Springfield, Illinois – English language proficiency violations among commercial drivers in Illinois have surged this year, nearly matching last year’s totals with more than a month remaining, according to new data from Illinois State Police (ISP). Since the North American Standard Out-of-Service criteria was updated in June to include English Language Proficiency (ELP) assessments, ISP has issued 221 citations under the new guidance. Across 2025, about 550 drivers have been cited for not understanding English — nearly surpassing the 2024 count and far exceeding the 385 violations recorded in 2023.
ISP officials said every commercial vehicle inspection begins in English, and if officers believe the driver cannot understand instructions, they conduct an ELP assessment. While the majority of citations go to out-of-state commercial license holders, 18 percent have been issued to Illinois CDL holders.
State Rep. Adam Niemerg expressed alarm that nearly one in five violations involved in-state drivers. He criticized both state and federal authorities and questioned why ISP would provide data but decline a journalist ride-along request. ISP said it could not accommodate such an arrangement.
Niemerg has introduced legislation requiring English proficiency and U.S. citizenship to obtain a standard Illinois driver’s license, following a fatal crash involving a non-citizen driver last month. Illinois currently allows non-citizens to obtain standard licenses, which are not federally recognized as REAL IDs. Niemerg rejected accusations that the proposal is discriminatory, insisting drivers must be able to understand road signs to ensure public safety.
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