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AQUINO PASSES LEGISLATION TO PREVENT LICENSE SUSPENSION FOR UNPAID TICKETS

03/28/2019

SPRINGFIELD – Drivers would no longer lose their licenses over unpaid tickets and other non-moving violations under a bill sponsored by State Senator Omar Aquino (D-Chicago) that passed the Illinois Senate today.

“I am glad to see the State of Illinois taking action against the injustices perpetuated by the City of Chicago,” said Aquino. “For too long my city has balanced their budget on the backs of black and brown communities by coercing money from them with the threat of having their license suspended.”

According to data analysis done by ProPublica Illinois, 44 percent of license suspensions issued were to residents in black communities and 54 percent of license suspensions issued were to residents in low-income communities.

Senate Bill 1786 would remove the Secretary of State’s authority to suspend or revoke licenses for failure to pay certain fees including parking tickets and non-moving violations.

“This bill is essentially a license to work,” said Aquino. “People cannot pay their fines if they cannot drive to work. That applies to people in Chicago and people in rural areas, as well. Without reliable public transportation, taking away someone’s license for an inability to pay fees is punishing people for being poor.”

Senate Bill 1786 now heads to the House for consideration.