Public Act 097-0838 (HB5493) Summary

• Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code to allow the Secretary of State to require (rather than merely permit) electronic submission and receipt of vehicle records by licensees under Chapters 3 and 5.

• Adds a new dealer lien release certificate of title with a $20 fee, allowing motor vehicle dealers to obtain corrected titles when liens are released by lienholders.

• Creates new administrative citation authority allowing Secretary of State Police investigators to issue citations for code violations with penalties up to $50 per violation, requiring at least 3 violations before penalties apply.

• Adds a second mandatory license revocation ground for second or subsequent convictions of illegal possession of controlled substances while operating a motor vehicle and modifies first offense drug possession penalties under discretionary revocation provisions.

• Makes technical changes including modifying the section title for criminal penalties and adding a new administrative hearing requirement for driving privilege revocations.