Illinois lawmakers have reversed a longstanding state policy that suspended the licenses of Illinois drivers with unpaid parking tickets or other non-moving violations and restored driving privileges to more than 50,000 people.
The Illinois Secretary of State’s Office said it was still researching just how far back such policies went, but noted the most substantial was a suspension for drivers who had 10 or more unpaid parking violations. That became law in 1996.
Lawmakers passed the Licensed To Work Act this fall to reverse such policies. When he signed the measure into law, Gov. J.B. Pritzker said that beginning July 1 drivers will no longer face the loss of license for failure to pay fines for non-moving violations.
“What’s more, this legislation provides for the automatic reinstatement of the more than 50,000 licenses currently suspended for unpaid tickets, fines and fees,” Pritzker said. “There’s a difference between holding people accountable and taking away the very tools that they need to build a life for themselves and for their families.”
Pritzker said families shouldn’t have to choose between paying a ticket and paying for food, shelter or medicine.
State Rep. Carol Ammons, D-Urbana, said the issue was significant for minority communities.
“These tickets are issued at a much higher rate in black and brown communities, which made this a civil rights issue of our day,” Ammons said.
She said the policy change will help minorities who she said were most affected by the suspensions for nonpayment.
“With the rise in black out-migration, historical disenfranchisement of black communities and disproportionately policing and punishment faced by our constituents, we cannot afford inaction,” Ammons said.
The measure passed this fall with broad bipartisan support. Several other bills await the governor’s signature, including one capping the price of insulin at $100 a month.
