8/20/07-Gov. Rod Blagojevich signed a bill into law that increases limitations on the state’s youngest drivers. It takes effect Jan. 1.
Illinois law requires teens to spend 50 hours with their parents for behind-the-wheel training. The graduated driver’s license program includes 10 hours of nighttime driving.
State law also prohibits drivers younger than 18 from using cell phones while driving and limits the number of teenage passengers they can transport.
The new law, previously SB172, extends a teen’s driver permit phase from three to nine months. It also would require that public schools provide six hours of instructor-supervised driving on streets.
Another provision in the bill makes the curfew an hour earlier for drivers under age 18. The cutoff time will move from 11 p.m. to 10 p.m. on weekdays. It changes from midnight to 11 p.m. on weekends.
Exceptions to the curfew will be made for teens driving to and from work or church, attending school activities or doing errands for their parents.
A separate provision will extend from six months to one year the length of time for passenger limits on 16- and 17-year-old drivers. Exceptions are made for siblings.
Teens also will be prohibited from chatting on their cell phones or text messaging while at the wheel.

7/9/07-The House and Senate have approved a bill that would increase limitations on the state’s youngest drivers. It is on Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s desk.
Illinois law requires teens to spend 50 hours with their parents for behind-the-wheel training. The graduated driver’s license program includes 10 hours of nighttime driving.
State law also prohibits drivers younger than 18 from using cell phones while driving and limits the number of teenage passengers they can transport.
SB172 would extend a teen’s driver permit phase from three to nine months. It also would require that public schools provide six hours of instructor-supervised driving on streets.
Another provision in the bill would make the curfew an hour earlier for drivers under age 18. The cutoff time would move from 11 p.m. to 10 p.m. on weekdays. It would change from midnight to 11 p.m. on weekends.
Exceptions to the curfew would be made for teens driving to and from work or church, attending school activities or doing errands for their parents.
A separate provision would extend from six months to one year the length of time for passenger limits on 16- and 17-year-old drivers. Exceptions are made for siblings.
Teens also would be prohibited from chatting on their cell phones or text messaging while at the wheel.
For bill status, call (217) 782-4517. In Illinois, call 1-800-252-6300.

6/7/07-A vote by the full Senate has been delayed until December for a bill intended to lower diesel emissions in the state.
Sponsored by Sen. Jacqueline Collins, D-Chicago, SB268 would put in place a 2.5 percent surcharge onto the sale or lease of trucks that don’t have 2007 engines.
It also would set up a program to register all diesel-powered vehicles – on-road and off-road – as well as trains and boats.

4/6/07-A bill awaiting a final vote on the Senate floor is intended to lower diesel emissions in the state.
Sponsored by Sen. Jacqueline Collins, D-Chicago, SB268 would put in place a 2.5 percent surcharge onto the sale or lease of trucks that don't have 2007 engines.
The measure also would set up a program to register all diesel-powered vehicles - on-road and off-road - as well as trains and boats.
For Senate bill status, call (217) 782-4517. In Illinois, call 1-800-252-6300.