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SB 1639

VEH CD-INSURANCE VERIFICATION

104th Regular Session Introduced by Adriane Johnson and 1 co-sponsor

Illinois would automatically suspend a driver's license until the vehicle’s liability insurance is verified after insurer cancels coverage.

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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 1639

SB 1639 — VEH CD — Insurance Verification (Illinois version)

Status: Introduced (IL) — Introduced 2/4/2025 by Sen. Adriane Johnson; Co‑sponsor added: Sen. Ram Villivalam (4/4/2025). Key statutory changes: adds 215 ILCS 5/143.19.4 (Insurance Code) and amends 625 ILCS 5/6‑201 (Illinois Vehicle Code / Secretary of State authority).

Purpose / intent

To create an automatic reporting and owner‑notification process when an automobile liability insurance policy is cancelled, and to require vehicle owners to verify they maintain required liability coverage or face suspension/cancellation of their driver license or permit.

Key provisions

  • Insurer reporting (Insurance Code — new 215 ILCS 5/143.19.4):

    • An insurer that provides automobile liability insurance on any vehicle required to carry liability coverage must notify the Illinois Secretary of State after a liability policy cancellation. (Bill text and legislative synopsis specify a 30‑day reporting timeframe.)

  • Secretary of State notification and owner response (Vehicle Code — amended 625 ILCS 5/6‑201):

    • Within 30 days after the Secretary receives a cancellation notice from an insurer, the Secretary must notify the registered owner of the affected motor vehicle.
    • The notice informs the owner they have 30 days from issuance to provide verification of a current liability insurance policy for that vehicle.
    • If the owner fails to provide verification within that 30‑day period, the Secretary shall cancel the owner’s license or permit until they supply the required verification.

  • Enforcement mechanism:

    • Amendment clarifies failure to verify insurance becomes a ground for cancellation of a driver’s license/permit (until proof is provided).

Who is affected

  • Vehicle owners/registrants required to carry liability insurance.
  • Insurance companies writing automobile liability policies in Illinois (new reporting obligation).
  • Illinois Secretary of State (new administrative notifications and enforcement actions).
  • Potentially drivers whose licensure may be suspended/cancelled for nonverification.

Timeline / procedural notes

  • Insurer → Secretary: report within 30 days after cancellation (bill’s synopsis).
  • Secretary → Owner: notice issued within 30 days of insurer report.
  • Owner → Secretary: 30 days from notice issuance to provide verification.
  • License/permit remains cancelled until verification is provided.

Potential impacts and considerations

  • Expected effect: increased identification of uninsured vehicles and pressure on owners to maintain continuous liability coverage.
  • Administrative impacts: new reporting workload for insurers and notification/enforcement workload for the Secretary of State; potential need for systems to accept and verify electronic proof of insurance.
  • Legal/regulatory considerations: due‑process and notification adequacy; interactions with existing requirements for proof of financial responsibility and vehicle registration.

Note: The materials provided included multiple different SB 1639 texts from other states (Arizona, Hawaii). This summary focuses on the Illinois “VEH CD — Insurance Verification” version (215 ILCS 5/143.19.4; 625 ILCS 5/6‑201).

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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