The Illinois House of Representatives earlier this week passed a ley that will hold ride-sharing services accountable in the event someone is injured or assaulted during a ride.
The legislation is an amendment to the current Transportation Network Providers Act, which removes the provisions that a “transportation network” such as Uber or Lyft is not the same as a taxi association and therefore cannot be held responsible in the event of an incident.
The amendment to the bill passed the Illinois House by a vote of 73 to 36, with the measure facing some opposition from House Republicans.
According to NBC affiliate WANDa House Democrat said rideshare drivers have been fighting for this change, saying the bill establishes liability for widely used services.
“This particular bill, which I think is very important, puts a duty of care on Lyft and Uber and the big companies that are making multi-million dollars from people driving their own cars at their own expense.” said Urbana Democrat Carol Ammons.
House GOP members argued the change was unnecessary, with a Decatur Republican saying the proposal was attacking the free market, while saying he takes rideshare services often and believes drivers take proper care of drivers. passengers, according to WAND.
“If they didn’t, they wouldn’t be doing what they’re doing,” said representative Dan Caulkins. “They wouldn’t be in business very long. That driver would get bad grades and no one would say hello to them. This is another attack on the free market.”
The measure is approved the same week that the body of a 21-year-old woman who had been missing since January was recovered in Little Village. The woman, Rosa Chacón, was last seen alive when she was getting into an Uber vehicle not far from where her body was found.
The legislation now heads to the Illinois Senate for consideration. If the Senate passes the measure, the bill amendment will head to Governor Pritzker’s desk for his signature into law.
