625 ILCS 5/ Illinois Vehicle Code.

(625 ILCS 5/7-316) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 7-316)

Sec. 7-316. Certificate furnished by nonresident as proof. Any nonresident owner of a motor vehicle not registered in this State may give proof of financial responsibility by filing with the Secretary of State a certificate or certificates of an insurance carrier authorized to transact business in the state or province of the Dominion of Canada in which the motor vehicle or motor vehicles described in such certificate are registered, or if such nonresident does not own a motor vehicle then in the state or province of the Dominion of Canada in which the insured resides, and otherwise conforming to the provisions of this Code, and the Secretary of State shall accept the same if such carrier shall:

1. Execute a power of attorney authorizing the Secretary of State to accept service on its behalf of notice of process in any action arising out of a motor vehicle crash in this State;

2. Duly adopt a resolution which shall be binding upon it declaring that its policies shall be deemed to be varied to comply with the laws of this State relating to the terms of motor vehicle liability policies as required by Section 7-317; and

3. Agree to accept as final and binding any final judgment duly rendered in any action arising out of a motor vehicle crash in any court of competent jurisdiction in this State.

(Source: P.A. 102-982, eff. 7-1-23.)

(625 ILCS 5/7-316.1)

Sec. 7-316.1. Nonresidents and former residents; when proof not required.

(a) Any nonresident or former Illinois resident who (i) has met all requirements for reinstatement of his or her driving or registration privileges under this Chapter except for filing proof of financial responsibility, (ii) resides outside of Illinois, and (iii) has applied for a driver's license in another state, shall be released from the requirement of showing proof of financial responsibility in this State if he or she presents to the Secretary of State, in a manner satisfactory to the Secretary, notice of his or her out-of-state residency.

(b) Any nonresident or former Illinois resident whose driver's license was revoked and who (i) has met all requirements for applying for driving privileges except for filing proof of financial responsibility under this Chapter, (ii) resides outside of Illinois, and (iii) has applied for a driver's license in another state, shall be released from the requirement of showing proof of financial responsibility in this State if he or she presents to the Secretary of State, in a manner satisfactory to the Secretary, notice of his or her out-of-state residency.

(b-5) Any nonresident or former Illinois resident who has submitted satisfactory documentation to the Secretary of State to be released of showing proof of financial responsibility in this State shall have his or her Illinois license cancelled 60 days after acceptance of notice of cancellation, as provided in Section 6-201 of this Code.

(c) If a nonresident or former Illinois resident released from the requirement of showing proof of financial responsibility in this State under subsection (a) or subsection (b) of this Section moves or returns to this State within 3 years of the date of release, that person must present to the Secretary of State, in a manner satisfactory to the Secretary, proof of insurance coverage during the period in which the person lived outside of Illinois. A person who fails to present the required proof may not be issued a driver's license until he or she presents proof of financial responsibility that is satisfactory under this Chapter. The proof of financial responsibility required under this subsection (c) must be shown or maintained for the period of time required under this Chapter.

(d) The Secretary shall adopt rules for implementing this Section.

(Source: P.A. 98-178, eff. 1-1-14.)

(625 ILCS 5/7-317) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 7-317)

Sec. 7-317. "Motor vehicle liability policy" defined.

(a) Certification. -A "motor vehicle liability policy", as that term is used in this Act, means an "owner's policy" or an "operator's policy" of liability insurance, certified as provided in Section 7-315 or Section 7-316 as proof of financial responsibility for the future, and issued, except as otherwise provided in Section 7-316, by an insurance carrier duly authorized to transact business in this State, to or for the benefit of the person named therein as insured.

(b) Owner's Policy. --Such owner's policy of liability insurance:

1. Shall designate by explicit description or by appropriate reference, all motor vehicles with respect to which coverage is thereby intended to be granted;

2. Shall insure the person named therein and any other person using or responsible for the use of such motor vehicle or vehicles with the express or implied permission of the insured;

3. Shall insure every named insured and any other person using or responsible for the use of any motor vehicle owned by the named insured and used by such other person with the express or implied permission of the named insured on account of the maintenance, use or operation of any motor vehicle owned by the named insured, within the continental limits of the United States or the Dominion of Canada against loss from liability imposed by law arising from such maintenance, use or operation, to the extent and aggregate amount, exclusive of interest and cost, with respect to each motor vehicle, of $25,000 for bodily injury to or death of one person as a result of any one crash and, subject to such limit as to one person, the amount of $50,000 for bodily injury to or death of all persons as a result of any one crash and the amount of $20,000 for damage to property of others as a result of any one crash. The changes to this paragraph made by this amendatory Act of the 98th General Assembly apply only to policies issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2015.

