Politics & Government

New Illinois Laws 2016: TRANSPORTATION AND VEHICLE REGULATION

Review the new laws that will take effect on Jan. 1, 2016.

Dennis Robaugh, Patch Staff

Posted Sat, Dec 26, 2015 at 1:20 pm CT|Updated Fri, Jan 1, 2016 at 10:30 am CT

More than 200 new Illinois laws scheduled to take effect on Jan. 1. Here are the new laws governing Transportation and Vehicle Regulation:

Driver’s License Issuance (HB 4074/PA 99-0300): Sets conditions under which the Secretary of State may issue a driver’s license if someone has a license that is currently revoked in another state.
DUI Driving Permit (HB 1446/PA 99-0290): Allows drivers who had their license permanently revoked after a fourth DUI conviction to obtain a restricted driving permit after five years if the person shows a minimum three years of uninterrupted sobriety and successful completion all of the recommended rehabilitation activity.
DUI Interlock Device Extension (HB 3533/PA 99-0296 – Sen. Pam Althoff): Requires ignition interlock devices for a minimum of five years on all vehicles owned by a person who has been convicted of a second or subsequent DUI offense.
Electric Vehicle Parking Spots (HB 198/PA 99-0172): Prohibits parking a non-electric car in a parking spot reserved for charging electric cars and sets a fine for violating this rule.
Hatzalah Rescue Vehicles (SB 621/PA 99-0040): Allows Hatzalah rescue vehicles (a volunteer Emergency Medical Service) to use oscillating and flashing red and white lights when responding to an emergency call for the sick or injured.
License Plate Visibility Exemption (HB 1666/PA 99-0068): Makes trucks with rear-attached forklifts exempt from the requirement that their license plate be clearly visible.
Low-Speed Vehicles (SB 1899/PA 99-0401): Low-speed vehicles must have a certificate of title and display valid registration in order to be driven on highways.
Masonic License Plate Fund (HB 3269/PA 99-0294 – Sen. Chapin Rose): Requires all money in the Master Mason Fund from the license plates to be paid as grants to Illinois Masonic Charities Fund (rather than the Illinois Masonic Foundation for the Prevention of Drug and Alcohol Abuse Among Children, Inc.) for charitable purposes (rather than for providing Model Student Assistance Programs in schools).
O’Hare Airport Runway Authorization (SB 636/PA 99-0202): Increases the number of runways O’Hare International Airport can operate without obtaining state authorization from eight to ten.
Reduced Weight Limit on Roads (HB 2580/PA 99-0237): Highway commissioners may permanently post roads at a reduced weight limit after holding a public forum regarding reasons for and against imposing the limit. County superintendents of highways then have the final deciding power in the matter after the public forum.
Rental Car Plates (SB 625/PA 99-0080): Allows the Secretary of State to issue special license plates to rental car agencies in place of renewal stickers for vehicle registration.
Road Funds (HB 182/PA 99-0171 – Sen. Pam Althoff): Allows funds for township and road districts to come from other road district sources, but funds cannot exceed the amount that would be allocated under the motor fuel tax fund formula.
School Bus Industry Requirements (HB 1665/PA 99-0148): Provides that a private carrier employer of school bus drivers shall be held to a standard of ordinary care for intentional acts committed in the course of employment by a bus driver permit holder.
Senior Citizen/Disabled Person Specialty Plate Discount (HB 2811/PA 99-0071): Beginning with the 2017 registration year, for any vehicle owner or spouse who has been approved for the reduced registration fee pursuant to the Senior Citizens and Disabled Persons Property Tax Relief Act, may also pay the reduced fee for any vehicle displaying specialty plates.
SOS Notification on Revocation (HB 3670/PA 99-0297): Provides that the Secretary of State shall notify by mail any person whose driving privileges have been revoked as a result of a moving violation that is the proximate cause of the death of any person, that his or her driver’s license will be revoked 90 days from the date of the mailing of the notice.
Spouse Death Car Titles (HB 3797/PA 99-0260 – Sen. Dave Luechtefeld): Extends the amount of time in which paperwork must be filed and fees associated with the transfer of title must be paid in the event of the death of a spouse.
Temporary Stop Signs (SB 1388/PA 99-0124 – Sen. Sam McCann): Requires the Illinois Department of Transportation to make sure all temporary stop signs adhere to requirements in the State Manual and are placed in a manner to provide adequate visibility and legibility and are placed within duration recommendations in the State Manual.
Transportation Safety Highway Hire-back Fund Use (HB 3812/PA 99-0280): Allows counties to use money in the Transportation Safety Highway Hire-back Fund to purchase equipment and hire officers.
Trucking Violations (HB 1516/PA 99-0291): Provides that any driver who willfully violates specified motor carrier safety regulations including driving under the influence; motor carrier drivers’ hours of service; motor carrier qualifications for drivers; or other violations which would place the driver or vehicle out of service is guilty of a Class 3 felony when the violation results in a motor vehicle accident that causes great bodily harm, permanent disability or disfigurement, or death to another person.
Returning Civilian Employee License Renewal Extension (HB 3384/PA 99-0118): Gives returning civilian employees of the United States Armed Forces an extension of 45 days for renewing an expired license.