6-10-09 to Steans uninsured driver prison sentences

June 10, 2009

Dear Senator Steans,

I am writing to urge you to fight against proposed legislation to create mandatory prison sentences for drivers caught operating a vehicle without proper automobile insurance. I think this proposed legislation would be a mistake for several reasons.

First and foremost, we simply can’t afford to send these people to prison. This morning I listened to news that the Quinn administration would be sending letters to non-profit organizations telling them that they should expect massive budget cuts to state funding in the coming fiscal year. In recent weeks I have also heard that I should plan to see my income tax rates increase. Since it costs more than $23,000 on average to incarcerate an inmate in Illinois we should look for ways to keep non-violent offenders out of prison, not create provisions that mandate they be sent there.

Secondly, our prison system is broken. As the recent criticism of the Tamms Correctional Center illustrates, we have not been able to process inmates justly and effectively. Whether this defect has occurred because of administrative ineffiencies or budget shortfall, the last thing we currently need is to place more non-violent offenders into our prison system.

Finally, this proposal promises to exact the most severe toll on the poorest in our state precisely when they are most vulnerable. Poorer families across Illinois, faced with increased household expenses, are under tremendous economic pressure to find ways to cut expenditures in their domestic budgets. It is reasonable to assume that, between lost jobs, increased expenses and diminished aid from social service agencies, many families may feel forced to cut out such expenditures as automobile insurance. As we cut public funding and aid to social service agencies and we should do what we can to alleviate economic strain not setting up mandatory sentencing structures that act to exacerbate the pressure.

As a driver with only liability insurance, I am keenly aware of the risk involved in sharing the road with the uninsured. Still, whatever -if any- deterrence the provision might create would be far outweighed by its negative impact on our state’s budget, poor families and our prison infrastructure. Please fight against mandatory sentences for uninsured drivers.

Thank you for your service to the people of Illinois.

-HW