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SB 1922

VEHICLE CD-EMERGENCY VEHICLE

104th Regular Session Introduced by Sharon Chung and 16 co-sponsors

The bill requires drivers to yield to active emergency workers, vehicles, and pedestrians at emergency scenes on highways and imposes stronger civil, criminal, and license penaltie

Public Act . . . . . . . . . 104-0400
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Bill Summary · SB 1922

Summary — SB 1922 (Public Act 104-0400) — VEHICLE CD — Emergency Vehicle

Overview / Purpose

SB 1922 amends the Illinois Vehicle Code (notably Section 11-907, and making conforming edits to Section 6-206) to strengthen duties on motorists when encountering emergency vehicles, emergency workers, and pedestrians directly involved in an emergency scene on a highway. The law clarifies when drivers must yield, creates specific penalties (civil, administrative, and criminal) for violations that cause damage, injury, or death, and establishes funding/administrative provisions to support enforcement and education.

Effective date: June 1, 2026. Governor approved August 15, 2025. (Public Act 104‑0400)

Key provisions

  • Adds two new yield duties to Section 11-907:
    • (c-5) Drivers must yield the right-of-way to any authorized emergency vehicle "obviously and actually engaged in work upon a highway," whether stationary or moving, when that vehicle is displaying flashing lights as authorized under Section 12‑215.
    • (c-10) Drivers must yield the right-of-way to an emergency worker "obviously and actually engaged in work upon a highway at an emergency scene," and to any pedestrian on the highway who is directly involved in the emergency scene.
  • Clarifies that “authorized emergency vehicle” means a vehicle authorized under Section 12‑215 while the owner/operator is engaged in official duties.

Penalties and driver‑license consequences

  • Civil/administrative fines:
    • First violation: $250–$10,000.
    • Second/subsequent violation: $750–$10,000.
    • Commission of the offense while also violating Sections 11‑501, 12‑610.1, or 12‑610.2 is an aggravating factor.
  • Criminal penalties (existing subsection (c) retained and clarified):
    • Violation of subsection (c) resulting in damage to another vehicle: Class A misdemeanor.
    • Violation of subsection (c) resulting in injury or death: Class 4 felony.
  • Mandatory suspensions of driving privileges for violations of (c), (c-5), or (c-10):
    • Damage to property: 90 days to 1 year suspension.
    • Injury: 180 days to 2 years suspension.
    • Death: 2-year suspension.
  • Secretary of State must suspend or extend suspension upon receiving judgment records under these subsections.

Enforcement, funding, and education

  • Establishes the “Scott’s Law Fund” as a special State fund. The Director of State Police may use moneys in the fund for:
    • Educational materials for drivers,
    • Hiring off‑duty Illinois State Police for enforcement,
    • Other enforcement and education activities the Director deems necessary.
  • For citations issued by county/municipal police, assessments are deposited into county/municipal Transportation Safety Highway Hire‑back Funds to hire off‑duty local officers for monitoring and education; counties/municipalities may use funds for enforcement equipment and outreach.

Who is affected

  • Motorists in Illinois (new duties and exposure to fines, license suspensions, and possible criminal charges).
  • Emergency responders and emergency workers (additional legal protections while working on highways).
  • Counties, municipalities, and law enforcement agencies (new enforcement responsibilities, and access to hire‑back funds).
  • Roadway pedestrians directly involved in emergency incidents.

Legislative/procedural timeline

  • Introduced (Senate): Feb 6 / filed Mar 5, 2025.
  • Passed both houses with amendments; House Committee Amendment No. 1 adopted.
  • Sent to Governor: June 30, 2025. Governor approved: Aug 15, 2025.
  • Effective date: June 1, 2026.
  • Companion bill: HB 5295.

Notes / Potential impacts

  • Raises financial and administrative penalties to emphasize motorist caution near emergency scenes.
  • Creates dedicated funding to support enforcement and public education (Scott’s Law Fund and local hire‑back funds).
  • Retains criminal consequences for serious outcomes; also ties administrative license suspensions to civil/criminal convictions under the amended subsections.

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

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