Texting and driving could soon have much higher penalties in Illinois

For accidents causing bodily harm, the penalty will raise from $75 to $1,000 and include a year-long license suspension.

SHARE Texting and driving could soon have much higher penalties in Illinois
150802_F_MZ237_054.jpeg

A bill to hike penalties for accidents caused by the use of electronic devices is on its way to Pritzker’s desk.

(U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Sadie Colbert/Released)

A bill to dramatically hike penalties for accidents related to texting and driving is headed to Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s desk.

The bill, passed unanimously in the Senate on May 16, would raise the penalties from $75 to $1,000 for accidents causing great bodily harm involving electronic devices. It would also include a one-year driver’s license suspension.

“There is never a time when you’re driving a car that a text can’t wait. Texting while driving can have deadly consequences,” sponsoring State Sen. Jil Tracy said. “I’m proud to say that this legislation, which will help reduce accidents, increase alertness among Illinois drivers and make our roads safer, has passed both chambers and now heads to the Governor’s desk for further consideration.”

The bill was inspired by an accident in State Rep. Norine Hammond’s district in Macomb, where a texting driver was fined $75 after causing an accident in which a man on a motorcycle lost his leg.

The bill passed in the house 82-24-2.

“There were members in the house that were not all that inspired and felt it was too egregious a fine,” Hammond said. “I said is there really a price you can put on someone that loses their life or limb?”

The Latest
Over the course of just six fast-paced episodes, Esposito creates a memorable character in this crime drama based on the BBC One series “The Driver.”
Ald. Jeanette Taylor, chair of the City Council’s Education Committee chair, said she’s disappointed that Johnson and his allies in the Chicago Teachers Union backed away from the fully-elected, 21-member board he once supported. “This is not going to be as easy a transition as people think,” she said. “We’re used to a top-down system.”
Alex Caruso has been looking for a defensive showing like the one he and his teammates put on display in the win over the Pacers, but Caruso also knows it needs staying power. Could Javonte Green help that process moving forward?
Christian I. Soto, 22, was charged with murder, attempted murder and home invasion, officials announced Thursday. Rockford Police Chief Carla Redd said earlier investigators haven’t determined a motive for the attacks.
Can a message generated by an algorithm ever match hearing from a human?