610.6 as follows:

(625 ILCS 5/3-413) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 3-413)

Sec. 3-413. Display of registration plates, registration stickers and drive-away permits.

(a) Registration plates issued for a motor vehicle other than a motorcycle, trailer, semitrailer, truck-tractor, apportioned bus, or apportioned truck shall be attached thereto, one in the front and one in the rear. The registration plate issued for a motorcycle, trailer or semitrailer required to be registered hereunder and any apportionment plate issued to a bus under the provisions of this Code shall be attached to the rear thereof. The registration plate issued for a truck-tractor or an apportioned truck required to be registered hereunder shall be attached to the front thereof.

(b) Every registration plate shall at all times be securely fastened in a horizontal position to the vehicle for which it is issued so as to prevent the plate from swinging and at a height of not less than 5 inches from the ground, measuring from the bottom of such plate, in a place and position to be clearly visible and shall be maintained in a condition to be clearly legible, free from any materials that would obstruct the visibility or electronic image recording of the plate, including, but not limited to, glass covers and tinted plastic covers and any covers, coating, wrappings, materials, streaking, distorting, holographic, reflective or other devices that obstructs the visibility or electronic image recording of the plate. This subsection (b) shall not apply to automatic vehicle identification transponder devices, cards or chips issued by a governmental body for the purpose of electronic payment of tolls or other authorized payments, the exemption of which shall preempt any local legislation to the contrary. Clear plastic covers are permissible as long as they remain clear and do not obstruct the visibility or electronic image recording of the plates. If a Department of State Police Officer or local law enforcement officer having jurisdiction observes that a cover or other device or material or substance is obstructing the visibility or electronic image recording of the plate, the officer shall issue a Uniform Traffic Citation and shall confiscate the cover or other device that obstructs the visibility or electronic image recording of the plate. If the Department of State Police Officer or local law enforcement officer having jurisdiction observes that the plate itself has been physically treated with a substance or material that is obstructing the visibility or electronic image recording of the plate, the officer shall issue a Uniform Traffic Citation and shall confiscate the plate. A fine of $750 shall be imposed in any instance where a plate cover obstructs the visibility or electronic image recording of the plate. A fine of $1,000 shall be imposed where a plate has been physically altered with any chemical or reflective substance or coating that obstructs the visibility or electronic image recording of the plate. The Secretary of State shall revoke the registration of any plate that has been found by a court or administrative tribunal to have been physically altered with any chemical or reflective substance or coating that obstructs the visibility or electronic image recording of the plate. Registration stickers issued as evidence of renewed annual registration shall be attached to registration plates as required by the Secretary of State, and be clearly visible at all times.

The Illinois Attorney General may file suit against any individual or entity offering or marketing the sale, including via the Internet, of any product advertised as having the capacity to obstruct the visibility or electronic image recording of a license plate. In addition to injunctive and monetary relief, punitive damages and attorneys fees, the suit shall also seek a full accounting of the records of all sales to residents of or entities within the State of Illinois.

(c) Every drive-away permit issued pursuant to this Code shall be firmly attached to the motor vehicle in the manner prescribed by the Secretary of State. If a drive-away permit is affixed to a motor vehicle in any other manner the permit shall be void and of no effect.

(d) The Illinois prorate decal issued to a foreign registered vehicle part of a fleet prorated or apportioned with Illinois, shall be displayed on a registration plate and displayed on the front of such vehicle in the same manner as an Illinois registration plate.

(e) The registration plate issued for a camper body mounted on a truck displaying registration plates shall be attached to the rear of the camper body.

(f) No person shall operate a vehicle, nor permit the operation of a vehicle, upon which is displayed an Illinois registration plate, plates or registration stickers after the termination of the registration period for which issued or after the expiration date set pursuant to Sections 3-414 and 3-414.1 of this Code.

(Source: P.A. 92-668, eff. 1-1-03; 92-680, eff. 7-16-02; revised 10-2-02.)

(625 ILCS 5/3-702) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 3-702)

Sec. 3-702. Operation of vehicle when registration cancelled, suspended or revoked.

(a) No person shall operate, nor shall an owner knowingly permit to be operated, upon any highway:

(1) A vehicle the registration of which has been cancelled, suspended or revoked; or

(2) A vehicle properly registered in another Reciprocal State, the foreign registration of which, or the Illinois Reciprocity Permit or Decal of which, has been cancelled, suspended or revoked.

