Illinois Sen. Morrison’s vehicle code revision bill passes House and Senate

Newly passed bill authored by State Sen. Julie A. Morrison aims to revise vehicle code provisions, address emergency vehicle violations, and expand certain exemptions following approval in both chambers, according to the Illinois General Assembly.

In the House, 72 Democrats and 36 Republicans voted in favor of the bill.

Meanwhile, in the Senate, 38 Democrats and 17 Republicans voted in favor of the bill.

Morrison introduced the bill in the Illinois Senate on Feb. 2, 2026 during the 104th session.

The legislation, known as SB3164, was passed on May 21, 2026 during the general assembly session 104.

According to the Illinois General Assembly site, the legislature summarized the bill’s official text as follows: “Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Removes language authorizing the Secretary of State from suspending or revoking the driving privileges of any person who has committed a violation related to the operation of a vehicle or streetcar on the approach of an authorized emergency vehicle that resulted in the death of another. Provides that a fee may be imposed for the operation or use of a motor vehicle in the commission of or in the attempt to commit an offense related to domestic battery or the violation of an order of protection. Exempts an official State vehicle and the State employee who is the operator of that vehicle is exempt from any local enforcement action. Allows the Illinois State Police to collect administrative fees from tows. Provides that the driver of a vehicle approaching a yield sign is required for safety to stop, the driver shall stop at a clearly marked stop line, but if none, before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection, or if none, then before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection or, in the event there is no crosswalk, then at the point nearest the intersecting roadway where the driver has a view of approaching traffic on the intersecting roadway. Provides that a person commits aggravated operating a motorcycle, motor driven cycle, or moped on one wheel when he or she violates provisions of the Code related to special speed limits while passing schools and special speed limits while traveling through a highway construction or maintenance speed zone. Provides that a motorcycle may exhibit a white light emitted by a high intensity discharge lamp or a light of yellow or amber tint. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.”

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, this bill revises several provisions of the Illinois Vehicle Code. It removes the Secretary of State’s authority to suspend or revoke a license for certain violations involving emergency vehicles that result in death, and instead limits related suspensions to cases with property damage. It authorizes administrative fees when a vehicle is used in domestic battery or order of protection offenses and lets Illinois State Police collect tow-related fees. The bill broadens exemptions from local enforcement for official State vehicles, clarifies when drivers must stop at yield signs, expands “aggravated” one-wheel motorcycle offenses to school and work-zone speed violations, and allows motorcycles to use white, yellow, or amber high-intensity discharge headlamps. It takes effect immediately.

The bill was sponsored only by Rep. Jay Hoffman (Democrat-113th District).

Bills in Illinois follow a multi-step legislative process, beginning with introduction in either the House or Senate, followed by committee review, floor debates, and votes in both chambers before reaching the governor for approval or veto. The General Assembly operates on a biennial schedule, and while typically thousands of bills are introduced each session, only a fraction successfully pass through the process to become law.

You can read more about bills and other measures here.

Morrison graduated from Knox College in 1978 with a BA.

Morrison, a Democrat, was elected to the Illinois State Senate in 2013 to represent the state’s 29th Senate District, replacing previous state senator Susan Garrett.

Lawmakers listed as “Not Voting” were present for the vote but did not cast a vote. Those marked as having an “Excused Absence” were not present and formally provided a reason for their absence, which was accepted.