HB2840 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB102 05073 HEP 15092 b

102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2021 and 2022
HB2840

Introduced 2/19/2021, by Rep. Joe Sosnowski

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

625 ILCS 5/1-164.5
625 ILCS 5/7-203	from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 7-203
625 ILCS 5/7-311	from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 7-311
625 ILCS 5/7-317	from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 7-317
625 ILCS 5/12-606	from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 12-606
625 ILCS 5/12-707.01	from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 12-707.01

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Increases the minimum mandatory coverage amounts for liability insurance policies in this State and increases the amounts sufficient to satisfy a judgment following a motor vehicle accident as follows: bodily injury or death to any one person from $25,000 to $50,000; bodily injury or death to more than one person from $50,000 to $100,000; and injury or destruction of property of others from $20,000 to $40,000.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning transportation.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The Illinois Vehicle Code is amended by changing Sections 1-164.5, 7-203, 7-311, 7-317, 12-606, and 12-707.01 as follows:

(625 ILCS 5/1-164.5)

Sec. 1-164.5. Proof of financial responsibility. Proof of ability to respond in damages for any liability thereafter incurred resulting from the ownership, maintenance, use or operation of a motor vehicle for bodily injury to or death of any person in the amount of $50,000 $25,000, and subject to this limit for any one person injured or killed, in the amount of $100,000 $50,000 for bodily injury to or death of 2 or more persons in any one accident, and for damage to property in the amount of $40,000 $20,000 resulting from any one accident. This proof in these amounts shall be furnished for each motor vehicle registered by every person required to furnish this proof. The changes to this Section made by this amendatory Act of the 98th General Assembly apply only to policies issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2015.

(Source: P.A. 98-519, eff. 1-1-15.)

(625 ILCS 5/7-203) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 7-203)

Sec. 7-203. Requirements as to policy or bond. No such policy or bond referred to in Section 7-202 shall be effective under this Section unless issued by an insurance company or surety company authorized to do business in this State, except that if such motor vehicle was not registered in this State, or was a motor vehicle which was registered elsewhere than in this State at the effective date of the policy or bond, or the most recent renewal thereof, such policy or bond shall not be effective under this Section unless the insurance company or surety company, if not authorized to do business in this State, shall execute a power of attorney authorizing the Secretary of State to accept service on its behalf of notice or process in any action upon such policy or bond arising out of such motor vehicle accident. However, every such policy or bond is subject, if the motor vehicle accident has resulted in bodily injury or death, to a limit, exclusive of interest and costs, of not less than $50,000 $25,000 because of bodily injury to or death of any one person in any one motor vehicle accident and, subject to said limit for one person, to a limit of not less than $100,000 $50,000 because of bodily injury to or death of 2 or more persons in any one motor vehicle accident, and, if the motor vehicle accident has resulted in injury to or destruction of property, to a limit of not less than $40,000 $20,000 because of injury to or destruction of property of others in any one motor vehicle accident. The changes to this Section made by this amendatory Act of the 98th General Assembly apply only to policies issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2015.

Upon receipt of a written motor vehicle accident report from the Administrator the insurance company or surety company named in such notice shall notify the Administrator within such time and in such manner as the Administrator may require, in case such policy or bond was not in effect at the time of such motor vehicle accident.

(Source: P.A. 98-519, eff. 1-1-15.)

(625 ILCS 5/7-311) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 7-311)

Sec. 7-311. Payments sufficient to satisfy requirements.

(a) Judgments herein referred to arising out of motor vehicle accidents occurring on or after January 1, 2015 (the effective date of Public Act 98-519) shall for the purpose of this Chapter be deemed satisfied:

1. when $50,000 $25,000 has been credited upon any judgment or judgments rendered in excess of that amount for bodily injury to or the death of one person as the result of any one motor vehicle accident; or

2. when, subject to said limit of $50,000 $25,000 as to any one person, the sum of $100,000 $50,000 has been credited upon any judgment or judgments rendered in excess of that amount for bodily injury to or the death of more than one person as the result of any one motor vehicle accident; or

3. when $40,000 $20,000 has been credited upon any judgment or judgments, rendered in excess of that amount for damages to property of others as a result of any one motor vehicle accident.

The changes to this subsection made by Public Act 98-519 apply only to policies issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2015.

(b) Credit for such amounts shall be deemed a satisfaction of any such judgment or judgments in excess of said amounts only for the purposes of this Chapter.

