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

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.

Latest Comments

• January 4, 2006 at 1:57 am

  Shelby says:

  Arn\'t we overreacting a bit. The person was already a criminal.She was convicted of drunk driving (note- not only poor people do this). She then choose to drive on a suspende... read more
• January 4, 2006 at 8:38 am

  Hal says:

  The various cities of the Dallas and Ft Worth area are beginning to impound cars of the uninsured. By law they can impound a car for up to six months until the owner provides ... read more
• January 4, 2006 at 7:13 am

  Rob says:

  Requiring insurance is about protecting me, not hurting \"poor people\". I would have no problem with not requiring insurance if the tortfeasor would be held financially liabl... read more