Illinois Distracted Driving Laws

Cell phone, texting news: A law prohibiting driving while using handheld cell phones and similar electronic communications devices goes into effect Jan. 1, 2014.


Fines for first offenses are set at $75. For subsequent violations the fines are $100, $125 and $150.

Gov. Pat Quinn signed the distracted driving legislation into law Aug. 16. The plan sat on the governor’s desk for most of the summer, but legislative sponsors expected the sign-off.

“Too many Illinois families have suffered because of accidents that could have been prevented,” Quinn said. “Anyone driving a car should be careful, responsive and alert behind the wheel.”
Sponsor state Rep. John D’Amico said: “I’m very happy that House Bill 1247 passed. I believe this law will become an important tool in making our roadways safer.”

The changes brought by HB 2417 amend the existing Illinois text messaging & driving law to include handheld cell phones and similar devices. The final House vote of May 28 was 69-48, basically the same count as on first approval of March 1. The Senate vote of May 23 was 34-20.

House sponsor D’Amico did not oppose the Senate’s change stipulating that a first offense is not a moving violation. The bill is a rerun of D’Amico’s HB 3972 of 2012, which also cleared the House by a similar margin but faded in the Senate.

The law replaces a crazy quilt of local laws, most created because the Legislature failed to act. D’Amico told Hands Free Info it took so long to push through a hands-free law because, “To this day, there still are some who won’t accept that using a cell phone behind the wheel can be fatal.
“Hopefully, this law will bring increased attention to the issue.”

Current prohibitions:

• Drivers 18 and younger are prohibited from using wireless phones while driving — with or without hands-free devices.
• All drivers prohibited from text messaging and related activities such as emailing and Internet use.
• All drivers prohibited from use of handheld electronic communications devices. Effective Jan. 1, 2014.
• Motorists prohibited from use of cellular phones in school speed zones and construction/road maintenance zones.
• Within 500 feet of an emergency scene, cell phone use and taking of photos or videos on wireless devices prohibited.
• In Chicago, all drivers talking on mobile phones must use hands-free devices. Text messaging prohibited while driving. Fines: $100-$500.
• At least 70 other municipalities have their own handheld cell phone laws. They include Highland Park, Winnetka, Evanston and Deerfield.