Illinois House passes bill letting DUI offenders drive with breathalyzer restrictions

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WTVO) — The Illinois House has passed a bill that would allow people convicted of DUI to apply for restricted driving privileges, as long as they agree to use a blood-alcohol monitoring device.

House Bill 2658 would amend the Illinois Vehicle Code to allow the Secretary of State’s office to issue a restricted driving permit allowing someone convicted of DUI to drive 6 days a week, 12 hours per day, within a 200-mile radius of their home.

The driver would have to agree to use a Breath Alcohol Ignition Interlock Device (BAIID), a breathalyzer that prevents a vehicle from starting if the driver’s breath alcohol content is above a set limit.

The bill would require drivers to pay $30 a month to use the device and a $100 installation fee.

Persons involved in a fatal accident while under the influence of alcohol or drugs would not be eligible for the permit.

HB2658 passed the House on Monday and now heads to the Senate.