D'Amico Strengthens State Law on License Plates and DUIs

With the governor’s recent signature, legislation sponsored by state Rep. John C. D’Amico, D-Chicago, to transition specialty license plates to universal license plates will help increase public safety.

“Specialty license plates can help raise funds for worthy causes and let people represent their organization. With over 100 specialty plates on Illinois’ roads, it has caused difficulty and confusion for law enforcement,” D’Amico said. “Creating this universal special license plate will improve public safety and allow organizations to have a unique decal exclusive to their charity to continue raising funds and awareness.”

A strong voice for road safety, D’Amico introduced legislation to create the Universal Special License Plate in order to reduce the number of specialty license plates on the road to help local authorities keep track of the right plates. Charitable organizations with specialty license plate funds will be able to continue collecting funds and show support through a unique decal. The uniformed universal plate, designed by the Secretary of State, will have a location for the unique decal. Based on demand for individual causes, there will be a transition plan from specialty plates to universal plates.

Making sure repeat DUI offenders do not get behind the wheel intoxicated, D’Amico’s legislation includes restricting repeat DUI offenders from driving company vehicles without having a breath testing device installed in the vehicle.

“We need to make sure DUI offenders can’t exploit loopholes and put our families at risk,” D’Amico said. “I will keep working to pass legislation that will update our laws to help law enforcement better patrol the roads and keep drunk drivers off our roads to increase the safety for our families and loved ones traveling.”

House Bill 1081 received bipartisan support in the House and Senate and was signed into law last week.

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