SPRINGFIELD — Following the advancement of House Bill 1226 through the Senate Transportation Committee, State Senator Ram Villivalam joined Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, State Representative Jay Hoffman and AARP Senior Manager of Advocacy and Outreach Ryan Gruenenfelder to raise awareness about the measure that would reduce barriers for seniors renewing their driver’s licenses.

“I am so proud that we have moved to the step of the process with this legislation as Illinois is the only state that bases behind-the-wheel driving tests on age,” said Villivalam (D-Chicago).

Illinois has one of the strictest driving test requirements for seniors in the entire nation. To combat this disparity, Villivalam spearheaded a measure in 2022 that instructed the Secretary of State’s Office to conduct a study on age-related changes which might affect safe driving.

The study concluded that Illinois seniors are among the safest drivers on the road and raising the age requirement for the senior driving test has benefited seniors and reduced wait times at driver services facilities.

In response, House Bill 1226, a bipartisan-sponsored measure, would raise the age for mandatory, in-person renewals for driver’s licenses from 75 to 79. It would also raise the driving test requirement from age 79 to 87, or 75 and older if the individual holds a commercial driver’s license, to demonstrate their ability to safely operate a vehicle.

The bill would also expand the list of individuals who may submit information to the Secretary of State relative to the medical condition of a driver, if the driver’s condition interferes with their ability to safely operate a vehicle, to include immediate family members such as a spouse, parent, grandparent, sibling or child.

“Seniors are the safest drivers in America, and this legislation is a giant step forward to ensure we are not discriminating against age,” said Villivalam.

House Bill 1226 currently waits to be heard in the Senate.