Illinois Passes 'DJ's Law' to Improve Teen Driver Safety

Legislation named after Whiteside County teen killed in crash aims to hold young drivers more accountable.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 1:22am

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A photorealistic painting of a lone car parked on a dimly lit suburban street, with warm sunlight casting deep shadows across the scene, creating a contemplative and melancholic mood.The somber mood of a community grappling with the tragic loss of a young life underscores the urgency behind new legislation aimed at improving teen driver safety.Tampico Today

The Illinois House of Representatives unanimously passed House Bill 4382, known as 'DJ's Law,' which will suspend the driving privileges of young drivers convicted of unrelated passenger restrictions who are involved in an accident resulting in disability or death. The bill was proposed by the family of Prophetstown High School student DJ Dorathy, who was tragically killed in a 2024 vehicle crash.

Why it matters

The new law is intended to make young drivers more aware of the serious consequences they face if they violate passenger restrictions and are involved in a deadly accident. It comes in response to the death of DJ Dorathy, a well-liked student athlete, and aims to improve safety for teen drivers across Illinois.

The details

House Bill 4382 provides for a six-month suspension of driving privileges for young drivers convicted of violating unrelated passenger restrictions who have been involved in an accident involving disability or death. The bill was proposed by the family of DJ Dorathy, a Prophetstown High School student who was killed in a 2024 vehicle crash along with two other young passengers. The surviving driver of the vehicle was found in violation of passenger restrictions on their graduated driver's license and received a two-month suspension.

  • On March 28, 2024, DJ Dorathy was tragically killed in a vehicle crash.
  • On April 15, 2026, the Illinois House of Representatives unanimously passed House Bill 4382, known as 'DJ's Law.'

The players

Rep. Ryan Spain

An Illinois state representative from the 73rd District who delivered an impassioned speech before the Illinois House of Representatives and proposed House Bill 4382, known as 'DJ's Law.'

Chasity Dorathy

The mother of DJ Dorathy, who has strived to turn her family's grief into action to improve driving safety for young people across Illinois.

DJ Dorathy

A well-liked Prophetstown High School student athlete who was tragically killed in a vehicle crash on March 28, 2024.

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What they’re saying

“We have to do everything we can to work with our young people to let them know we care about their safety and want to protect their lives.”

— Rep. Ryan Spain, Illinois State Representative

“Young drivers must recognize there are serious consequences if they are involved in an accident involving a tragedy like what happened to DJ.”

— Rep. Ryan Spain, Illinois State Representative

What’s next

House Bill 4382 will now go to the Illinois State Senate for consideration before being sent to the Governor.

The takeaway

This new law, named after the tragic loss of DJ Dorathy, aims to hold young drivers more accountable and improve safety on Illinois roads by imposing harsher penalties for those who violate passenger restrictions and are involved in deadly accidents.