SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – An Illinois lawmaker is pushing for legislation that could limit how often police pull over drivers for speeding and other traffic offenses.
Illinois State Rep. Justin Slaughter (D-Chicago) introduced House Bill 4603 on Monday, which calls for several changes to the Illinois Vehicle Code.
The bill would prohibit Illinois law enforcement officers from stopping drivers for several traffic offenses. That includes speeding and improper lane usage, unless either happens to the extent of a misdemeanor or felony offense.
According to Illinois’ state laws, drivers commit a Class B misdemeanor offense when they are traveling at least 26 miles per hour above an applicable speed limit or a class A misdemeanor offense when they are traveling at least 35 miles per hour above limit.
Behind the bill, essentially, authorities would not be authorized to pull someone over speeding anywhere up to 25 miles per hour in Illinois. The bill also notes that officers who stop anyone speeding above 25 mph cannot use any evidence from the traffic stop at trial, even with consent of the driver.
Aside from speeding and improper lane usage, the bill states “that no law enforcement officer shall stop a motor vehicle” in the following cases:
Failure to display registration plates or stickers
Operating with an expired registration sticker
Excessive tints
Defective mirrors
Defective bumpers
Defective windshield wipers or obstructed windshield
Execessive exhaust
Failure to comply with vehicle lamp requirements
Failure to wear a seat belt
Rep. Slaughter, who sponsors this bill, was also one of the lead sponsors behind Illinois’ Safe-T Act, which took effect last year and marked an end to cash bail in Illinois.
HB 4603 has not yet been assigned for a House reading or to a state committee for review.