(b) No person shall use, nor shall any owner use or knowingly permit the use of any Illinois registration plate, plates or registration sticker, or any Illinois Reciprocity Permit or Prorate Decal which has been cancelled, suspended or revoked.

(c) Any violation of this Section is a Class A misdemeanor unless:

1. the registration of the motor vehicle has been suspended for noninsurance, then the provisions of Section 3-708 of this Code apply in lieu of this Section.

2. the registration of the motor vehicle has been suspended for failure to purchase a vehicle tax sticker pursuant to Section 3-704.1 of this Code, then the violation shall be considered a business offense and the person shall be required to pay a fine in excess of $500, but not more than $1,000.

(d) Any person whose suspension was based on Section 3-704.2 of this Code relating to unpaid toll violations, in addition to other penalties imposed under this Section, shall have his or her motor vehicle immediately impounded by the arresting law enforcement officer. The motor vehicle may be released to any licensed driver upon a showing of proof of payment in full of all fines, penalties and fees related to the unpaid toll violations and the notarized written consent for the release by the vehicle owner.

(Source: P.A. 86-149; 87-1225.)

(625 ILCS 5/3-704.2)

Sec. 3-704.2. Failure to satisfy fines or penalties for toll violations or evasions; suspension of vehicle registration.

(a) Upon receipt of a certified report, as prescribed by subsection (c) of this Section, from the Authority stating that the owner of a registered vehicle has failed to satisfy any fine or penalty resulting from a final order issued by the Authority relating directly or indirectly to 5 or more toll violations, toll evasions, or both, the Secretary of State shall suspend the vehicle registration of the person in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section.

(b) Following receipt of the certified report of the Authority as specified in the Section, the Secretary of State shall notify the person whose name appears on the certified report that the person's vehicle registration will be suspended at the end of a specified period unless the Secretary of State is presented with a notice from the Authority certifying that the fines or penalties and other costs incurred by the Authority due to the suspension proceedings, including but not limited to the filing fees and hearing fees paid by the Authority to the Secretary of State, owing the Authority have been satisfied or that inclusion of that person's name on the certified report was in error. The Secretary's notice shall state in substance the information contained in the Authority's certified report to the Secretary, and shall be effective as specified by subsection (c) of Section 6-211 of this Code.

(c) The report from the Authority notifying the Secretary of unsatisfied fines or penalties pursuant to this Section shall be certified and shall contain the following:

(1) The name and , last known address, as recorded in the Secretary of State's vehicle registration records, and driver's license number of the person who failed to satisfy the fines or penalties and the registration number of any vehicle known to be registered in this State to that person.

(2) A statement that the Authority sent a notice of impending suspension of the person's driver's license, vehicle registration, or both, as prescribed by rules enacted pursuant to subsection (a-5) of Section 10 of the Toll Highway Act, to the person named in the report at the address recorded with the Secretary of State's vehicle registrator records State; the date on which the notice was sent; and the address to which the notice was sent.

(d) The Authority, after making a certified report to the Secretary pursuant to this Section, shall notify the Secretary, on a form prescribed by the Secretary, whenever a person named in the certified report has satisfied the previously reported fines or penalties and other costs incurred by the Authority due to the suspension proceedings, including but not limited to the filing fees and hearing fees paid by the Authority to the Secretary of State, or whenever the Authority determines that the original report was in error. A certified copy of the notification shall also be given upon request and at no additional charge to the person named therein. Upon receipt of the Authority's notification or presentation of a certified copy of the notification, the Secretary shall terminate the suspension.

(e) The Authority shall, by rule, establish procedures for persons to challenge the accuracy of the certified report made pursuant to this Section. The rule shall also provide the grounds for a challenge, which may be limited to:

(1) the person not having been the owner or lessee of the vehicle or vehicles receiving 5 or more toll violations violation or toll evasions evasion notices on the date of the violations in the notice or dates the notices were issued; or

(2) the person having already satisfied the fines or penalties for the 5 or more toll violations or toll evasions indicated on the certified report.

(f) All notices sent by the Authority to persons involved in administrative adjudications, hearings, and final orders issued pursuant to rules implementing subsection (a-5) of Section 10 of the Toll Highway Act shall state that failure to satisfy any fine or penalty imposed by the Authority shall result in the Secretary of State suspending the driving privileges, vehicle registration, or both, of the person failing to satisfy the fines or penalties imposed by the Authority.

