Cross, Hatcher Seek to Renew 'Adam's Law' in Honor of Victims of Impaired, Distracted Drivers

State Reps. Tom Cross (R-Oswego) and Kay Hatcher (R-Yorkville) are seeking to renew a law that will allow roadside memorials in honor of victims of traffic fatalities involving impaired and distracted drivers.

House Bill 2372 would re-enact the fatal accident memorial marker program, which sunset on December 31, 2012. The Roadside Memorial Act raises awareness of the dangers of reckless driving while allowing families an opportunity to remember the victims of crashes involving reckless drivers.

The Act is named Adam’s Law after 5 year-old Adam Miller of Naperville who was tragically killed in a traffic accident in 2008.

Related: State Law Based on Family's Tragic Loss

House Bill 2372 passed unanimously out of the Transportation Committee Wednesday. If approved by the General Assembly and signed into law by the Governor, the Act would apply to markers constructed on or after January 1, 2013.

“Families like Adam’s deserve the ability to honor the life of a loved one at the site of their tragic loss,” said Cross. “This simple yet important legislation would enable families to do so safely and legally.” 

“Distracted and impaired driving shatters families and takes innocent lives,” Hatcher added. “Roadside memorials are a grave reminder to all of us to drive safely and always use caution regardless of the road or weather conditions.”