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NEWS
From the Illinois State Senate
State Senator John Sullivan, 47th Legislative District
For Immediate Release: August 17, 2012
SPRINGFIELD, IL – State Senator John Sullivan (D-Rushville) was pleased that House Bill 4863, which he sponsored along with Representative Norine Hammond (R-Macomb), became law today. Sen. Sullivan and Rep. Hammond worked with Hancock County State’s Attorney Jim Drozdz to toughen state law so officers can seize a vehicle from a driver who has been convicted outside Illinois of driving under the influence (or another serious crime) and is driving on Illinois roads with a suspended or revoked license.
“The intent of this law is to close a loophole that previously allowed drivers with out-of-state convictions to avoid receiving the same punishment as drivers with in-state convictions,” Sen. Sullivan said. “Particularly in border areas like Hancock County, it’s important to give Illinois law enforcement officers authority to keep individuals – from any state – who legally should not be behind the wheel off our roads.”
Current law allows a car to be seized if the driver’s license was suspended or revoked because of a conviction under Illinois state law for DUI, reckless homicide, or leaving the scene of a serious accident. The new law adds local ordinances and other states’ laws, so a person driving with a suspended or revoked license will still be subject to vehicle seizure and forfeiture, even if convicted across state lines.
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