(g) A person may request an administrative hearing to contest an impending suspension or a suspension made pursuant to this Section upon filing a written request with the Secretary. The filing fee for this hearing is $20, to be paid at the time of the request. The Authority shall reimburse the Secretary for all reasonable costs incurred by the Secretary as a result of the filing of a certified report pursuant to this Section, including, but not limited to, the costs of providing notice required pursuant to subsection (b) and the costs incurred by the Secretary in any hearing conducted with respect to the report pursuant to this subsection and any appeal from that hearing.

(h) The Secretary and the Authority may promulgate rules to enable them to carry out their duties under this Section.

(i) The Authority shall cooperate with the Secretary in the administration of this Section and shall provide the Secretary with any information the Secretary may deem necessary for these purposes, including regular and timely access to toll violation enforcement records.

The Secretary shall cooperate with the Authority in the administration of this Section and shall provide the Authority with any information the Authority may deem necessary for the purposes of this Section, including regular and timely access to vehicle registration records. Section 2-123 of this Code shall not apply to the provision of this information, but the Secretary shall be reimbursed for the cost of providing this information.

(j) For purposes of this Section, the term "Authority" means the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority.

(k) This Section may be extended to other toll facilities in the State of Illinois through a duly executed agreement between the Authority and the operator of the toll facility.

(Source: P.A. 91-277, eff. 1-1-00.)

(625 ILCS 5/6-303) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 6-303)

Sec. 6-303. Driving while driver's license, permit or privilege to operate a motor vehicle is suspended or revoked.

(a) Any person who drives or is in actual physical control of a motor vehicle on any highway of this State at a time when such person's driver's license, permit or privilege to do so or the privilege to obtain a driver's license or permit is revoked or suspended as provided by this Code or the law of another state, except as may be specifically allowed by a judicial driving permit, family financial responsibility driving permit, probationary license to drive, or a restricted driving permit issued pursuant to this Code or under the law of another state, shall be guilty of a Class A misdemeanor.

(b) The Secretary of State upon receiving a report of the conviction of any violation indicating a person was operating a motor vehicle during the time when said person's driver's license, permit or privilege was suspended by the Secretary, by the appropriate authority of another state, or pursuant to Section 11-501.1; except as may be specifically allowed by a probationary license to drive, judicial driving permit or restricted driving permit issued pursuant to this Code or the law of another state; shall extend the suspension for the same period of time as the originally imposed suspension; however, if the period of suspension has then expired, the Secretary shall be authorized to suspend said person's driving privileges for the same period of time as the originally imposed suspension; and if the conviction was upon a charge which indicated that a vehicle was operated during the time when the person's driver's license, permit or privilege was revoked; except as may be allowed by a restricted driving permit issued pursuant to this Code or the law of another state; the Secretary shall not issue a driver's license for an additional period of one year from the date of such conviction indicating such person was operating a vehicle during such period of revocation.

(c) Any person convicted of violating this Section shall serve a minimum term of imprisonment of 10 consecutive days or 30 days of community service when the person's driving privilege was revoked or suspended as a result of:

(1) a violation of Section 11-501 of this Code or a similar provision of a local ordinance relating to the offense of operating or being in physical control of a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, any other drug or any combination thereof; or

(2) a violation of paragraph (b) of Section 11-401 of this Code or a similar provision of a local ordinance relating to the offense of leaving the scene of a motor vehicle accident involving personal injury or death; or

(3) a violation of Section 9-3 of the Criminal Code of 1961, as amended, relating to the offense of reckless homicide; or

(4) a statutory summary suspension under Section 11-501.1 of this Code.

Such sentence of imprisonment or community service shall not be subject to suspension in order to reduce such sentence.

(c-1) Except as provided in subsection (d), any person convicted of a second violation of this Section shall be ordered by the court to serve a minimum of 100 hours of community service.

(c-2) In addition to other penalties imposed under this Section, the court may impose on any person convicted a fourth time of violating this Section any of the following:

(1) Seizure of the license plates of the person's vehicle.

(2) Immobilization of the person's vehicle for a period of time to be determined by the court.

