So far, some legislators have come out against the measure, but many others have embraced it. While Mothers Against Drunk Driving has said it is opposed to the measure, another national anti-drunk driving group is in favor of it. The Alliance Against Intoxicated Motorists has said that the measure supports a broader goal of rehabilitating those with serious alcohol problems and that if a driver can prove they have changed then it’s good to give them a chance to do so legally.
This last argument is what has mobilized so much support in the Illinois legislature. Many lawmakers have been convinced that providing a path for repeat offenders to legally get their licenses reinstated and then be monitored for the foreseeable future is a far better option than to turn a blind eye on the fact that many without licenses continue driving illegally, dramatically increasing the danger to innocent motorists.
So far the bill has passed a House panel on a unanimous 15-0 vote. Backers say they expect the measure to go up for a full vote of the chamber by the end of the month. You can bet that advocates on both sides of the issue will closely watch the outcome of the vote, something that could lead to similar changes in other states if it proves effective.
Source: “Bill would give chronic drunken drivers another chance,” by Maura Zurick, published at ChicagoTribune.com.