GOVERNOR SIGNS BILL TO EXPAND PENALTIES FOR DRUNK DRIVERS AND FUND STATE POLICE DUI PREVENTION PROJECTS

SPRINGFIELD - Governor George H. Ryan today approved legislation that allows the Illinois State Police to buy equipment to fight drunk driving and expands the $100 fine on DUI to all offenders including those convicted who received court supervision. "To continue to win the battles, we need to make sure the State Police are armed with the right tools and adequate funding to keep our roads safe," Ryan said. "The state is waging a successful war against drunk drivers thanks in part to the cooperative efforts of Mothers Against Drunk Driving, states attorneys, local governments and the Chiefs of Police Association," he said.

Under Senate Bill 1498, DUI fines can be deposited into the Illinois State Police DUI Fund to purchase law enforcement equipment to aid in the prevention of alcohol related criminal violence. Based on current arrest and conviction rates, Senate Bill 1498 could provide an additional $2.9 million to Illinois law enforcement. "The amount raised could place a breath tester or dashboard-mounted video camera in every troopers car within three years," Ryan said.

This bill also changes state law and now requires that all drunk drivers will pay an additional $100 fine regardless of whether they have received court supervision from a judge. Previously, people guilty of DUI, who could not receive court supervision, were assessed the fine. Ryan signed Senate Bill 1498 to ensure that the fine is paid both by persons found guilty of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and persons pleading guilty to or placed on court supervision for that offense. The bill is effective immediately.

Sen. Brad Burzynski, R-Sycamore, was the chief sponsor of Senate Bill 1498. House sponsors were representatives Jerry Mitchell, R-Sterling; Kevin McCarthy, D-Orland Park; David Winters, R-Rockford; Edward Acevedo, D-Chicago; and David Wirsing, R-Sycamore.

Other bills signed into law today include:

House Bill 2888 will allow the prosecution of attempted first degree murder at any time. Suspects apprehended even many years after the commission of attempted first degree murder should be subject to a criminal prosecution in a court of law for their alleged crimes and not allowed to escape justice. Murder is exempt from the statute of limitations.

Sponsors of House Bill 2888 were senators Duane Noland, R-Blue Mound, Lisa Madigan, D-Chicago, and Barack Obama, D-Chicago. House sponsors were representatives Bill Mitchell, R-Forsyth, James Brosnahan, D-Evergreen Park, Jack Franks, D-Woodstock, Tim Osmond, D-Antioch, Keith Sommers, R-Morton, Harry Osterman, D-Chicago and Sidney Mathias, R-Buffalo Grove. The bill is effective immediately.

House Bill 3073 will provide stronger penalties for persons selling drugs to children. This bill allows the Department of Children and Family Services to investigate any claims made about children being in possession or in use of drugs, especially when the drugs were made available by the children's parents or guardians. A conviction could lead to loss of custody.

Sponsors of House Bill 3073 were senators Vince Demuzio, D-Carlinville, Judith Myers, R-Danville, Kimberly Lightford, D-Chicago and Robert Molaro, D-Chicago. House sponsors were representatives Ron Stephens, R-Troy, Steve Davis, D-Bethalto, Eileen Lyons, R-Western Springs and Thomas Holbrook, D-Belleville.

The bill is effective Jan. 1, 2001.

House Bill 3240 is an initiative of the Department of Revenue's initiative to address the concerns of the state's business groups about the excessive nature of the current penalty structure under the Uniform Penalty and Interest Act (UPIA). This bill implements a penalty structure that is fair and taxpayer friendly while still creating an incentive for compliance with tax reporting and payment requirements.

Sen. Chris Lauzen, R-Aurora, was chief Senate sponsor of House Bill 3240. House sponsor was Rep. Mark Beaubien, R-Barrington Hills. The bill is effective Jan. 1, 2001.

House Bill 4450 establishes the Military Flags Commission. The Flag Commission will help the Department of Military Affairs address reoccurring flag preservation deficiencies noted in the Biennial Financial and Compliance Audit. This commission will advise the Adjutant General in fulfilling the responsibility of carefully preserving flags, guidons, and other military trophies of war belonging to the State. In addition, the Commission will provide additional expertise and prioritization of effort for the restoration project.

Sen. Stan Weaver, R-Urbana, was chief Senate sponsor of House Bill 4450. House sponsor were representatives Rick Winkel, R-Champaign, Ron Stephens, R-Troy, Raymond Poe, R-Springfield, Art Tenhouse, R-Liberty, and Wanda Sharp, D-Maywood. The bill is effective immediately.

Senate Bill 1695 closes a loophole in the law and will eliminate the exception to the offense of chemical breakdown of illicit controlled substances regarding the offense of manufacture of methamphetamine. This will allow law enforcement to effectively prosecute this offense. The bill is effective immediately.

Sen. Evelyn Bowles, D-Edwardsville, was chief Senate sponsor of Senate Bill 1695. House sponsors were representatives Jeffery Schoenberg, D-Evanston, Sara Feigenholtz, D-Chicago, Lauren Beth Gash, D-Highland Park, and Susan Garrett, D-Lake Bluff.