Senate Sponsors: FAWELL-CULLERTON-RADOGNO-KARPIEL-SHADID AND SEVERNS. House Sponsors: WOOD-LYONS,JOSEPH-PANKAU-SCOTT-ERWIN Short description: GRADUATED DRIVERS LICENSING Synopsis of Bill as introduced: Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code in relation to the definition of a "serious traffic violation", the purpose of having a Graduated Licensing Program, the requirements for the issuance of a driver's license to an applicant under 18 years of age, the number of passengers allowed for a license holder under 18 years of age, seat belts for license holders and their passengers under 18 years of age, instruction permits for minors, adoption of rules by the Secretary of State for graduated licenses, the issuance of distinct licenses to persons under 21 years of age, the prohibition on issuing, renewing, or allowing the retention of a license or permit to minors, reporting any disposition of court supervision for persons under 21 years of age to the Secretary, the prohibition on issuing a restricted driving permit to a person under 16 years of age or a judicial driving permit to a person under 18 years of age, the suspension and revocation of driving privileges, and the prohibition on issuing a family financial responsibility driving permit to a person under 16 years of age who possesses an instruction permit. Amends the Child Passenger Protection Act to provide that every person under 18 years of age, when transporting a child 6 years of age or older but under the age of 18, shall be responsible for securing that child in a properly adjusted and fastened seat safety belt. Amends the Unified Code of Corrections to provide that provisions concerning a court entering an order for supervision of a defendant does not apply to a defendant charged with violating a serious traffic offense if the defendant is under 18 years of age or the defendant is between 18 and 20 years of age and has previously been sentenced to supervision or been convicted for a serious traffic offense. Effective January 1, 1998. SENATE AMENDMENT NO. 1. Removes provision concerning a motor vehicle not being stopped or searched by a law enforcement officer solely on the basis of not wearing a seat safety belt only being applicable to drivers and passengers 18 years of age and older. SENATE AMENDMENT NO. 2. Makes changes to the definition of "serious traffic violation". Provides that an instruction permit may be issued to a child who is at least 15 years and 6 months of age if certain requirements are met. Provides that the Secretary of State may issue a regular instruction permit to a person 18 years of age or older (instead of to a person). Provides that an instruction permit entitles the holder to drive a motor vehicle when accompanied by a licensed driver who is 21 years of age or older (instead of a licensed driver). Provides that an instruction permit for a motorcycle may be issued to a person 18 years of age or more and entitles the holder to drive during daylight under the supervision of a licensed operator with the same or greater classification, who is 21 years of age or older and who has at least one year of driving experience. Provides that an instruction permit for a motor driven cycle may be issued to a person 18 (instead of 21) years of age or more. Provides that no permit shall be issued to an applicant under 18 years of age who has committed the offense of operating a motor vehicle without a valid license or permit, who has committed an offense that would otherwise result in mandatory revocation of a license or permit, or who has been either convicted of or adjudicated a delinquent based upon a violation of the Cannabis Control Act or the Illinois Controlled Substances Act while the individual was in control of a motor vehicle. Provides that no graduated license holder or person under the age of 18 years shall operate a motor vehicle, except for a motor driven cycle or motorcycle (instead of a first division motor vehicle titled or licensed by the Secretary), with more than one passenger in the front seat and no more passengers in the back seats than the number of available seat safety belts. Provides that the Secretary may suspend or revoke a person's driving privileges upon a showing that the person has operated a motor vehicle when the person's permit was invalid under provisions concerning an instruction permit for a minor. Provides that a driver under the age of 18 years operating a second division vehicle having a gross weight rating of 8,000 pounds or less that contains only a front seat may operate the vehicle with more than one passenger in the front seat, provided that each passenger is wearing a seat belt. Provides that provisions concerning a court entering an order for supervision of a defendant do not apply to a defendant under the age of 21 years charged with violating a serious traffic offense unless the defendant completes a traffic safety program or if the defendant has previously been sentenced to supervision for a serious traffic offense (instead of the provisions not applying if the defendant is under 18 years of age or the defendant is between 18 and 20 years of age and has previously been sentenced to supervision or been convicted of a serious traffic offense). HOUSE AMENDMENT NO. 1. Provides that the maximum fine for a violation of the provisions requiring drivers and passengers to use seat belts is $25 (instead of $55). Last action on Bill: PUBLIC ACT.............................. 90-0369 Last action date: 97-08-13 Location: Senate Amendments to Bill: AMENDMENTS ADOPTED: HOUSE - 1 SENATE - 2 END OF INQUIRY Full Text Bill Status