7/18/03-A bill restricting who rides with young drivers is now law.
SB58, sponsored by Sen. John Cullerton, D-Chicago, limits beginning drivers to one passenger younger than 20 in the vehicle. That provision does not apply when an adult rides along or when the teen-ager is carting siblings.
The limit applies to teens “for the first year of the license or until the person reaches the age of 18, whichever occurs sooner.” A violation is a petty offense and subject to a maximum fine of $1,000.

5/21/03-A bill that would restrict who rides with young drivers is headed to the governor’s desk.
SB58, sponsored by Sen. John Cullerton, D-Chicago, would limit beginning drivers to one passenger younger than 20 in the vehicle. That provision does not apply when an adult rides along or when the teen-ager is carting siblings.
A violation is a petty offense and subject to a maximum fine of $1,000.
The bill passed the Senate 39-16 on March 25, and passed the House May 20 by a 78-34 vote. For bill status, call (217) 782-3944.

5/7/03-The House will soon take a final vote on a bill that would restrict who rides with young drivers.
Under SB58, beginning drivers would be limited to one passenger younger than 20 in the vehicle. That provision does not apply when an adult rides along or when the teen-ager is carting siblings.
The limit would apply to teens for the first six months of the license, amended from one year, or until they turn 18, whichever occurs sooner.
The Senate passed the bill March 25. For bill status, call (217) 782-3944.

4/17/03-The Senate has passed a bill restricting who rides with young drivers.
Under SB58, beginning drivers would be limited to one passenger younger than 20 in the vehicle. That provision voids when an adult rides along, or when the teen-ager is carting siblings.
The limit would apply to teens for the first six months of the license, amended from one year, or until they turn 18, whichever occurs sooner.
It is in the House Judiciary Committee. For bill status, call (217) 782-3944.

4/8/03-SB58, which would restrict who rides with young drivers, is in the House Rules and Transportation & Motor Vehicles committees.
Under the measure, sponsored by Sen. John Cullerton, D-Chicago, beginning drivers would be limited to one passenger younger than 20 in the vehicle. That provision voids when an adult rides along, or when the teen-ager is carting siblings.
The limit would apply to teens “for the first year of the license or until the person reaches the age of 18, whichever occurs sooner.”
Cullerton removed a teen-driving curfew that was originally in the bill.
For bill status, call (217) 782-3944.

3/28/03-The Illinois Senate passed a bill March 26 restricting who rides with young drivers.
Under SB58, sponsored by Sen. John Cullerton, D-Chicago, beginning drivers would be limited to one passenger younger than 20 in the vehicle. That provision voids when an adult rides along, or when the teen-ager is carting siblings.
"The purpose of the Graduated Licensing Program is to develop safe and mature driving habits in young, inexperienced drivers and reduce or prevent motor vehicle accidents, fatalities, and injuries," Cullerton wrote.
The limit would apply to teens "for the first year of the license or until the person reaches the age of 18, whichever occurs sooner."
Cullerton removed a teen-driving curfew that was originally in the bill.
The proposal, approved 39 to 16 in the Senate, now moves to the House for consideration. For bill status, call (217) 782-3944.

3/14/03-A bill that would limit teen driving at night in Illinois has been sent to the Senate Rules Committee after being amended on the Senate floor.
SB58, which would prohibit drivers under age 20 from driving from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m., would also restrict the passengers younger drivers could carry. First-year license holders would not be allowed to drive with more than one person in the vehicle who is under the age of 20, excepting the driver's siblings.
For bill status, call (217) 782-3944.

3/11/03-A bill that would limit teen driving at night in Illinois passed the Senate Judiciary Committee on March 5 and is awaiting a preliminary vote before the full chamber.
SB58 would prohibit drivers under age 20 from driving from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m.
The bill would also restrict the passengers younger drivers could carry. First-year license holders would not be allowed to drive with more than one person in the vehicle who is under the age of 20, excepting the driver's siblings.
For bill status, call (217) 782-3944.

3/4/03-An Illinois Senate bill restricts when and how teens can drive.
Under SB58, sponsored by Sen. John Cullerton, D-Chicago, beginning drivers would have to turn over the keys after 9 p.m. on school nights, and in many instances, they could cart around only one fellow teen.
"The purpose of the Graduated Licensing Program is to develop safe and mature driving habits in young, inexperienced drivers and reduce or prevent motor vehicle accidents, fatalities, and injuries," Cullerton wrote.
Currently, teens must hold a learner's permit for at least three months before they can get a license. During that period, they must perform 25 hours of driving under adult supervision.
Illinois teens now are cut off at 11 p.m. on weeknights, until they turn 17. Cullerton's proposal means those drivers would have to move out of the driver's seat two hours earlier. A midnight curfew for weekend driving would remain in place.
At any time, day or night, novice teen drivers would be limited to one passenger under the age of 20. That provision voids when an adult rides along, or when the teen-ager is carting siblings.
Both the passenger limits and night-driving restrictions would apply to teens "for the first year of the license or until the person reaches the age of 18, whichever occurs sooner," Cullerton wrote.
The bill is in the Senate Judiciary Committee. For bill status, call (217) 782-3944.