SPRINGFIELD, Ill., Feb. 20 (UPI) -- Illinois lawmakers are considering taking away the driver's licenses of parents caught buying alcohol for their children.
Adults who give alcohol to minors would lose their licenses for at least a year, while driving privileges for underage drinkers would be revoked, the Chicago Sun-Times reported.
The bill was partly inspired by a 2003 party that turned into a violent hazing of a Glenbrook North High School student, the newspaper said. One parent found guilty of allowing some teenagers to drink in her home before the party was sentenced to court supervision and community service. A parent who pleaded guilty to providing beer to the teenagers received probation and community service.
"This (legislation) will help the parents give their minor children a reason why they won't let them have a few beers with their buddies," state Sen. Kirk Dillard, the bill's sponsor, told the Sun-Times.
A study by the Century Council, a non-profit educational group, says nearly two out of three underage drinkers get their alcohol from family and friends, the newspaper said.
