50
WASHINGTON-A bill passed by the Illinois legislature and headed to Gov. Rod Blagojevich would make it illegal for minors to operate handheld mobile phones while driving.
Beginning next month, across-the-board driver use of handheld cell phones in Chicago will be banned.
Efforts to reduce distractions to young, inexperienced drivers have prompted other states-Maryland, Colorado, Delaware and Tennessee-this year to forbid teenagers from talking on handheld phones while behind the wheel.
New York, New Jersey and the District of Columbia have enacted laws requiring drivers to use hands-free devices for cell phone calls. Connecticut Gov. M. Jodi Rell is expected shortly to sign a hands-free only bill.
