Canty Public Safety Measure Suspending Licenses of Uncooperative Defendants Signed into Law

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. — A measure backed by state Rep. Mary Beth Canty, D- Arlington Heights, that requires the suspension of the drivers’ licenses of defendants who fail to appear in court for traffic offenses was signed into law earlier this week.

“The safety of our community will always be a priority for me, and keeping unsafe drivers who ignore the summons of our criminal justice system off our streets is important progress,” Canty said. “People deserve to share the road with drivers who take laws, and court summons, seriously, and we are going to make sure that’s what happens.”

In another step towards ensuring public safety, Canty lead the passage of Senate Bill 852 in the House. This measure requires the Secretary of State to immediately suspend the licenses of defendants who ignore court summons and fail to appear for their hearings on traffic offenses. It had the backing of the Illinois Secretary of State and the Shriver Center on Poverty Law, and passed unanimously in the House. Gov. Pritzker signed it into law on Monday.

“Building up a safer community requires a comprehensive approach to public wellbeing,” Canty said. “That means strong criminal laws to crack down on violent crime, support for our first responders, robust oversight to ensure clean air and clean water, and, in this case, measures to keep reckless drivers off our roads.”