By JIM TALAMONTI
Illinois Radio Network
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (IRN) — Among the bills the Illinois General Assembly is approving to send to the governor’s desk is legislation raising the age at which drivers are required to take a road test.
House Bill 1226 passed the Illinois Senate unanimously last week after previously clearing the House without opposition.
State Sen. Ram Villivalam, D-Chicago, said the measure would impact 348,000 motorists in Illinois.
“It has two main provisions. It implements new procedures to allow family members to report unsafe drivers of any age based on medical or cognitive issues. It also increases the age that Illinois drivers must take a behind-the-wheel driving test from 79 to 87,” Villivalam explained.
Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias and AARP Illinois supported HB 1226. Giannoulias cited statistics from the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) revealing that in 2023, the crash rate for drivers 75 and older was 24.61 per 1,000 drivers, which is lower than every age range of drivers between 16 and 74 years old.
If Gov. J.B. Pritzker signs HB 1226, drivers between the ages of 81 and 86 would still be required to visit a DMV facility to renew their license every two years. They would also be required to take a vision test but would not have to take a driving test.
“Illinois is currently the only state in the nation that mandates driving tests based on age. We have been that way for at least 15 years,” Villivalam said.
State Sen. Don DeWitte, R-St. Charles, said it broke his heart to take calls from seniors and urged colleagues to support the bill.
“This really removes that discrimination component that has driven these people and raised their anxiety levels to the point where they would call in tears,” DeWitte said.
The bill also allows an immediate family member to submit information to the Secretary of State relative to the medical condition of a person if the condition interferes with the person’s ability to operate a motor vehicle safely.
If Pritzker signs the bill, it would take effect July 1.
