8/24/07-Gov. Rod Blagojevich signed a bill into law that gets tough with drunken drivers in the state.
The legal definition of drunken driving in the state is a reading of 0.08 percent or higher.
The new law, previously SB300, requires judges to issue restricted licenses to anyone convicted of driving under the influence. The stricter rule applies to first-time offenders. The restricted license allows violators to drive only vehicles equipped with breath-testing ignition interlocks.
The new law doesn't take effect until Jan. 1, 2009.
7/6/07-The General Assembly has approved a bill that would get tough with drunken drivers. It now heads to Gov. Rod Blagojevich's desk.
The legal definition of drunken driving in the state is a reading of 0.08 percent or higher.
House and Senate lawmakers approved a bill - SB300 - by unanimous consent that would require judges to issue restricted licenses to anyone convicted of driving under the influence. The stricter rule also would apply to first-time offenders. The restricted license would allow violators to drive only vehicles equipped with breath-testing ignition interlocks.
The interlock is hooked up to the ignition of vehicles. Once the device is installed, a driver must blow into a mouthpiece, which measures the amount of alcohol on a person's breath. If the driver blows clean, the car will then start; if not, it won't budge.
In addition, the devices often require drivers to re-blow in the machine after a designated period of time, to ensure that they have not convinced someone else to blow into the mouthpiece for them, or that they haven't been drinking since getting behind the wheel.
If the bill is signed into law, it wouldn't take effect until Jan. 1, 2009.
For bill status, call (217) 782-4517. In Illinois, call 1-800-252-6300.
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