Publications

Illinois Bar Journal
Articles on Vehicle Code

Commercial drivers may not text or use cell phones while driving. PA 097-0829 October 2012 Illinois Law Update, Page 520 Illinois lawmakers have amended the Illinois Vehicle Code to prohibit texting and limit the use of cell phones by commercial drivers (625 ILCS 5/6-500, 5/6-526 new, 527 new).
Drivers may not use cell phones within 500 feet of an emergency scene. PA 097-0828 October 2012 Illinois Law Update, Page 520 Illinois lawmakers have amended section 12-610.1 of the Illinois Vehicle Code to prohibit anyone, at anytime, regardless of age, from using a wireless telephone while operating a motor vehicle within 500 feet of an emergency scene (625 ILCS 5/12).
Undistracting drivers: First no texting, next no talking? By Adam W. Lasker March 2012 Lawpulse, Page 126 Will Illinois join the states that prohibit drivers from talking on cell phones and using other hand-held devices?
New rules for prosecuting local ordinance violations By Helen W. Gunnarsson January 2012 Lawpulse, Page 10 The new supreme court rules bring consistency to ordinance violation proceedings around the state, a proponent says.
Video transmitting equipment now allowed inside a vehicle. PA 097-0499 December 2011 Illinois Law Update, Page 610 Illinois lawmakers have amended the Illinois Vehicle Code to allow drivers to operate vehicles that have video transmitting equipment permanently installed as long as the driver is unable to see the equipment displays while driving. (625 ILCS 5/12-604.1)
Registration of vehicles used in gunrunning may be suspended. PA 097-0540. November 2011 Illinois Law Update, Page 556 Illinois lawmakers have amended the Illinois Vehicle Code to address the registration status of vehicles used in gunrunning violations (625 ILCS 5/3-704).
All driver's license applicants must provide social security numbers. PA 097-0263 October 2011 Illinois Law Update, Page 496 The Illinois Vehicle Code has been amended to remove the social security number exemption for all driver's license applicants. (625 ILCS 5/6-106, 6-110, and 6-510).
The bloody truth about DUI testing By Helen W. Gunnarsson October 2011 Lawpulse, Page 490 Just because the state has blood test results to use against your DUI client doesn't mean the case is over, a defense lawyer argues.
It is now unlawful to ride in towed vehicles. PA 097-0017 October 2011 Illinois Law Update, Page 496 Illinois lawmakers have amended the Illinois Vehicle Code to make it unlawful to ride in any vehicle while it is being towed on a public highway. (625 ILCS 5/11-1408)
Vehicle lessors not liable for automated traffic law enforcement system violations by lessees. PA 097-0029 October 2011 Illinois Law Update, Page 496 Illinois lawmakers have amended the Illinois Vehicle Code to relieve vehicle owners who leased their motor vehicles under a written lease agreement from liabilities for automated traffic law enforcement system violations. (625 ILCS 5/11-208.6).
Back seat passengers must wear seatbelts. PA 097-0016. September 2011 Illinois Law Update, Page 440 The Illinois Vehicle Code has been amended to require all passengers to wear safety belts. (625 ILCS 5/12-603.1). Formerly, the requirement only applied to a driver, front seat passenger, and other riders under the age of 19.
Increased fines for DUI offenders. PA 096-1342 August 2011 Illinois Law Update, Page 388 The Illinois Vehicle Code has been amended to increase the fine for anyone who is found guilty of or pleads guilty to driving under the influence. 625 ILCS 5/11-501.01.
Illinois Vehicle Code amended to change restrictions on vehicle window tinting. PA 096-1056. July 2011 Illinois Law Update, Page 336 Vehicle owners may tint or treat vehicle windows immediately adjacent to each side of the driver if the manufacturer of the vehicle originally installed the rear windows with nonreflective smoked or tinted glass.
Rules for non-highway vehicles used for farming purposes amended. PA 096-1434. July 2011 Illinois Law Update, Page 336 The Illinois Vehicle Code has been amended to modify restrictions for non-highway vehicles (625 ILCS 5/11-1426.1).
Drivers can avoid license suspension for traffic violations by beginning payment plans. PA 096-1184 June 2011 Illinois Law Update, Page 286 Illinois lawmakers have amended the Illinois Vehicle Code to authorize the Secretary of State to reinstate the driver's license of a person whose license was suspended for failure to pay traffic-related fines or penalties if the person enters into a payment plan with a municipality.
