summary
Introduced
02/02/2026
02/02/2026
In Committee
02/10/2026
02/10/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
Potential new amendment
104th General Assembly
Bill Summary
Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that, for each violation of a provision of the Code or a local ordinance recorded by an automated traffic law enforcement system, the county or municipality having jurisdiction shall issue a written notice of the violation to the registered owner of the vehicle who shall be liable for the violation unless otherwise provided. Provides that the notice shall be delivered to the registered vehicle owner within 30 days after the municipality or county confirms the identity of the owner of the vehicle (rather than 30 days after the Secretary of State notifies the municipality or county of the identity of the owner of the vehicle), but in no event later than 90 days after the violation. Provides that there shall be a rebuttable presumption that a school bus was stopped for the purpose of receiving or discharging pupils and the visual signals were in operation on the school bus when recorded images produced by an automated traffic law enforcement system show: (1) an activated stop signal arm; and (2) an electronic indicator indicating activation of school bus visual signals. Provides that the motor vehicle owner is subject to a mandatory civil penalty of $300 (rather than a penalty not exceeding $150) for a first time violation or $1,000 (rather than a penalty not exceeding $500) for a second or subsequent violation. Provides that the compensation paid for an automated traffic law enforcement system may not be based exclusively on the number of traffic citations issued or the revenue generated by the system. Provides that the driver of a vehicle upon a highway divided by a raised median or physical barrier (rather than a highway having 4 or more lanes which permits at least 2 lanes of traffic to travel in opposite directions) need not stop such vehicle upon meeting a school bus which is stopped in the opposing roadway across the divided highway.
AI Summary
This bill amends the Illinois Vehicle Code to enhance penalties and procedures related to school bus stop signal violations captured by automated traffic law enforcement systems, which are devices that record traffic violations using cameras and sensors. Key changes include requiring municipalities or counties to notify the registered vehicle owner within 30 days of confirming their identity, rather than waiting for the Secretary of State, and no later than 90 days after the violation. It establishes a "rebuttable presumption" that a school bus was stopped to pick up or drop off students and its visual signals were active if recorded images show an activated stop signal arm and an electronic indicator of signal activation. Penalties for violations are significantly increased, with a mandatory civil penalty of $300 for a first offense and $1,000 for subsequent offenses, up from previous maximums of $150 and $500 respectively. The bill also clarifies that compensation for automated traffic law enforcement systems cannot be based solely on the number of citations issued or revenue generated. Finally, it modifies the exception for drivers on highways divided by a raised median or physical barrier, stating they do not need to stop when meeting a school bus stopped on the opposing roadway across the divided highway.
Committee Categories
Government Affairs
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Assignments Refers to Executive (on 02/24/2026)
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