Motorists who drive dangerously in a crosswalk will now be facing a one-year suspension of their licenses, now that “Mason’s Law” is officially on the books. The new law was the result of legislation sponsored by State Sen. Jason Barickman (R-Bloomington) and filed by State Rep. Lindsay Parkhurst (R-Kankakee).

"This new law will help make sure that pedestrians can cross the streets safely, and that people who endanger the lives of pedestrians, especially children, are held accountable," said Senator Barickman.

House Bill 2383 requires a 1-year suspension of an individual’s driver’s license if they commit a right-of-way violation at a crosswalk or a crosswalk in a school zone that results in bodily harm or death. The legislation was filed by Parkhurst in response to the death of Iroquois resident Mason Knorr, who was killed in a traffic crash when a semi failed to obey a posted stop sign.

"Mason's Law came from a concerned and grieving parent who approached me during my New Bill Roundtable," stated Rep. Parkhurst. "With this new law, careless drivers in our intersections and school zones will not get off with a simple slap on the wrist."

The legislation was signed into law by Governor JB Pritzker on August 23rd.

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