(c) Whenever payment has been made in settlement of any claim for bodily injury, death, or property damage arising from a motor vehicle accident resulting in injury, death, or property damage to two or more persons in such accident, any such payment shall be credited in reduction of the amounts provided for in this Section.

(Source: P.A. 99-78, eff. 7-20-15; 100-201, eff. 8-18-17.)

(625 ILCS 5/7-317) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 7-317)

Sec. 7-317. "Motor vehicle liability policy" defined.

(a) Certification. -A "motor vehicle liability policy", as that term is used in this Act, means an "owner's policy" or an "operator's policy" of liability insurance, certified as provided in Section 7-315 or Section 7-316 as proof of financial responsibility for the future, and issued, except as otherwise provided in Section 7-316, by an insurance carrier duly authorized to transact business in this State, to or for the benefit of the person named therein as insured.

(b) Owner's Policy. --Such owner's policy of liability insurance:

1. Shall designate by explicit description or by appropriate reference, all motor vehicles with respect to which coverage is thereby intended to be granted;

2. Shall insure the person named therein and any other person using or responsible for the use of such motor vehicle or vehicles with the express or implied permission of the insured;

3. Shall insure every named insured and any other person using or responsible for the use of any motor vehicle owned by the named insured and used by such other person with the express or implied permission of the named insured on account of the maintenance, use or operation of any motor vehicle owned by the named insured, within the continental limits of the United States or the Dominion of Canada against loss from liability imposed by law arising from such maintenance, use or operation, to the extent and aggregate amount, exclusive of interest and cost, with respect to each motor vehicle, of $50,000 $25,000 for bodily injury to or death of one person as a result of any one accident and, subject to such limit as to one person, the amount of $100,000 $50,000 for bodily injury to or death of all persons as a result of any one accident and the amount of $40,000 $20,000 for damage to property of others as a result of any one accident. The changes to this paragraph made by this amendatory Act of the 98th General Assembly apply only to policies issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2015.

(c) Operator's Policy. --When an operator's policy is required, it shall insure the person named therein as insured against the liability imposed by law upon the insured for bodily injury to or death of any person or damage to property to the amounts and limits above set forth and growing out of the use or operation by the insured within the continental limits of the United States or the Dominion of Canada of any motor vehicle not owned by him.

(d) Required Statements in Policies. --Every motor vehicle liability policy must specify the name and address of the insured, the coverage afforded by the policy, the premium charged therefor, the policy period, and the limits of liability, and shall contain an agreement that the insurance thereunder is provided in accordance with the coverage defined in this Act, as respects bodily injury and death or property damage or both, and is subject to all the provisions of this Act.

(e) Policy Need Not Insure Workers' Compensation. --Any liability policy or policies issued hereunder need not cover any liability of the insured assumed by or imposed upon the insured under any workers' compensation law nor any liability for damage to property in charge of the insured or the insured's employees.

(f) Provisions Incorporated in Policy. --Every motor vehicle liability policy is subject to the following provisions which need not be contained therein:

1. The liability of the insurance carrier under any such policy shall become absolute whenever loss or damage covered by the policy occurs and the satisfaction by the insured of a final judgment for such loss or damage shall not be a condition precedent to the right or obligation of the carrier to make payment on account of such loss or damage.

2. No such policy may be cancelled or annulled as respects any loss or damage, by any agreement between the carrier and the insured after the insured has become responsible for such loss or damage, and any such cancellation or annulment shall be void.

3. The insurance carrier shall, however, have the right to settle any claim covered by the policy, and if such settlement is made in good faith, the amount thereof shall be deductible from the limits of liability specified in the policy.

4. The policy, the written application therefor, if any, and any rider or endorsement which shall not conflict with the provisions of this Act shall constitute the entire contract between the parties.

(g) Excess or Additional Coverage. --Any motor vehicle liability policy may, however, grant any lawful coverage in excess of or in addition to the coverage herein specified or contain any agreements, provisions, or stipulations not in conflict with the provisions of this Act and not otherwise contrary to law.

(h) Reimbursement Provision Permitted. --The policy may provide that the insured, or any other person covered by the policy shall reimburse the insurance carrier for payment made on account of any loss or damage claim or suit involving a breach of the terms, provisions or conditions of the policy; and further, if the policy shall provide for limits in excess of the limits specified in this Act, the insurance carrier may plead against any plaintiff, with respect to the amount of such excess limits of liability, any defense which it may be entitled to plead against the insured.

