Driver For-Hire Felony DUI Legislation Heads to Governor for Signature

Written by Editor Mary Ann Lopez

A bill introduced in Springfield after a limousine driver was charged with driving under the influence while transporting students to prom in Glen Ellyn in early May has advanced out of the Illinois Senate and awaits Gov. Pat Quinn’s signature.

Rep. Tom Cross (R-Oswego) sponsored the bill, which would tighten the state’s DUI law among for-hire drivers. Cross introduced the bill after Richard Madison, a limousine driver, was charged with misdemeanor DUI and reckless conduct after he drove students from Oswego East High School to prom in unincorporated Glen Ellyn last month, reported Patch.

If the Governor signs Senate Bill 1764, it will allow hired drivers to be charged with a felony if they are found to be under the influence of alcohol while transporting passengers.

Although Madison’s blood alcohol level was three times the legal limit, he was not charged with a felony, according to a news release from Cross’ office. 

The legislation would give States’ Attorneys the ability to charge a for-hire driver with a Class 4 felony if he/she is guilty of driving passengers while under the influence of alcohol, Cross’ office said in a news release. The crime would be punishable by one to three years in prison or up to 2 and a half years of probation. In addition, under the legislation a school bus driver who is found guilty of driving under the influence will be guilty of felony aggravated DUI, regardless of the age of the passengers.

“Hopefully this new law will give a little more piece-of-mind to people in Illinois who get in a taxi, bus or hire a driver to take their kids to prom,” Cross said in the news release. “It should also serve as a deterrent to these hired drivers in Illinois.”

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