New Ill.Law Makes Driving Without Proof of Insurance a Felony

January 3, 2006

The Chicago Sun-Times is reporting that a 23-year-old Chicago woman is the first person to be charged under a new state law that changes two traffic offenses -- driving on a suspended license and driving without proof of insurance -- from misdemeanors to felonies.

Vanessa Alvarado, of the 2300 block of West 23rd, was hit with both charges Monday afternoon after being pulled over in the 4000 block of South Western Avenue for having no brake lights, police said.

She later attempted to drive her car out of a police lot and was charged with criminal trespass, Officer John Mirabelli said.
Alvarado's suspension was for a drunken-driving conviction, he said.