New DUI law in effect

Illinois' policy on drunken driving now ranks among the toughest in the nation after a new DUI law took effect Thursday. The law is aimed at first-time offenders. It doubles the driver's license suspension period and requires those who petition the court to drive during that time to install an ignition interlock device in their car, said Al Williams, Lee County assistant state's attorney. Ignition interlock devices read drivers' blood-alcohol content. The car won't start if the driver's breath sample registers a BAC of .025 or more, a much lower level than the legal limit for drunken driving, which is .08. In addition to a start-up blow, the devices also require drivers to breathe into them at random intervals while the vehicle is running,