Measure limiting police pullovers a ‘conversation starter,’ expected to stall

[February 02, 2024]  By Greg Bishop | The Center Square

(The Center Square) – A measure that would prohibit law enforcement from pulling people over for the sole violation of speeding, improper lane usage and other vehicle infractions is expected to stall at the Illinois Statehouse.

House Bill 4603 would prohibit police from initiating pullovers for expired registration, excessive speeding that isn’t a misdemeanor or felony, improper lane usage, excessive tint, a defective mirror, wipers or bumpers, loud exhaust or no seatbelt.

The measure also says “no evidence discovered or obtained as the result of a stop in violation of these provisions, including, but not limited to, evidence discovered or obtained with the operator's consent, shall be admissible in any trial, hearing, or other proceeding.”

“When I read this, it made me turn my head a bit to say, ‘I can’t believe I’m reading this right now,’” Illinois Sheriffs’ Association Executive Director Jim Kaitschuk told The Center Square.

Kaitschuk said the entire bill is a nonstarter, but the prohibition for pulling people over for speeding that’s not at the level of a misdemeanor or felony sticks out.

“So in essence, somebody could be going up to 25 miles per hour over the posted speed limit and we couldn’t stop them. That’s not a primary reason to stop the vehicle,” Kaitschuk said. ”You think of the number of accidents, in a school zone, in a residential area, kids out playing basketball, whatever the case may be. I don’t even understand the base for wanting to put something like this out there.”

The bill’s sponsor, state Rep. Justin Slaughter, D-Chicago, told the Capitol Fax political blog the measure is a “conversation starter” and he doesn’t plan on advancing the bill.

Kaitschuk said Slaughter assured him he’ll stall the measure.

“He even discussed the possibility of tabling the measure,” Kaitschuk said. “So, I think that’s good news. He assured me that this is a bill that will not move this spring session.”

The legislature returns to continue spring session Tuesday.