(625 ILCS 5/6-801) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 6-801)

Sec. 6-801. Findings, Declaration of Policy and Purpose. (a) The party jurisdictions find that:

1. In most instances, a motorist who is cited for a traffic violation in a jurisdiction other than the motorist's home jurisdiction:

(i) Must post collateral or bond to secure appearance for trial at a later date; or

(ii) If unable to post collateral or bond, is taken into custody until the collateral or bond is posted; or

(iii) Is taken directly to court for immediate disposition.

2. A motorist receiving a traffic citation in the motorist's home jurisdiction is permitted, except for certain violations, to accept the citation from the officer at the scene of the violation, voluntarily deposit a valid driver's license and immediately continue after promising or being instructed to comply with the terms of the citation.

3. The purpose of the practices described in subsections 1 and 2 of paragraph (a) is to ensure compliance with the terms of a traffic citation by the motorist who, if permitted to continue after receiving the traffic citation, could return to the motorist's home jurisdiction and disregard any duty under the terms of the traffic citation.

4. The practice described in subsection 1 of paragraph (a) causes unnecessary inconvenience and, at times, a hardship for the motorist who is unable at the time to post collateral, furnish a bond, stand trial, or pay the fine, and thus is compelled to remain in custody until some arrangement can be made.

5. The deposit of a driver's license as a bail bond, as described in subsection 2 of paragraph (a), is viewed with disfavor.

6. The practices described herein consume an undue amount of law enforcement time.

(b) It is the policy of the party jurisdictions to:

1. Seek compliance with the laws, ordinances, and administrative rules and regulations relating to the operation of motor vehicles in each of the jurisdictions.

2. Allow a motorist to accept a traffic citation for certain violations and proceed without delay whether or not the motorist is a resident of the jurisdiction in which the citation was issued.

3. Extend cooperation to its fullest extent among the jurisdictions for obtaining compliance with the terms of a traffic citation issued in one jurisdiction to a resident of another jurisdiction.

4. Maximize effective utilization of law enforcement personnel and assist court systems in the efficient disposition of traffic violations.

(c) The purpose of the Compact is to:

1. Provide a means through which the party jurisdictions may participate in a reciprocal program to effectuate the policies enumerated in paragraph (b) above in a uniform and orderly manner.

2. Provide for the fair and impartial treatment of traffic violators operating within party jurisdictions in recognition of the motorist's right of due process and the sovereign status of a party jurisdiction.

(Source: P.A. 83-385.)