Before August 9, 2014, drivers were required to surrender their driver’s license if they got certain traffic tickets in Illinois.
That requirement has ended.
Senate Bill 2583 passed both houses of the Illinois legislature May 30, 2014. Illinois Governor Pat Quinn signed the measure into law Saturday, August 9.
“The new law allows a motorist’s signature on the citation to be their guarantee that they will comply with the terms of the citation, and either appear in court or pay the required fine,” said a statement from the governor’s office.
Previous legislation required a valid driver’s license to be posted as bail for certain traffic offenses in Illinois. Now, a motorist’s signature on the citation is their promise to either appear in court or pay the required fine on the citation.
“With this bill, Illinois drivers will be able to keep their driver’s license which is used as a primary form of identification for receiving services related to banking, travel, education and more,” said State Senator Michael Noland (D-Elgin), who co-sponsored the bill with State Representative John D’Amico (D-Chicago).
It will also be less costly for the state to process traffic court cases, Noland said.
The state can suspend the driving privileges of anyone who does not comply with a citation.
The new “Sign and Drive” law was effective immediately.
