Nearly 550 truck drivers cited in Illinois for not understanding English
The number of commercial drivers in Illinois cited for a lack of understanding English has nearly eclipsed last year’s totals, with about 1 in 5 having CDLs issued from the state of Illinois.
Year to date, about 550 truck drivers were cited for not understanding English. That’s just shy of totals for all of 2024. In 2023, there were 385. So far this year, 18% of the citations were given to in-state CDL holders.
Illinois State Police tell The Center Square that every ISP officer conducting a commercial motor vehicle inspection initiates the inspection in English. If there is an indication the driver may not understand the inspector's instructions, the inspector then conducts an English Language Proficiency assessment.
This year, state troopers have issued 221 citations for failing that assessment. The vast majority of citations are given to out-of-state CDL holders, the ISP spokesperson said.
ISP said it could not accommodate The Center Square’s request to ride along with an enforcement officer to observe the frequency of such citations.
In the wake of a fatal crash involving an illegal immigrant that killed a Coles County official and his wife last month, State Rep. Adam Niemerg has filed legislation to require those wanting an Illinois issued standard driver’s license to be a U.S. citizen. Illinois allows non-citizens to be issued a standard license.
House Bill 4184 also would require English language proficiency to get a standard driver’s license.
Illinois’ standard issue driver’s license is not federally recognized as REAL ID and cannot be used to prove citizenship, get on an airplane or enter certain federal buildings.
“So we really have a situation where when law enforcement pulls over an illegal immigrant, that illegal immigrant cannot speak English, law enforcement cannot detain that individual, law enforcement cannot ask the immigration status of that individual,” Niemerg said.
Semi trucks are parked side by side in a lot. Photo: Kelly / Pexels
