Under current Illinois DUI law, drunk driving offenders lose their ability to drive and, therefore, often tend to lose their job. This can lead to financial ruin. These people often have to jump through hoops to get reinstated, a process requiring costly attorney's fees and quite a bit of time. Permits are available, but not necessarily immediately, and the waiting period alone can cost people their livelihood. 

Under the newly passed law, effective January 2016, even repeat offenders can drive so long as they have ignition interlock devices installed in their vehicle, and the 30 day waiting period for obtaining a permit during a statutory summary suspension will allow them to continue to work while keeping communities safe. Additionally, permits attached to regular breath testing using ignition interlock devices are expanded for those with lifetime revocations for multiple prior DUI convictions, better assuring those driving will be doing so legally and safely.

Kudos to Governor Rauner and the State legislature for passing common-sense solutions to a problem that created a dangerous dilemma for the accused, and very often ruined lives.