About 2,600 People Lose Illinois Licenses Over Unreported Old Convictions

The Associated Press Published: Jul 25, 2001

CHICAGO (AP) - Nearly 2,600 Illinois driver's licenses were revoked this year because of reckless homicide or felony drunken driving convictions that had not been reported to the secretary of state's office. Last year, 521 licenses were revoked by Secretary of State Jesse White in similar cases.

State law requires court clerks to report driving convictions to the secretary of state's office. That often did not happen due to confusion about paperwork, and people were able to renew their licenses without any problems, the Chicago Tribune reported Wednesday.

Following a search ordered by Cook County Circuit Clerk Dorothy Brown, officials have found hundreds of unreported convictions over the last decade.

A lawsuit filed in Cook County is challenging White's actions, arguing it punishes drivers who have paid a penalty.

"I don't care how far back we have to go," White said. "Whether we're talking about 10 people or 10,000 people, we're going to hold hard and fast on our policy with regard to these individuals."

AP-ES-07-25-01 1445EDT

-- Anonymous, July 25, 2001