Gov. Blagojevich signs law cracking down on attempted bribery for drivers' licenses

Legislation strengthens enforcement, provides secretary of state with more power to battle corruption         

[JULY 24, 2004]  SPRINGFIELD -- On Wednesday Gov. Rod Blagojevich signed legislation that will make Illinois roads safer by strengthening the penalties for anyone who illegally tries to obtain a driver's license through bribery. Senate Bill 2167, a measure pushed by Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White, also extends felony penalties for bribery to driving school instructors and trucking companies. Current law covers only public officials.

"A bribe takes two people, one to make the offer and one to accept. We must be able to punish both sides. We must take measures to restore the public's trust and be tough on anyone who offers or takes a bribe," Gov. Blagojevich said. "By enacting this law, we are doing what we can to keep unqualified drivers off our highways and keeping the public safe."

The new law allows the Illinois secretary of state to suspend for 120 days the driver's license or driver's license application of anyone caught offering a bribe to a license examiner. It also clearly defines the act of bribery to obtain driving privileges and makes it a Class 2 felony for anyone to offer or accept a bribe to obtain a driver's license. Class 2 felonies are punishable by up to three to seven years in prison and fines up to $25,000.

Currently, it is a Class 2 felony to bribe a public official, including drivers' examiners. The new law extends that provision so that the criminal penalties apply also to driving schools, trucking companies that administer third-party testing and any other individual who administers driver's license examinations.

"I want to thank the governor and the General Assembly for continuing to support our efforts to fight corruption," said Secretary of State Jesse White. "We will not tolerate bribes that put unqualified drivers on the road. Many times smaller bribe attempts are not prosecuted, but we now have recourse for anyone who tries to unduly influence the system."

Senate Bill 2167 was sponsored by Patrick Welch, D-Peru, in the Senate and Careen Gordon, D-Coal City, in the House. It becomes effective Jan. 1, 2005.

[News release from the governor's office]