Transit Table partners pass HB277
HB277—a bill that amends Illinois law to no longer suspend driver’s licenses for failure to appear in court for traffic tickets—has passed both houses and now heads to the governor for signing! Illinois will join twelve other states that no longer restrict driving privileges for failure to appear in court. The bill was a project of the Transit Table coalition, whose work on the License to Work Act laid the foundation for this bill, to eliminate all drivers license suspension for non moving violations.
Through the senate amendments to HB277, retroactivity was limited to the last five years. The Chicago Jobs Council, who led the work on the bill. will be requesting the data on how many licenses remain suspended for failure to appear and the Coalition will work to find possible remedies and paths forward.
The Transit Table coalition will be encouraging a quick and easy signature process and observing the implementation process.
The Chicago Council of Lawyers and Chicago Appleseed are proud to be part of the coalition and remain dedicated to the work to break cycles of poverty precipitated by court involvement.