(i) Proration of Insurance Permitted. --The policy may provide for the pro-rating of the insurance thereunder with other applicable valid and collectible insurance.

(j) Binders. --Any binder pending the issuance of any policy, which binder contains or by reference includes the provisions hereunder shall be sufficient proof of ability to respond in damages.

(k) Copy of Policy to Be Filed with Department of Insurance--Approval. --A copy of the form of every motor vehicle liability policy which is to be used to meet the requirements of this Act must be filed, by the company offering such policy, with the Department of Insurance, which shall approve or disapprove the policy within 30 days of its filing. If the Department approves the policy in writing within such 30 day period or fails to take action for 30 days, the form of policy shall be deemed approved as filed. If within the 30 days the Department disapproves the form of policy filed upon the ground that it does not comply with the requirements of this Act, the Department shall give written notice of its decision and its reasons therefor to the carrier and the policy shall not be accepted as proof of financial responsibility under this Act.

(l) Insurance Carrier Required to File Certificate. --An insurance carrier who has issued a motor vehicle liability policy or policies or an operator's policy meeting the requirements of this Act shall, upon the request of the insured therein, deliver to the insured for filing, or at the request of the insured, shall file direct, with the Secretary of State a certificate, as required by this Act, which shows that such policy or policies have been issued. No insurance carrier may require the payment of any extra fee or surcharge, in addition to the insurance premium, for the execution, delivery or filing of such certificate.

(m) Proof When Made By Endorsement. --Any motor vehicle liability policy which by endorsement contains the provisions required hereunder shall be sufficient proof of ability to respond in damages.

(Source: P.A. 98-519, eff. 1-1-15.)

(625 ILCS 5/12-606) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 12-606)

Sec. 12-606. Tow trucks; identification; equipment; insurance.

(a) Every tow truck, except those owned by governmental agencies, shall have displayed on each side thereof, a sign with letters not less than 2 inches in height, contrasting in color to that of the background, stating the full legal name, complete address (including street address and city), and telephone number of the owner or operator thereof. This information shall be permanently affixed to the sides of the tow truck.

(b) Every tow truck shall be equipped with:

(1) One or more brooms and shovels;

(2) One or more trash cans of at least 5 gallon capacity; and

(3) One fire extinguisher. This extinguisher shall be either:

(i) of the dry chemical or carbon dioxide type with an aggregate rating of at least 4-B, C units, and bearing the approval of a laboratory qualified by the Division of Fire Prevention for this purpose; or

(ii) One that meets the requirements of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations of the United States Department of Transportation for fire extinguishers on commercial motor vehicles.

(c) Every owner or operator and driver of a tow truck shall comply with Section 11-1413 of this Code and shall remove or cause to be removed all glass and debris, except any (i) hazardous substance as defined in Section 3.215 of the Environmental Protection Act, (ii) hazardous waste as defined in Section 3.220 of the Environmental Protection Act, and (iii) medical samples or waste, including but not limited to any blood samples, used syringes, other used medical supplies, or any other potentially infectious medical waste as defined in Section 3.360 of the Environmental Protection Act, deposited upon any street or highway by the disabled vehicle being serviced, and shall in addition, spread dirt or sand or oil absorbent upon that portion of any street or highway where oil or grease has been deposited by the disabled vehicle being serviced.

(d) Every tow truck operator shall in addition file an indemnity bond, insurance policy, or other proof of insurance in a form to be prescribed by the Secretary for: garagekeepers liability insurance, in an amount no less than a combined single limit of $500,000, and truck (auto) liability insurance in an amount no less than a combined single limit of $500,000, on hook coverage or garagekeepers coverage in an amount of no less than $25,000 which shall indemnify or insure the tow truck operator for the following:

(1) Bodily injury or damage to the property of others.

(2) Damage to any vehicle towed by the tower.

(3) In case of theft, loss of, or damage to any vehicle stored, garagekeepers legal liability coverage in an amount of no less than $50,000 $25,000.

(4) In case of injury to or occupational illness of the tow truck driver or helper, workers compensation insurance meeting the minimum requirements of the Workers' Compensation Act.

Any such bond or policy shall be issued only by a bonding or insuring firm authorized to do business as such in the State of Illinois, and a certificate of such bond or policy shall be carried in the cab of each tow truck.

