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Posted: 10:51 PM Jan 1, 2010
New State Laws for 2010
About 100 laws, and 68 pages worth of explanations -- new statewide "rules" for 2010.
Reporter: Chip Brewster Email Address: Chip.Brewster@wifr.com |
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6 Comments 
About 100 new state laws are in effect right now and authorities aren't letting any of them slip by
"Everybody I've run into or talked to has asked me about the new laws so the word is getting around quick," said Senior Winnebago County Sheriff's Deputy Anthony Moore.
About half of the new laws can be found under the Illinois Vehicle Code, that's nearly 50 new traffic related laws. Among them, trucks are no longer held to a 55mph limit in most 65mph zones, uninsured motorists can be jailed rather than just fined, and Sergeant Doug Bushman tells us about the two we've all heard so much about.
"It's now illegal to operate a motor vehicle and text at the same time, and it's also illegal to use a cell phone in a school zone, in a construction zone or a maintenance zone."
If you're caught texting the consequences are similar to a speeding ticket, but if your cell phone use results in an accident, the charges get much worse.
"If people are injured or killed, and I find a cell phone in the car, then what I'm going to end up doing is getting a search warrant to be able to obtain information off the phone to find out whether or not they were on the phone at the time of the crash and if the are, then that will enhance the charges on it," said Deputy Moore.
Some critics of the new cell phone laws argue that it's just another way for the state to make money, but Deputy Moore says otherwise.
"If you think about it, next time you're on your cell phone when you hang up your cell phone try to remember what you just passed and you probably won't because people, act the same way a drunk acts, they can't remember where they're at or what they just passed."
The Illinois Secretary of State's office has a 68 page packet that covers most of the new laws.
You can access the packet, which includes most of the details and fine print, at:
http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/police/lawupdate0910.pdf
Latest Comments
I don't think you have enough room in jail for all those driving without insurance. A food stamp survey done by the Montana DPHHS, (survey done in Billings, MT), showed 12 of 96 food stamp applicants said auto insurance was a reason for needing food stamps (http//www.foodstampstudy.com) If those driving without insurance do not have a right to drive on the highways, that also applies to those with insurance, they also do not have the right to drive on the highways. If they don't like it, maybe they should "take the bus" These new database systems of tracking uninsured vehicles cost 50 dollars for each motor vehicle. That is added onto your policy and may not do anything to reduce the nrs of uninsured vehicles since a person with an insured vehicle can allow someone not on the policy to drive the vehicle.
I am glad these laws are in effect! My husband just got into a crash because the other driver was smoking a cigarette and talking on the cell phone while making a turn and ran into him. Had I been there, I would have beat her with the phone and shoved the cigarette down her throat! It just infuriates me! I am a retired officer and was trained to multitask while driving code 3. The majority of people can't drive to save their life much less put a cigarette or cell phone in their hand. The judges need to pass a hard sentence for these people!
Why is no one talking about the new window-tinting laws? According to public act 96-815 it is now legal to tint all windows of a vehicle within specified guide lines. This was not previously allowed in Illinois.
