From the September 2007 issue of the Chicago Dispatcher
Weidersberg's Law
Law passed making assaulting a cabdriver a felony
By Jonathan Bullington
Those who assault Chicago's cabdrivers will face tougher penalties for their actions thanks to Public Act 095-0256.
Formally House Bill 4141 (and later Senate Bill 0076), this piece of legislation was first introduced in October of 2005 by State Representative Monique Davis (D-27th District). It expands the scope of aggravated battery to specifically include assaults on cabdrivers while drivers are on duty.
Currently, a passenger who commits battery against a cabdriver faces a misdemeanor charge and a possible fine if convicted. Under this new law, effective January 1, 2008, anyone who commits battery against a cabdriver while that driver is on duty faces a felony charge carrying a possible punishment of two-to-five-years in prison and/or a $25,000 fine.
“This is a group of citizens that need protection under the law,” Davis said. “It's already in the law that drivers are protected,” she added, “but it's not spelled out like we do with teachers or police.”
Davis introduced the law after Steve Weidersberg, former president of the Chicago Professional Taxi Drivers Association, approached her about writing a bill to better protect drivers from assaults.
Weidersberg said he got the idea after being the victim of an assault a couple of years ago where a passenger smacked him, damaged his cab and hurt his knee, the later requiring extensive rehab work.
“All [the passenger] got was a $500 fine and six months supervision,” Weidersberg said. “I told the state's attorney, 'I'm gonna make this a felony.' She said, 'Good luck.'”
After that incident, Weidersberg said he enlisted the assistance of a couple of attorneys in writing the bill. Then he approached Rep. Davis with his work.
“She listened and decided to help,” he said.
“Drivers are really the only group still collecting cash on a daily basis,” Davis said. “On the CTA, money is put in a machine or a box. There's no one to rob. Eventually we have to get away from cash.”
State Senators John J. Cullerton, Jacqueline Y. Collins and Kirk W. Dillard all co-sponsored this bill, as did State Representative LaShawn K. Ford.
