Legislation to End Discriminatory Driving Law One Step Closer to Passage
Legislation I originally introduced last year to end discriminatory driving laws has cleared a key Senate Committee and is on its way to the Senate floor for final action.
House Bill 1226 would eliminate the automatic behind-the-wheel driving test rule for drivers aged 79-87 in Illinois. Over the last few years, I have received hundreds of calls and emails from responsible older drivers who felt they were being discriminated against due to their age. This new legislation removes an unnecessary burden from millions of drivers who have stellar driving records.
Currently, drivers aged 79 and 80 must take a driving test when their four-year license is due for renewal. For drivers aged 81-86, they must retake the driving test every two years, and after the age of 87, driving tests are required annually.
The provisions of HB 1226 would bring Illinois’ driving laws in line with senior driving regulations in other states. Under the bill, which received House of Representatives approval in April:
- Drivers aged 79 and 80 would still be required to visit a DMV facility if they need to renew their driver’s license and take a vision test (and a written test if they have a driving violation on their record) but would not have to take a behind-the-wheel test.
- Drivers between the ages of 81-86 would still be required to visit a DMV facility to renew their license every two years and would have to take a vision test (and a written test if they have a driving violation on their record) but would not have to take a behind-the-wheel test.
- Rules for drivers aged 87 and older would remain the same, with a behind-the-wheel driving test and vision test required annually.
Illinois is the only state that still has this kind of antiquated law on the books, and I am pleased to know that this year’s bill is gaining traction and is close to crossing the finish line. Secretary Giannoulias and the Illinois AARP support this bill, and I look forward to its passage in the Senate in the coming weeks.
Busy Events Weekend in the 33rd!
I held two very successful events over the weekend and into this week. On Saturday I hosted my first-ever Pet Adoption Event at St. Charles Hardware- Do it Best in St. Charles. We partnered with Anderson Humane of South Elgin, and I’m thrilled to announce that eight puppies found their forever homes on Saturday, and a few additional families are finalizing paperwork for pet adoptions. We’ll definitely be back, as the success of the adoptions exceeded our expectations! Click here to view a video from the event.
Then, this morning, my team and I were up and out early as we greeted the hardworking nursing staff at Advocate Sherman Hospital during the 7:00 AM shift change. Nurses leaving the night shift and arriving for the day shift all received gift bags as a small showing of our admiration and respect for Nurses Appreciation Week. Click here to view a short video of our Nurses Appreciation event.
Household Hazardous Waste Collection – Crystal Lake
As a reminder, on June 7, 2025, Illinois residents can safely dispose of household hazardous waste at Prairie Ridge High School, 6000 Dvorak Drive, Crystal Lake, IL. This free event runs from 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM and is co-sponsored by McHenry County. Pre-registration is required, and spots are filling up fast (click here to register). Bring items like oil-based paints, cleaners, pesticides, and more, but please leave latex paint, propane tanks, and business waste at home.
For safe transport, residents are asked to:
- Pack HHW items in a disposable box to prevent spills
- Keep “like” chemicals together and separate unlike chemicals
- Secure lids and check for leaks
- Place boxes in the empty trunk or storage area, away from passengers
- Remain in your vehicle — on-site staff will unload the materials
Click here to view a full list of items that will be accepted and not accepted at this event.
Senator DeWitte, Representative Ugaste to Host Prescription Drug Takeback Event
It’s time to clean out the medicine cabinet, because State Representative Dan Ugaste and I are partnering with the South Elgin Police Department on May 16 for a Prescription and Over-the-Counter Drug Takeback Event.
By properly disposing of unused and expired medications, we are protecting our water supply from contamination and preventing accidental poisonings or misuse of drugs. I think we all have items in our medicine cabinets that are expired or that we no longer need, so this provides the perfect opportunity to safely dispose of drugs and vitamins and prevent accidental harm.
Drug Takeback Event
Friday, May 16
9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
South Elgin Police Department
50 S. Water Street, South Elgin
Human and pet prescription and over-the-counter drugs and vitamins will be accepted, and those dropping off unused or expired medications can remain in their vehicles while event volunteers collect their items. Liquids, creams, needles, and illegal drugs will not be accepted.
For more information about this upcoming event, please call my office at (847) 214-8245 or contact Abby at amccarthy@sgop.ilga.gov.
Mark Your Calendars for DeWitte Outreach Events
My summer and fall events calendar continues to grow! As a reminder, when my office holds traveling office hours, my staff is available to help constituents navigate issues they may be having with state departments and agencies, like unemployment issues, licensure problems, and FOID/Concealed Carry delays. I attend these events only as my schedule permits.
Please mark your calendars now for these upcoming events:
- May 16: Prescription Drug Drop-Off Event, South Elgin Police Department, 50 S. Water Street, South Elgin, 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
- May 29: Traveling Office Hours, Elburn Town & Country Public Library, 320 E North St, Elburn, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
- June 4: Property Tax Seminar, DeWitte-Ugaste Legislative Office, 406 Surrey Woods Drive, St. Charles, 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM
- June 11: Traveling Office Hours, Crystal Lake Public Library, 126 W. Paddock Street, Crystal Lake, 10:00 AM – 12:00 Noon
- June 17: Traveling Office Hours, Geneva Public Library, 227 S. 7th Street, Geneva
- June 28: Document Shredding Event, Salvation Army Tri-City Corps Community Center, 1710 S. 7th Avenue, St. Charles, 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
- July 15: Traveling Office Hours, Lake in the Hills Village Hall, 600 Harvest Gate, LITH
- July 9: Traveling Office Hours, Gail Borden Public Library District (South Elgin Branch), 127 S. McLean Blvd, South Elgin, 10:00 AM – 12:00 Noon
- August 19: ICASH Unclaimed Property Event, Gail Borden Public Library District (South Elgin Branch), 127 S. McLean Blvd, South Elgin, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
- September 4: Senior Fair in Carpentersville, Dundee Township Rakow Center, 665 Barrington Ave, Carpentersville, 10:00 AM – 12:00 Noon
- September 16 or TBA: Senior Fair in St. Charles, Details TBA
- October 14: Senior Fair in Crystal Lake, Grand Oaks Recreation Building 1401 IL-176, 10:00 AM – 12:00 Noon
Additional events are added regularly, so please visit the Events page on my website to remain up-to-date on outreach activities in the district.