SR1943 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1943 LRB099 22074 MST 49360 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, It is incumbent upon the members of this body to take appropriate measures to ensure the health and safety of the citizens of this State; and

WHEREAS, Ridesharing has become a popular mode of transportation and a source of income for drivers in many states across the country, including Illinois; and

WHEREAS, Although ridesharing companies perform criminal background checks, those checks have often proved inadequate, allowing those convicted of sex crimes, homicides, and other dangerous felonies to be approved as drivers; and

WHEREAS, On May 18, 2016 in Gaithersburg, Maryland, a rideshare driver with an extensive criminal record was arrested for allegedly using a homemade gun to attempt to shoot and kill multiple county police officers; and

WHEREAS, At the time of his arrest, it was discovered that the rideshare driver had a lengthy felony record, including weapons possession, arson, armed robbery, burglary, drug possession, vehicle theft, and malicious destruction of property; and

WHEREAS, The possibility of having rideshare drivers in Illinois with extensive criminal records is a grave concern; and

WHEREAS, In 2014, the General Assembly passed HB 4075, establishing greater guidelines, including criminal background checks with fingerprinting, which has been proven an effective method of criminal identification; however, the bill was vetoed by then Governor, Pat Quinn; therefore be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we urge the Chicago City Council to pass Alderman Anthony Beale’s ordinance to mandate that criminal background checks include fingerprinting for all rideshare drivers; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be delivered to Chicago Mayor, Rahm Emanuel, and all members of the Chicago City Council.