Bill Text: IL SB1251 | 2023-2024 | 103rd General Assembly | Engrossed

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft

---

Bill Title: Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that the operator of the ambulance or rescue vehicle shall have documented training in the operation of an ambulance or rescue vehicle prior to operating that vehicle. Provides that the driver of an ambulance or rescue vehicle may proceed past a red traffic control signal or stop sign if the ambulance or rescue vehicle is making use of both the audible and visual signals meeting the required, but only after slowing down as necessary for safe operation.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 16-0)

Status: (Passed) 2023-08-04 - Public Act . . . . . . . . . 103-0484 [SB1251 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2023-SB1251-Engrossed.html

---

SB1251 Engrossed LRB103 28855 MXP 55240 b
AN ACT concerning transportation.
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
represented in the General Assembly:
Section 1. This Act may be referred to as the Donald (DJ)
Stallworth, III Act.
Section 5. The Illinois Vehicle Code is amended by
changing Section 11-1421 as follows:
(625 ILCS 5/11-1421) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 11-1421)
Sec. 11-1421. Conditions for operating ambulances and
rescue vehicles.
(a) No person shall operate an ambulance or rescue vehicle
in a manner not conforming to the motor vehicle laws and
regulations of this State or of any political subdivision of
this State as such laws and regulations apply to motor
vehicles in general, unless in compliance with the following
conditions:
0.5. The operator of the ambulance or rescue vehicle
shall have documented training in the operation of an
ambulance or rescue vehicle prior to operating that
vehicle. This training shall include the proper use of
warning lights and sirens, situations where warning lights
and sirens are warranted, and the provisions of this

SB1251 Engrossed - 2 - LRB103 28855 MXP 55240 b
Section.
1. The person operating the ambulance shall be either
responding to a bona fide emergency call or specifically
directed by a licensed physician to disregard traffic laws
in operating the ambulance during and for the purpose of
the specific trip or journey that is involved;
2. The ambulance or rescue vehicle shall be equipped
with a siren producing an audible signal of an intensity
of 100 decibels at a distance of 50 feet from the siren,
and with a lamp or lamps emitting an oscillating, rotating
or flashing red beam directed in part toward the front of
the vehicle, and these lamps shall have sufficient
intensity to be visible at 500 feet in normal sunlight,
and in addition to other lighting requirements, excluding
those vehicles operated in counties with a population in
excess of 2,000,000, may also operate with a lamp or lamps
emitting an oscillating, rotating, or flashing green
light;
3. The aforesaid siren and lamp or lamps shall be in
operation at all times when it is reasonably necessary to
warn pedestrians and other drivers of the approach thereof
during such trip or journey, except that in a municipality
with a population over 1,000,000, the siren and lamp or
lamps shall be in operation only when it is reasonably
necessary to warn pedestrians and other drivers of the
approach thereof while responding to an emergency call or

SB1251 Engrossed - 3 - LRB103 28855 MXP 55240 b
transporting a patient who presents a combination of
circumstances resulting in a need for immediate medical
intervention;
4. Whenever the ambulance or rescue vehicle is
operated at a speed in excess of 40 miles per hour, the
ambulance or rescue vehicle shall be operated in complete
conformance with every other motor vehicle law and
regulation of this State and of the political subdivision
in which the ambulance or rescue vehicle is operated,
relating to the operation of motor vehicles, as such
provision applies to motor vehicles in general, except
laws and regulations pertaining to compliance with
official traffic-control devices or to vehicular operation
upon the right half of the roadway; and
5. The ambulance shall display registration plates
identifying the vehicle as an ambulance.
(a-5) The driver of an ambulance or rescue vehicle may
proceed past a red traffic control signal or stop sign if the
ambulance or rescue vehicle is making use of both the audible
and visual signals meeting the requirement of this Section,
but only after slowing down as necessary for safe operation.
(b) The foregoing provisions do not relieve the driver of
an ambulance or rescue vehicle from the duty of driving with
due regard for the safety of all persons, nor do such
provisions protect the driver from the consequences resulting
from the reckless disregard for the safety of others.

SB1251 Engrossed - 4 - LRB103 28855 MXP 55240 b
(Source: P.A. 100-962, eff. 1-1-19.)