(c) Operator's Policy. --When an operator's policy is required, it shall insure the person named therein as insured against the liability imposed by law upon the insured for bodily injury to or death of any person or damage to property to the amounts and limits above set forth and growing out of the use or operation by the insured within the continental limits of the United States or the Dominion of Canada of any motor vehicle not owned by him.

(d) Required Statements in Policies. --Every motor vehicle liability policy must specify the name and address of the insured, the coverage afforded by the policy, the premium charged therefor, the policy period, and the limits of liability, and shall contain an agreement that the insurance thereunder is provided in accordance with the coverage defined in this Act, as respects bodily injury and death or property damage or both, and is subject to all the provisions of this Act.

(e) Policy Need Not Insure Workers' Compensation. --Any liability policy or policies issued hereunder need not cover any liability of the insured assumed by or imposed upon the insured under any workers' compensation law nor any liability for damage to property in charge of the insured or the insured's employees.

(f) Provisions Incorporated in Policy. --Every motor vehicle liability policy is subject to the following provisions which need not be contained therein:

1. The liability of the insurance carrier under any such policy shall become absolute whenever loss or damage covered by the policy occurs and the satisfaction by the insured of a final judgment for such loss or damage shall not be a condition precedent to the right or obligation of the carrier to make payment on account of such loss or damage.

2. No such policy may be cancelled or annulled as respects any loss or damage, by any agreement between the carrier and the insured after the insured has become responsible for such loss or damage, and any such cancellation or annulment shall be void.

3. The insurance carrier shall, however, have the right to settle any claim covered by the policy, and if such settlement is made in good faith, the amount thereof shall be deductible from the limits of liability specified in the policy.

4. The policy, the written application therefor, if any, and any rider or endorsement which shall not conflict with the provisions of this Act shall constitute the entire contract between the parties.

(g) Excess or Additional Coverage. --Any motor vehicle liability policy may, however, grant any lawful coverage in excess of or in addition to the coverage herein specified or contain any agreements, provisions, or stipulations not in conflict with the provisions of this Act and not otherwise contrary to law.

(h) Reimbursement Provision Permitted. --The policy may provide that the insured, or any other person covered by the policy shall reimburse the insurance carrier for payment made on account of any loss or damage claim or suit involving a breach of the terms, provisions or conditions of the policy; and further, if the policy shall provide for limits in excess of the limits specified in this Act, the insurance carrier may plead against any plaintiff, with respect to the amount of such excess limits of liability, any defense which it may be entitled to plead against the insured.

(i) Proration of Insurance Permitted. --The policy may provide for the pro-rating of the insurance thereunder with other applicable valid and collectible insurance.

(j) Binders. --Any binder pending the issuance of any policy, which binder contains or by reference includes the provisions hereunder shall be sufficient proof of ability to respond in damages.

(k) Copy of Policy to Be Filed with Department of Insurance--Approval. --A copy of the form of every motor vehicle liability policy which is to be used to meet the requirements of this Act must be filed, by the company offering such policy, with the Department of Insurance, which shall approve or disapprove the policy within 30 days of its filing. If the Department approves the policy in writing within such 30 day period or fails to take action for 30 days, the form of policy shall be deemed approved as filed. If within the 30 days the Department disapproves the form of policy filed upon the ground that it does not comply with the requirements of this Act, the Department shall give written notice of its decision and its reasons therefor to the carrier and the policy shall not be accepted as proof of financial responsibility under this Act.

(l) Insurance Carrier Required to File Certificate. --An insurance carrier who has issued a motor vehicle liability policy or policies or an operator's policy meeting the requirements of this Act shall, upon the request of the insured therein, deliver to the insured for filing, or at the request of the insured, shall file direct, with the Secretary of State a certificate, as required by this Act, which shows that such policy or policies have been issued. No insurance carrier may require the payment of any extra fee or surcharge, in addition to the insurance premium, for the execution, delivery or filing of such certificate.

(m) Proof When Made By Endorsement. --Any motor vehicle liability policy which by endorsement contains the provisions required hereunder shall be sufficient proof of ability to respond in damages.

(Source: P.A. 102-982, eff. 7-1-23.)

(625 ILCS 5/7-318) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 7-318)

Sec. 7-318. Notice of cancellation or termination of certified policy. When an insurance carrier has certified a motor vehicle liability policy or policies under this Act, it shall notify the Secretary of State of any cancellation by submitting an electronic notice at least 15 days prior to cancellation of such policy and the policy shall continue in full force and effect until the date of cancellation specified in such notice or until its expiration, except that such a policy subsequently procured and certified shall, on the effective date of its certification, terminate the insurance previously certified with respect to any vehicle designated in both certificates. All electronic certificates must be submitted in a manner satisfactory to the Secretary of State.

(Source: P.A. 103-179, eff. 6-30-23.)

(625 ILCS 5/7-319) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 7-319)

Sec. 7-319. This Act Not to Affect Other Policies.

