NEWS

from the Illinois Senate 

State Senator Susan Garrett
Majority Caucus Whip, 29th Senate District

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 2, 2012

FOR MORE INFORMATION
Susan Garrett (847) 433-2002

Garrett measure to ensure more accountability
in driver’s education programs

HIGHWOOD, Illinois – State Senator Susan Garrett (D-Lake Forest) introduced Senate Bill 3367 to ensure that teenagers receive a more affordable, quality driver’s education.  The bill will also, focus on improving transparency and accountability related to driver’s education, developing course standards, maintaining reasonable costs and ensuring vehicle safety.

“As the costs for driver's education continue to escalate, we have seen that teenagers are opting out of taking driver's education courses,” Garrett said.  “It is critical that we rein in the costs and, at the same time, ensure that we have safe and accountable driving education programs throughout the state.”

Garrett believes that parents must be better informed when school districts propose to increase fees for driver’s education.  As an example, Garrett is requiring that school districts proposing fee increases post proposal information on school district websites and alert the public through newspaper notification and e-blasts, if available, prior to voting on the proposal so that parents have an opportunity to understand and comment on the increases.  Additionally, school districts will identify and provide actual costs associated with their driver’s education programs so when the State reimburses school districts, those reimbursements are based on accurate and fair assessments of driver education costs.

Also, under the new measure, the Secretary of State’s office will work with the Department of Education to adopt course content standards for driver’s education taught in public schools and commercial training centers.

Another element of the bill will require that vehicles used in driver’s education in public schools that are over five years old or have 75,000 miles on the odometer undergo an annual inspection. There is currently no requirement that these vehicles undergo any type of inspection, even though buses that are used to transport students are required to be inspected every 6 months or 10,000 miles, whichever occurs first.

For months, Senator Garrett has met with stakeholders, such as the Secretary of State’s office, the Illinois State Board of Education, school district associations, commercial driving school associations and AAA, to hear concerns and suggestions concerning driver’s education.

“It is my goal that before teenagers start driving, they have access to affordable, quality instruction. I am optimistic that his legislation will accomplish those goals,” Garrett stated.

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