Illinois lawmakers say they’re going back to the drawing board to write a new bill to regulate rideshare companies. Lawmakers passed a bill last spring that would have required the most active rideshare drivers to be licensed and insured just like Chicago taxi drivers.
It passed by a margin well above what’s needed to override Governor Pat Quinn’s veto. Bill sponsor Michael Zalewski said he still has the votes for that.
“That being said, I’m responsible to my constituents and I’m responsible to my colleagues, and I’m responsible to others. And I felt like we should take a step back and try to take one more look.”
Zalewski says he’s reached a verbal compromise with Uber, which offers ridesharing service UberX, for a new bill to be considered in January.
The compromise drastically scales back insurance requirements- essentially to no more than what the company already claims to offer.
It also opens the door on negotiations about background checks and licensing requirements for drivers.