Il Secretary of State proposes age change for senior driving test

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias is championing a bipartisan bill to raise the mandatory drivers test age from 75 to 87. 

Under the plan, those who are aged 79 or older would still need to renew their license, but would not have to take a drivers test in the renewal process.

Anyone who is on a commercial license would still need to do a drivers test at 75 or older to keep driving for work. 

In a press conference alongside State Democrats and Republicans, Giannoulias said that older drivers tend to be safer drivers on the road.

"Age alone does not necessarily determine if someone should or should not have a drivers license," Giannoulias said. "I know plenty of people who are 87 and above who are great drivers I know plenty of people that are younger than me who are terrible drivers. Driving ability and medical health should serve as the main determining factors."

State Rep. Jeff Keicher (R-Sycamore) has been a long time supporter for the plan. He said this is one of the biggest issues for senior citizens in his district.

"I stumbled into this issue through constituents' concerns," Keicher said. "As you've heard all my peers mention that have talked on the issue, this is one of the top issues for seniors."

The bill also has an additional rule which would give people the ability to report on their senior family members to the Secretary of State's office if they're suffering from a severe illness such as dementia.

The process would begin with a concerned family member filing a form, where the form goes to the medical board for review. Shortly after, the board would ask the senior family member to hand over their medical documents within 30 days. 

Once that has been processed, if the senior citizen would crash their car, the Secretary of State office would have more power to remove the person's license.

This part of the plan was added to gain enough support in the General Assembly To gain support from 60 Democrats in the House

Lawmakers may consider this bill in committee in late January, when they return back to the state capitol.

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