SPRINGFIELD – Illinois State Senator Martin Sandoval (D-Chicago) has passed a measure that will help prevent deadly accidents caused by inexperienced young drivers. It stems from an incident involving a teenager who caused another drivers death while driving under a graduated driver’s license (GDL).

“This is legislation was named Kelsey’s Law in honor of Kelsey Little, who received serious injuries in an accident caused by a young driver who had a GDL,” stated Sandoval. “The GDL has been successful in curbing the number of teen driving deaths since it became law in 2008.”

Under current law, a GDL applicant is not required to report any pending traffic citations. House Bill 1009 will prohibit the issuance of a graduated driver’s license to any applicant under the age of 18 years until all of the applicant’s pending traffic citation’s have been resolved.

In addition, under this measure, the secretary of state will be able to cancel the license or permit of any minor if they have had an unresolved traffic citation. After cancellation, the secretary will not issue a new license or permit until the applicant has resolved the citation.

State Senator Martin Sandoval (D-Chicago) missed several weeks of legislative session in Springfield recently, due to a horseback riding accident resulting in three fractured ribs.

“I was bucked by a horse named ‘The Tornado,’ said Sandoval. “I’m just happy to have recovered quickly and be back in Springfield.”

Peoria, Illinois – The annual Innovations Conference on Asphalt and Transportation conference this week included a panel on state funding for transportation projects. Some state lawmakers say there are better ways to fund infrastructure projects than passing occasional massive construction bills. Democratic Senator Martin Sandoval chairs the Senate Transportation Committee. He says he supports forming an independent highway commission to regulate infrastructure funding like other utilities.

“Because it is a utility. We need it. Can’t live without it. And we should treat it that way. And we should not have it compete with Medicaid, with Medicare, with schools.”

Sandoval says the body could serve to regulate the motor fuel-tax or expand the toll system to generate revenue for road projects.

PHOTO: Senate Transportation Chairman Martin Sandoval (2^nd front, right) sits with business, government and education leaders, including former US DOT Secretary Ray LaHood, at the Innovations Conference on Asphalt and Transportation in Peoria.

Illinois State Senator Martin Sandoval (D-Chicago) has fought against shuttering 54 schools in the City of Chicago that will unjustly affect minority communities. 

“I am gravely disappointed. These closings will put our children in danger.  One of the biggest problems is that students will now have to cross gang boundaries to get to their new schools. Also, this proposal will eliminate facilities that are considered anchors in some struggling communities,” said Sandoval, vice chairman of the Senate Local Government Committee.

Nearly 30,000 students will be affected by the CPS closures. Opponents argue that this proposal should contain safeguards to ensure that class sizes don’t increase and the savings from these closures is put back into the education of students, not the administration of CPS.

Sandoval went on to note that the $43 million a year that CPS will save from these closures should go to help relieve the current overcrowding situations experienced at some schools, as well as replacing antiquated mobile units. These savings should build additions, libraries and cafeterias to help meet the growing minority populations in CPS.