(d) Any person convicted of a second violation of this Section shall be guilty of a Class 4 felony and shall serve a minimum term of imprisonment of 30 days or 300 hours of community service, as determined by the court, if the revocation or suspension was for a violation of Section 11-401 or 11-501 of this Code, or a similar out-of-state offense, or a similar provision of a local ordinance, a violation of Section 9-3 of the Criminal Code of 1961, relating to the offense of reckless homicide, or a similar out-of-state offense, or a statutory summary suspension under Section 11-501.1 of this Code.

(d-1) Except as provided in subsection (d-2) and subsection (d-3), any person convicted of a third or subsequent violation of this Section shall serve a minimum term of imprisonment of 30 days or 300 hours of community service, as determined by the court.

(d-2) Any person convicted of a third violation of this Section is guilty of a Class 4 felony and must serve a minimum term of imprisonment of 30 days if the revocation or suspension was for a violation of Section 11-401 or 11-501 of this Code, or a similar out-of-state offense, or a similar provision of a local ordinance, a violation of Section 9-3 of the Criminal Code of 1961, relating to the offense of reckless homicide, or a similar out-of-state offense, or a statutory summary suspension under Section 11-501.1 of this Code.

(d-3) Any person convicted of a fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, or ninth violation of this Section is guilty of a Class 4 felony and must serve a minimum term of imprisonment of 180 days if the revocation or suspension was for a violation of Section 11-401 or 11-501 of this Code, or a similar out-of-state offense, or a similar provision of a local ordinance, a violation of Section 9-3 of the Criminal Code of 1961, relating to the offense of reckless homicide, or a similar out-of-state offense, or a statutory summary suspension under Section 11-501.1 of this Code.

(d-4) Any person convicted of a tenth, eleventh, twelfth, thirteenth, or fourteenth violation of this Section is guilty of a Class 3 felony, and is not eligible for probation or conditional discharge, if the revocation or suspension was for a violation of Section 11-401 or 11-501 of this Code, or a similar out-of-state offense, or a similar provision of a local ordinance, a violation of Section 9-3 of the Criminal Code of 1961, relating to the offense of reckless homicide, or a similar out-of-state offense, or a statutory summary suspension under Section 11-501.1 of this Code.

(d-5) Any person convicted of a fifteenth or subsequent violation of this Section is guilty of a Class 2 felony, and is not eligible for probation or conditional discharge, if the revocation or suspension was for a violation of Section 11-401 or 11-501 of this Code, or a similar out-of-state offense, or a similar provision of a local ordinance, a violation of Section 9-3 of the Criminal Code of 1961, relating to the offense of reckless homicide, or a similar out-of-state offense, or a statutory summary suspension under Section 11-501.1 of this Code.

(e) Any person in violation of this Section who is also in violation of Section 7-601 of this Code relating to mandatory insurance requirements, in addition to other penalties imposed under this Section, shall have his or her motor vehicle immediately impounded by the arresting law enforcement officer. The motor vehicle may be released to any licensed driver upon a showing of proof of insurance for the vehicle that was impounded and the notarized written consent for the release by the vehicle owner.

(f) For any prosecution under this Section, a certified copy of the driving abstract of the defendant shall be admitted as proof of any prior conviction.

(g) The motor vehicle used in a violation of this Section is subject to seizure and forfeiture as provided in Sections 36-1 and 36-2 of the Criminal Code of 1961 if the person's driving privilege was revoked or suspended as a result of a violation listed in paragraph (1), (2), or (3) of subsection (c) of this Section or as a result of a summary suspension as provided in paragraph (4) of subsection (c) of this Section.

(h) Any person whose suspension was based on Section 6-306.7 of this Code relating to unpaid toll violations, in addition to other penalties imposed under this Section, shall have his or her motor vehicle immediately impounded by the arresting law enforcement officer. The motor vehicle may be released to any licensed driver upon a showing of proof of payment in full of all fines, penalties, and fees related to the unpaid toll violations and the notarized written consent for the release by the vehicle owner.

(Source: P.A. 94-112, eff. 1-1-06.)

(625 ILCS 5/6-306.7)

Sec. 6-306.7. Failure to satisfy fines or penalties for toll violations or evasions; suspension of driving privileges.

(a) Upon receipt of a certified report, as prescribed by subsection (c) of this Section, from the Authority stating that the owner of a registered vehicle has failed to satisfy any fine or penalty resulting from a final order issued by the Authority relating directly or indirectly to 5 or more toll violations, toll evasions, or both, the Secretary of State shall suspend the driving privileges of the person in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section.