Sections 7-301 through 7-329, each inclusive, of this Act shall not be held to apply to or affect bonds or policies of automobile insurance against liability which may now or hereafter be required by any other provision of this Act and such bonds or policies, if endorsed to conform to the requirements of this Act, shall be accepted as proof of financial responsibility when required under this Act. This Act shall not be held to apply to or affect policies insuring solely the insured named in the policy against liability resulting from the maintenance, operation or use by persons in the insured's employ or in his behalf of motor vehicles not owned by the insured.

(Source: P.A. 76-1586.)

(625 ILCS 5/7-320) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 7-320)

Sec. 7-320. Bond as Proof. A person required to give proof of financial responsibility may file with the Secretary of State a bond, executed by the person giving such proof and by a surety company, duly authorized to transact business within the State; or by the person, giving such proof and by 2 individual sureties, each owning real estate within this State and having an equity therein in the amount of such bond, which real estate shall be scheduled therein.

1. The Secretary of State shall not accept any such real estate bond unless it is first approved by a judge of a court.

2. The Secretary of State shall not accept any such bond unless it is conditioned for payment in amounts and under the same circumstances as would be required in a motor vehicle liability policy furnished by the person giving such proof under this Act.

3. No such bond shall be cancelled unless 10 days' prior written notice is given to the Secretary of State, but cancellation of such bond shall not prevent recovery thereon with respect to any right or cause of action arising prior to the date of cancellation.

4. The principal and sureties of every such real estate bond shall execute and deliver an original and one copy of the bond and schedule and in addition, when the real property or any part thereof, listed or described in the schedule, shall lie in more than one county, then as many extra copies as there are counties in which the real property, or any part thereof, shall lie, to the judge to whom such bond is presented for approval, who shall, if he approved the bond, endorse upon the original and each copy of the bond the date of the approval thereof; and the clerk of the court shall immediately file one of the copies with the recorder in each county in which is situated any of the non-registered real property so scheduled.

5. If any of the lands so scheduled shall have been registered under "An Act concerning land titles", approved May 1, 1897, as amended, the clerk of the court in which the bond is approved shall immediately file with the registrar of titles in and for each county in which any of the registered land so scheduled is situated, a notice stating that such land has been so scheduled, and the registrar shall thereupon enter a memorial of such fact upon the record.

6. The clerk of the court in which the bond is approved shall endorse upon the original of each such real estate bond approved the date upon which he or she filed a copy of such bond with the recorder in each county in which is situated any of the non-registered real property so scheduled or the notice with the registrar of titles in and for each county in which any of the registered land scheduled is situated and shall deliver such original bond to the principal thereon.

(Source: P.A. 83-1362.)

(625 ILCS 5/7-321) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 7-321)

Sec. 7-321. When Bond Shall Constitute a Lien. Such bond shall constitute a lien upon the unregistered real estate so scheduled of any surety from the time when a copy of such bond is filed in the office of the recorder in and for the county in which such non-registered real property so scheduled is situated, and such bond shall be a lien upon all registered real property listed or described in the accompanying schedule from the time when notice, as aforesaid, is filed in the office of the registrar of titles in and for the county in which such registered real estate so scheduled is situated. Such lien shall exist in favor of the People of the State of Illinois for the use of any holder of a final judgment against the principal on such bond upon a liability covered by the conditions of such bond.

(Source: P.A. 83-358.)

(625 ILCS 5/7-322) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 7-322)

Sec. 7-322. Action on Bond.

If a judgment is rendered against the principal of any such surety or real estate bond upon a liability covered by the conditions of such bond and such judgment is not satisfied within thirty (30) days after it becomes final, then the judgment creditor may, for his own use and benefit, and at his sole expense, bring an action or actions in the name of the State against the company or persons who executed such bond including an action or proceeding to foreclose any lien that may exist upon the real estate of a person who has executed such bond, which action shall be brought in like manner and subject to all the provisions of law applicable to an action to foreclose a mortgage upon real estate.

(Source: P.A. 76-1586.)

(625 ILCS 5/7-323) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 7-323)

Sec. 7-323. Money Or Securities As Proof.

A person may give proof of financial responsibility by delivering to the Secretary of State a receipt of the State Treasurer showing the deposit with said State Treasurer of money in amount or securities endorsed in blank by the owner thereof and approved by said State Treasurer and of a market value in a total amount as would be required for coverage in a motor vehicle liability policy furnished by the person giving such proof under this Act. Such securities shall be of the type which may legally be purchased as investments of trust funds by trustees.

(Source: P.A. 76-1586.)

(625 ILCS 5/7-324) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 7-324)

Sec. 7-324. Application of Deposit.

All money or securities so deposited shall be subject to execution to satisfy any judgment mentioned in this Act but shall not otherwise be subject to attachment or execution. The State Treasurer shall not accept any such deposit or issue a certificate therefor, and the Secretary of State shall not accept such certificate unless accompanied by evidence that there are no unsatisfied judgments against the depositor registered in the county where the depositor resides.

