Bill to strengthen drunken driving law passes state House committee

SPRINGFIELD - Secretary of State Jesse White's legislation requiring judges to explain the rationale for rescinding Statutory Summary Suspensions is moving on in the Illinois House.

House Bill 5042, designed to strengthen the state's current drunken driving law, will prevent a SSS or revocation from being rescinded without a factual basis from the court. White commended the Illinois House Transportation: Vehicles & Safety Committee for approving HB 5042, sponsored by state Rep. John D'Amico, D-Chicago. A SSS is an automatic suspension of driving privileges imposed by the Secretary of State's office 46 days following a person's arrest for DUI and/or refusal of chemical testing or submission to a chemical test that disclosed a breath/blood alcohol concentration of .08 or more, cannabis or controlled substances. A SSS is separate from subsequent criminal charges for a drunken driving offense.

Under the current law, a judge may issue a rescission without an explanation. White's office is then required to remove the SSS from the driving record. The legislation will allow the Secretary of State to return the order to the judiciary and the SSS shall remain on the motorist's record until White's office receives a factual basis for rescission.

"Combating the dangers of drunken driving remains one of my top priorities as Secretary of State," White said. "My goal is to make our roads as safe as possible and drunken driving jeopardizes the safety of everyone on the road, including the impaired driver. This legislation provides an additional measure to keep unsafe drivers from getting behind the wheel, requiring the courts to explain the rationale for rescinding a statutory summary suspension."