(b) Following receipt of the certified report of the Authority as specified in the Section, the Secretary of State shall notify the person whose name appears on the certified report that the person's driver's license will be suspended at the end of a specified period unless the Secretary of State is presented with a notice from the Authority certifying that the fines or penalties and other costs incurred by the Authority due to the suspension proceedings, including but not limited to the filing fees and hearing fees paid by the Authority to the Secretary of State, owing the Authority have been satisfied or that inclusion of that person's name on the certified report was in error. The Secretary's notice shall state in substance the information contained in the Authority's certified report to the Secretary, and shall be effective as specified by subsection (c) of Section 6-211 of this Code, except as to those drivers who also have been issued a CDL. If a person also has been issued a CDL, notice of suspension of that person's driver's license must be given in writing by certified mail and is effective on the date listed in the notice of suspension, except that the notice is not effective until 4 days after the date on which the notice was deposited into the United States mail. The notice becomes effective 4 days after its deposit into the United States mail regardless of whether the Secretary of State receives the return receipt and regardless of whether the written notification is returned for any reason to the Secretary of State as undeliverable.

(c) The report from the Authority notifying the Secretary of unsatisfied fines or penalties pursuant to this Section shall be certified and shall contain the following:

(1) The name and , last known address, as recorded in the Secretary of State's vehicle registration records, and driver's license number of the person who failed to satisfy the fines or penalties and the registration number of any vehicle known to be registered in this State to that person.

(2) A statement that the Authority sent a notice of impending suspension of the person's driver's license, vehicle registration, or both, as prescribed by rules enacted pursuant to subsection (a-5) of Section 10 of the Toll Highway Act, to the person named in the report at the address recorded with the Secretary of State's vehicle registration records State; the date on which the notice was sent; and the address to which the notice was sent.

(d) The Authority, after making a certified report to the Secretary pursuant to this Section, shall notify the Secretary, on a form prescribed by the Secretary, whenever a person named in the certified report has satisfied the previously reported fines or penalties and other costs incurred by the Authority due to the suspension proceedings, including but not limited to the filing fees and hearing fees paid by the Authority to the Secretary of State, or whenever the Authority determines that the original report was in error. A certified copy of the notification shall also be given upon request and at no additional charge to the person named therein. Upon receipt of the Authority's notification or presentation of a certified copy of the notification, the Secretary shall terminate the suspension.

(e) The Authority shall, by rule, establish procedures for persons to challenge the accuracy of the certified report made pursuant to this Section. The rule shall also provide the grounds for a challenge, which may be limited to:

(1) the person not having been the owner or lessee of the vehicle or vehicles receiving 5 or more toll violations or toll evasions evasion notices on the date of the violations in the notices or dates the notices were issued; or

(2) the person having already satisfied the fines or penalties for the 5 or more toll violations or toll evasions indicated on the certified report.

(f) All notices sent by the Authority to persons involved in administrative adjudications, hearings, and final orders issued pursuant to rules implementing subsection (a-5) of Section 10 of the Toll Highway Act shall state that failure to satisfy any fine or penalty imposed by the Authority shall result in the Secretary of State suspending the driving privileges, vehicle registration, or both, of the person failing to satisfy the fines or penalties imposed by the Authority.

(g) A person may request an administrative hearing to contest an impending suspension or a suspension made pursuant to this Section upon filing a written request with the Secretary. The filing fee for this hearing is $20, to be paid at the time of the request. The Authority shall reimburse the Secretary for all reasonable costs incurred by the Secretary as a result of the filing of a certified report pursuant to this Section, including, but not limited to, the costs of providing notice required pursuant to subsection (b) and the costs incurred by the Secretary in any hearing conducted with respect to the report pursuant to this subsection and any appeal from that hearing.

(h) The Secretary and the Authority may promulgate rules to enable them to carry out their duties under this Section.

(i) The Authority shall cooperate with the Secretary in the administration of this Section and shall provide the Secretary with any information the Secretary may deem necessary for these purposes, including regular and timely access to toll violation enforcement records.

The Secretary shall cooperate with the Authority in the administration of this Section and shall provide the Authority with any information the Authority may deem necessary for the purposes of this Section, including regular and timely access to vehicle registration records. Section 2-123 of this Code shall not apply to the provision of this information, but the Secretary shall be reimbursed for the cost of providing this information.

