ROCKFORD – Senate Bill 2888, also known as “Julie’s Law”, is
so new it is not in any officer’s ticket book, and Winnebago County Sheriff’s
and Rockford police officials were unaware of the legislation.
But as they say, “Ignorance of the law is no excuse.”
So as of July 1, anyone caught speeding more than 30 miles
an hour above the posted speed limit on highways or 25 mph over or more in
urban areas will not be able to walk out of the courtroom with a slap on the
wrist as in court supervision.
The bill, sponsored by state Sen. Maggie Crotty, D-Oak
Forest, was signed into law by Gov. Pat Quinn on July 20, 2012.
The law is named after 17-year-old Julie Gorczynski, a
Frankfort girl killed in June 2011 in
Orland Park when a Mazda smashed into the passenger side of her friend’s Jeep.
The 21-year-old Mazda driver, Lukasz Marszalek of Lemont, who had a history of
speeding violations, was found to be traveling at least 76 mph, nearly double
the 40 mph speed limit.
According to a Chicago Tribune report, between October 2006
and August 2009, Marszalek was cited six times.
On Aug. 7, 2009, the same day he appeared in DuPage County
court for a speeding ticket and received his fourth supervision, Marszalek was
cited with driving more than 100 mph in a 55 mph zone in Will County.
He was given a plea bargain that reduced the charge and
included yet another supervision, so long as he paid a $500 fine,
After the death of Gorczynski, Marszalek was fined $275 and
sentenced to six months in prison.
As for the judge who issued court supervision for
Marszalek’s previous offense before the fatal accident, Will County Chief Judge
Gerald R. Kinney told the Tribune in an email 350 to 500 cases are seen in an
afternoon of traffic court, and judges rely on attorneys to tell them whether a
defendant is ineligible for supervision.
Winnebago County State’s Attorney Joe Bruscato said he has
no problem with that.
“I do think it is incumbent upon the attorney to keep the
court informed about a person’s background,” he said.
“We have a traffic history called an abstract. We always
have their background available before ever entering into a disposition.”
Chris Green: 815-987-1241; cgreen@rrstar.com; @chrisfgreen
Other new Illinois laws
Most new Illinois laws take effect every Jan. 1, but a few
become effective at different times of the year. In addition to “Julie’s Law,”
here are four other measures that took effect July 1:
Read more:
http://www.rrstar.com/news/x946749027/New-state-law-targets-excessive-speeders#ixzz2YTFQmlmo
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