Certain articles inside towed motor vehicles exempted from possessor liens. PA 096-1506 May 2011 Illinois Law Update, Page 228 Illinois lawmakers have amended the Illinois Vehicle Code to exempt certain articles from being subjected to a possessor lien when a motor vehicle is towed. (625 ILCS 5/4-203).
Vehicle drivers must stop when pedestrian crosses street on vehicle's side of road. PA 096-1165 May 2011 Illinois Law Update, Page 228 The Illinois Vehicle Code has been amended to require vehicle drivers to stop the vehicle and yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian crossing a crosswalk on the vehicle's side of the road when there are no traffic control signals in operation. (625 ILCS 5/11-1002).
Change in Monitoring Device Driving Permit issuance procedure for DUI offenders. PA 096-1526 April 2011 Illinois Law Update, Page 180 The Illinois Vehicle Code has been amended to modify the Monitoring Device Driving Permit (MDDP) issuance procedure for first offenders arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or other intoxicating compounds.
Drivers must fasten safety belts for passengers unable to do it themselves. PA 096-0991 April 2011 Illinois Law Update, Page 180 Illinois lawmakers amended the Illinois Vehicle Code to require vehicle drivers to properly adjust and fasten seat safety belts for passengers who are unable to do it themselves. (625 ILCS 5/12-603.1).
Illinois Vehicle Code amended to raise Class B misdemeanor threshold for highway speeding. PA 096-1507 April 2011 Illinois Law Update, Page 180 It is now a Class B misdemeanor to drive between 31 miles and 39 miles per hour in excess of the maximum speed limit on an Illinois highway. (625 ILCS 5/11-601.5).
Accident reports to be provided to government agencies upon request. PA 096-1147 March 2011 Illinois Law Update, Page 124 The Illinois Vehicle Code has been amended to require the Department of Transportation to provide upon request copies of written accident reports to federal, state, and local agencies conducting highway safety research and studies. 625 ILCS 5/11-408.  
Change to DUI law would limit court involvement in MDDP process By Helen W. Gunnarsson February 2011 Lawpulse, Page 66 No longer will a court hearing or order be required for issuing a monitoring device driving permit if a new bill is signed into law.
Restrictions imposed on municipality or county-enacted automated traffic law ordinances. PA 096-1016 February 2011 Illinois Law Update, Page 72 The Illinois Vehicle Code has been amended to impose rules governing automated traffic law ordinances enacted by municipalities or counties. 625 ILCS 5/11-208.
Broken parking meters due to snow or ice may be defense for parking violation. PA 096-1256 January 2011 Illinois Law Update, Page 16 Changes to the Illinois Vehicle Code allow a defense for motorists cited with a parking violation if a parking meter malfunctions because of snow or ice. (625 ILCS 5/11-1307).
Penalties for unreasonable obstruction of parking place for disabled. PA 096-1125 December 2010 Illinois Law Update, Page 616 The Illinois Vehicle Code has been amended to hold property owners liable for unreasonable obstruction of designated aisles or parking spaces specifically reserved for persons with disabilities. 625 ILCS 5/11-1301.8.
Minimum penalty enacted for traffic offenses. PA 096-1462 November 2010 Illinois Law Update, Page 564 The Illinois Vehicle Code has been amended to include a minimum penalty for traffic offenses. 625 ILCS 5/16-104e.
Penalties stiffened for drunken supervisors of minors driving vehicles. PA 096-1237 November 2010 Illinois Law Update, Page 564 Supervisors of minors driving with instruction permits are now subject to stricter penalties if they use alcohol or drugs while accompanying or instructing the minors. (625 ILCS 5/11-507)  
Illinois motorists face stiffer penalties for driving recklessly near bicyclists. PA 096-1007 September 2010 Illinois Law Update, Page 452 Illinois bicyclists have been provided greater protection through recent changes to the Illinois Vehicle Code. (625 ILCS 5/11-703).
Stiffer penalties for speeders on Illinois highways. PA 096-1002 September 2010 Illinois Law Update, Page 452 The Illinois Vehicle Code has been amended by Illinois lawmakers, making stiffer penalties for drivers speeding on Illinois highways. (625 ILCS 5/11-601.5)
Penalties enhanced for uninsured motorists who harm another person. PA 096-0143 June 2010 Illinois Law Update, Page 292 Motorists without automobile insurance who harm another person could face nearly one year in prison under a new law passed last year by the Illinois General Assembly. 
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