(j) For purposes of this Section, the term "Authority" means the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority.

(k) This Section may be extended to other toll facilities in the State of Illinois through a duly executed agreement between the Authority and the operator of the toll facility.

(Source: P.A. 94-218, eff. 7-1-06.)

(625 ILCS 5/12-503) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 12-503)

Sec. 12-503. Windshields must be unobstructed and equipped with wipers.

(a) No person shall drive a motor vehicle with any sign, poster, window application, reflective material, nonreflective material or tinted film upon the front windshield, sidewings or side windows immediately adjacent to each side of the driver. A nonreflective tinted film may be used along the uppermost portion of the windshield if such material does not extend more than 6 inches down from the top of the windshield. Nothing in this Section shall create a cause of action on behalf of a buyer against a dealer or manufacturer who sells a motor vehicle with a window which is in violation of this Section.

(b) Nothing contained in this Section shall prohibit the use of nonreflective, smoked or tinted glass, nonreflective film, perforated window screen or other decorative window application on windows to the rear of the driver's seat, except that any motor vehicle with a window to the rear of the driver's seat treated in this manner shall be equipped with a side mirror on each side of the motor vehicle which are in conformance with Section 12-502.

(c) No person shall drive a motor vehicle with any objects placed or suspended between the driver and the front windshield, rear window, side wings or side windows immediately adjacent to each side of the driver which materially obstructs the driver's view. This subsection (c) does not apply to automatic vehicle identification transponder devices, cards, or chips, issued by a governmental body for the purpose of electronic payment of tolls or other authorized payments, the exemption of which preempts any local legislation to the contrary.

(d) Every motor vehicle, except motorcycles, shall be equipped with a device, controlled by the driver, for cleaning rain, snow, moisture or other obstructions from the windshield; and no person shall drive a motor vehicle with snow, ice, moisture or other material on any of the windows or mirrors, which materially obstructs the driver's clear view of the highway.

(e) No person shall drive a motor vehicle when the windshield, side or rear windows are in such defective condition or repair as to materially impair the driver's view to the front, side or rear. A vehicle equipped with a side mirror on each side of the vehicle which are in conformance with Section 12-502 will be deemed to be in compliance in the event the rear window of the vehicle is materially obscured.

(f) Paragraphs (a) and (b) of this Section shall not apply to:

(1) motor vehicles manufactured prior to January 1, 1982; or

(2) to those motor vehicles properly registered in another jurisdiction.

(g) Paragraph (a) of this Section shall not apply to any motor vehicle with a window treatment, including but not limited to a window application, reflective material, nonreflective material, or tinted film, applied or affixed to the motor vehicle for the purposes set forth in item (1) or (2) before the effective date of this amendatory Act of 1997 and:

(1) that is owned and operated by a person afflicted with or suffering from a medical illness, ailment, or disease which would require that person to be shielded from the direct rays of the sun; or

(2) that is used in transporting a person when the person resides at the same address as the registered owner of the vehicle and the person is afflicted with or suffering from a medical illness, ailment or disease which would require the person to be shielded from the direct rays of the sun;

It must be certified by a physician licensed to practice medicine in Illinois that such person owning and operating or being transported in a motor vehicle is afflicted with or suffers from such illness, ailment, or disease and such certification must be carried in the motor vehicle at all times. The certification shall be legible and shall contain the date of issuance, the name, address and signature of the attending physician, and the name, address, and medical condition of the person requiring exemption. The information on the certificate for a window treatment applied or affixed before the effective date of this amendatory Act of 1997 must remain current and shall be renewed annually by the attending physician, but in no event shall a certificate issued for purposes of this subsection be valid on or after January 1, 2008. The person shall also submit a copy of the certification to the Secretary of State. The Secretary of State may forward notice of certification to law enforcement agencies.

This subsection shall not be construed to authorize window treatments applied or affixed on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act of 1997.

The exemption provided by this subsection (g) shall not apply to any motor vehicle on and after January 1, 2008.

This subsection (g) does not apply to the exemption set forth in subsection (g-5).

(g-5) Paragraph (a) of this Section does not apply to any motor vehicle with a window treatment, including but not limited to a window application, reflective material, nonreflective material, or tinted film, applied or affixed to a motor vehicle that:

(i) is owned and operated by a person afflicted with or suffering from systemic or discoid lupus erythematosus or albinism; or

(ii) is used in transporting a person who resides at the same address as the registered owner and is afflicted with or suffers from systemic or discoid lupus erythematosus or albinism.