(e) The bond or policy required in subsection (d) shall provide that the insurance carrier may cancel it by serving previous notice, as required by Sections 143.14 and 143.16 of the Illinois Insurance Code, in writing, either personally or by registered mail, upon the owner or operator of the motor vehicle and upon the Secretary of State. Whenever any such bond or policy shall be so cancelled, the Secretary of State shall mark the policy "Cancelled" and shall require such owner or operator either to furnish a new bond or policy, in accordance with this Act.

(Source: P.A. 100-863, eff. 8-14-18.)

(625 ILCS 5/12-707.01) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 12-707.01)

Sec. 12-707.01. Liability insurance.

(a) No school bus, first division vehicle including a taxi which is used for a purpose that requires a school bus driver permit, commuter van or motor vehicle owned by or used for hire by and in connection with the operation of private or public schools, day camps, summer camps or nursery schools, and no commuter van or passenger car used for a for-profit ridesharing arrangement, shall be operated for such purposes unless the owner thereof shall carry a minimum of personal injury liability insurance in the amount of $50,000 $25,000 for any one person in any one accident, and subject to the limit for one person, $100,000 for two or more persons injured by reason of the operation of the vehicle in any one accident. This subsection (a) applies only to personal injury liability policies issued or renewed before January 1, 2013.

(b) Liability insurance policies issued or renewed on and after January 1, 2013 shall comply with the following:

(1) except as provided in subparagraph (2) of this subsection (b), any vehicle that is used for a purpose that requires a school bus driver permit under Section 6-104 of this Code shall carry a minimum of liability insurance in the amount of $2,000,000. This minimum insurance requirement may be satisfied by either (i) a $2,000,000 combined single limit primary commercial automobile policy; or (ii) a $1 million primary commercial automobile policy and a minimum $5,000,000 excess or umbrella liability policy;

(2) any vehicle that is used for a purpose that requires a school bus driver permit under Section 6-104 of this Code and is used in connection with the operation of private day care facilities, day camps, summer camps, or nursery schools shall carry a minimum of liability insurance in the amount of $1,000,000 combined single limit per accident;

(3) any commuter van or passenger car used for a for-profit ridesharing arrangement shall carry a minimum of liability insurance in the amount of $500,000 combined single limit per accident.

(c) Primary insurance coverage under the provisions of this Section must be provided by a licensed and admitted insurance carrier or an intergovernmental cooperative formed under Section 10 of Article VII of the Illinois Constitution, or Section 6 or 9 of the Intergovernmental Cooperation Act, or provided by a certified self-insurer under Section 7-502 of this Code. The excess or umbrella liability coverage requirement may be met by securing surplus line insurance as defined under Section 445 of the Illinois Insurance Code. If the excess or umbrella liability coverage requirement is met by securing surplus line insurance, that coverage must be effected through a licensed surplus line producer acting under the surplus line insurance laws and regulations of this State. Nothing in this subsection (c) shall be construed as prohibiting a licensed and admitted insurance carrier or an intergovernmental cooperative formed under Section 10 of Article VII of the Illinois Constitution, or Section 6 or 9 of the Intergovernmental Cooperation Act, or a certified self-insurer under Section 7-502 of this Code, from retaining the risk required under paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (b) of this Section or issuing a single primary policy meeting the requirements of paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (b).

(d) Each owner of a vehicle required to obtain the minimum liability requirements under subsection (b) of this Section shall attest that the vehicle meets the minimum insurance requirements under this Section. The Secretary of State shall create a form for each owner of a vehicle to attest that the owner meets the minimum insurance requirements and the owner of the vehicle shall submit the form with each registration application. The form shall be valid for the full registration period; however, if at any time the Secretary has reason to believe that the owner does not have the minimum required amount of insurance for a vehicle, then the Secretary may require a certificate of insurance, or its equivalent, to ensure the vehicle is insured. If the owner fails to produce a certificate of insurance, or its equivalent, within 2 calendar days after the request was made, then the Secretary may revoke the vehicle owner's registration until the Secretary is assured the vehicle meets the minimum insurance requirements. If the owner of a vehicle participates in an intergovernmental cooperative or is self-insured, then the owner shall attest that the insurance required under this Section is equivalent to or greater than the insurance required under paragraph (1) of subsection (b) of this Section. The Secretary may adopt any rules necessary to enforce the provisions of this subsection (d).

(Source: P.A. 99-595, eff. 1-1-17.)