Written by Sullivan Staff Wednesday, 17 February 2010 17:29
The bill was brought forward to Senator Sullivan by Officer Adam Gibson of Quincy. According to Gibson, courts have had difficulty defining what constitutes a "material obstruction" under current law. "This bill clarifies the statute by defining its meaning," said Gibson. "It will certainly make the police officers, trial court justices and appellate court justices’ jobs much easier." This legislation provides that a person may not drive a motor vehicle with objects placed or suspended between the driver and the front, rear or side windows which obstructs (rather than materially obstructs) the driver’s view. Emergency vehicles are exempt. The legislation also states that no person shall drive a motor vehicle where the front, rear or side windows are in such a defective condition as to impair (again rather than materially impair) the driver’s view. "We are trying to avoid people hanging or having items in their vehicles that obstruct the view of the driver," said Sullivan. "I appreciate Officer Gibson for coming forward with this concern and I believe the bill will help police officers, as well as all Illinois drivers, better understand the current law and make driving safer." The bill passed through committee today and will head to the Senate Floor for further debate.
SPRINGFIELD, IL –State Sen. John Sullivan (D-Rushville) pushed legislation through committee today dealing with obstructions to a driver’s view. Senate Bill 2994 removes the word "materially" from a section of the Vehicle Code dealing with obstructions to a driver’s front, rear or side windows. The word was removed due to the inability of the courts to classify what a "material" obstruction is.
Senator Sullivan Menu
47th District
Assistant Majority Leader
Committee assignments: Committee of the Whole; Financial Institutions; Higher Education; Appropriations II (Chairperson); Pensions and Investments; Transportation; Deficit Reduction; Trans. Subcommittee on Amendments; Subcomm.on Pension Enhancements.
Biography: Graduate of Quincy College; partner in family auction and real estate business; lives north of Rushville on the family farm with wife, Joan, and their four children: Matthew, Emily, Luke and Mark.