(Source: P.A. 76-1586.)

(625 ILCS 5/7-325) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 7-325)

Sec. 7-325. Owner may give proof for others. Whenever the Secretary of State determines that any person required to give proof under this Article by reason of a revocation is not the owner of a motor vehicle but was, at the time of such conviction a driver in the employ of an owner of a motor vehicle, or a member of the immediate family or household of the owner of a motor vehicle, the Secretary of State shall accept proof of financial responsibility given by such owner in lieu of proof given by such other person so long as such other person is operating a motor vehicle for which the owner has given proof as herein provided.

(Source: P.A. 83-831.)

(625 ILCS 5/7-326) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 7-326)

Sec. 7-326. Substitution of proof. The Secretary of State shall cancel any bond or return any certificate of insurance, or the Secretary of State shall direct and the State Treasurer shall return any money or securities to the person entitled thereto, upon the substitution and acceptance of other adequate proof of financial responsibility pursuant to this Article.

(Source: P.A. 83-831.)

(625 ILCS 5/7-327) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 7-327)

Sec. 7-327. Other proof may be required. Whenever any evidence of proof of ability to respond in damages filed under the provisions of this Article no longer fulfills the purpose for which required, the Secretary of State shall, for the purposes of this Chapter, require other evidence of ability to respond in damages as required by this Article, and the driver's license, registration certificates, license plates and registration stickers involved shall be suspended by the Secretary of State pending such proof.

(Source: P.A. 83-831.)

(625 ILCS 5/7-328) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 7-328)

Sec. 7-328. Duration of proof; when proof may be canceled or returned. The Secretary of State shall upon request cancel any bond or return any certificate of insurance, or the Secretary of State shall direct and the State Treasurer shall return to the person entitled thereto any money or securities, deposited pursuant to this Chapter as proof of financial responsibility or waive the requirements of filing proof of financial responsibility in any of the following events:

1. In the event of the death of the person on whose behalf such proof was filed, or the permanent incapacity of such person to operate a motor vehicle.

2. In the event the person who has given proof of financial responsibility surrenders such person's driver's license, registration certificates, license plates and registration stickers, but the Secretary of State shall not release such proof in the event any action for damages upon a liability referred to in this Article is then pending or any judgment upon any such liability is then outstanding and unsatisfied or in the event the Secretary of State has received notice that such person has, within the period of 3 months immediately preceding, been involved as a driver in any motor vehicle crash. An affidavit of the applicant of the nonexistence of such facts shall be sufficient evidence thereof in the absence of evidence to the contrary in the records of the Secretary of State. Any person who has not completed the required 3-year period of proof of financial responsibility pursuant to Section 7-304, and to whom proof has been surrendered as provided in this paragraph applies for a driver's license or the registration of a motor vehicle shall have the application denied unless the applicant reestablishes such proof for the remainder of such period.

3. In the event that proof of financial responsibility has been deposited voluntarily, at any time upon request of the person entitled thereto, provided that the person on whose behalf such proof was given has not, during the period between the date of the original deposit thereof and the date of such request, been convicted of any offense for which revocation is mandatory as provided in Section 6-205; provided, further, that no action for damages is pending against such person on whose behalf such proof of financial responsibility was furnished and no judgment against such person is outstanding and unsatisfied in respect to bodily injury, or in respect to damage to property resulting from the ownership, maintenance, use, or operation hereafter of a motor vehicle. An affidavit of the applicant under this Section shall be sufficient evidence of the facts in the absence of evidence to the contrary in the records of the Secretary of State.

(Source: P.A. 102-982, eff. 7-1-23; 103-154, eff. 6-30-23.)

(625 ILCS 5/7-329) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 7-329)

Sec. 7-329. Proof of financial responsibility made voluntarily.

1. Proof of financial responsibility may be made voluntarily by or on behalf of any person. The privilege of operation of any motor vehicle within this State by such person shall not be suspended or withdrawn under the provisions of this Article if such proof of financial responsibility has been voluntarily filed or deposited prior to the offense or crash out of which any conviction, judgment, or order arises and if such proof, at the date of such conviction, judgment, or order, is valid and sufficient for the requirements of this Code.

2. If the Secretary of State receives record of any conviction or judgment against such person which, in the absence of such proof of financial responsibility would have caused the suspension of the driver's license of such person, the Secretary of State shall forthwith notify the insurer or surety of such person of the conviction or judgment so reported.

(Source: P.A. 102-982, eff. 7-1-23; 103-154, eff. 6-30-23.)

(625 ILCS 5/Ch. 7 Art. IV heading) ARTICLE IV. VIOLATIONS OF PROVISIONS OF FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY ACT