It must be certified by a physician licensed to practice medicine in Illinois that the person owning and operating or being transported in a motor vehicle is afflicted with or suffers from systemic or discoid lupus erythematosus or albinism and the certification must be carried in the motor vehicle at all times. The certification shall be legible and shall contain the date of issuance, the name, address, and signature of the attending physician, and the name, address, and medical condition of the person requiring exemption. The information on the certificate for a window treatment must remain current and shall be renewed annually by the attending physician. The owner of the vehicle shall also submit a copy of the certification to the Secretary of State. The Secretary of State may forward notice of certification to law enforcement agencies.

(h) Paragraph (a) of this Section shall not apply to motor vehicle stickers or other certificates issued by State or local authorities which are required to be displayed upon motor vehicle windows to evidence compliance with requirements concerning motor vehicles.

(i) Those motor vehicles exempted under paragraph (f)(1) of this Section shall not cause their windows to be treated as described in paragraph (a) after January 1, 1993.

(j) A person found guilty of violating paragraphs (a), (b), or (i) of this Section shall be guilty of a petty offense and fined no less than $50 nor more than $500. A second or subsequent violation of paragraphs (a), (b), or (i) of this Section shall be treated as a Class C misdemeanor and the violator fined no less than $100 nor more than $500. Any person convicted under paragraphs (a), (b), or (i) of this Section shall be ordered to alter any nonconforming windows into compliance with this Section.

(Source: P.A. 94-564, eff. 8-12-05.)

(625 ILCS 5/12-610.5)

Sec. 12-610.5. Registration plate covers.

(a) In this Section, "registration plate cover" means any tinted, colored, painted, marked, clear, reflective, holographic, beveled, streaked, layered, or illuminated object that is designed to:

(1) cover any of the characters of a motor vehicle's registration plate; or

(2) distort a recorded image of any of the characters of a motor vehicle's registration plate recorded by an automated red light enforcement system as defined in Section 1-105.5 of this Code, or recorded by an automated traffic control system as defined in Section 15 of the Automated Traffic Control Systems in Highway Construction or Maintenance Zones Act, or recorded by a video or photo surveillance system as provided in subsection (a-5) of Section 10 of the Toll Highway Act.

(b) It shall be unlawful to operate any motor vehicle that is equipped with registration plate covers.

(c) A person may not sell or offer for sale a registration plate cover.

(d) A person may not advertise for the purpose of promoting the sale of registration plate covers.

(e) A violation of this Section or a similar provision of a local ordinance shall be an offense against laws and ordinances regulating the movement of traffic.

(Source: P.A. 94-304, eff. 1-1-06.)

(625 ILCS 5/12-610.6 new)

Sec. 12-610.6. Registration plate spray and other recorded image distorting material.

(a) In this Section, "registration plate spray or other recorded image distorting material" means any spray, chemical, substance, or other material that is designed to:

(1) cover any of the characters of a motor vehicle's registration plate; or

(2) distort a recorded image of any of the characters of a motor vehicle's registration plate recorded by (i) an automated red light enforcement system as defined in Section 1-105.5 of this Code, (ii) an automated traffic control system as defined in Section 15 of the Automated Traffic Control Systems in Highway Construction or Maintenance Zone Act, or (iii) a video or photo surveillance system as provided in subsection (a-5) of Section 10 of the Toll Highway Act.

(b) It shall be unlawful to operate any motor vehicle that is equipped with registration plate that has been treated with a spray or other image recording distorting material.

(c) A person may not sell or offer for sale a registration plate spray or other image recording distorting material.

(d) A person may not advertise for the purpose of promoting the sale of registration plate spray or other image recording distorting material.

(e) A violation of this Section or a similar provision of a local ordinance is an offense against laws and ordinances regulating the movement of traffic.

(f) The Illinois Attorney General may file suit against any person offering, advertising, or marketing the sale, including via the Internet, of any product advertised as having the capacity to obstruct the visibility or electronic image recording of a license plate. In addition to injunctive and monetary relief, punitive damages, and attorneys fees, the suit shall also seek a full accounting of the records of all sales to residents of or entities within the State of Illinois.

(g) The Secretary of State shall revoke the registration of any plate that has been found to be in violation of subsection (b) of this Section.