Court Opinion

ID: 9862497
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-09-25 01:15:50.363827+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T11:25:40.031229
License: Public Domain

PRESIDING JUSTICE MURRAY, dissenting: I disagree with the majority’s excellent opinion on the issue of the statute’s constitutionality on a point not adequately addressed by the majority or Secretary of State. The statute only applies to private "passenger” motor vehicles leased to another in "rental agreements of 30 continuous days or less” (625 ILCS 5/6—305(d) (West 1992)). A vast number of motor vehicles are leased for less than 30 continuous days, i.e., "trucks.” Also a greater number of passenger vehicles are rented for over 30 continuous days. The above act does not apply to either of them. Article IV, section 13, of our Illinois Constitution precludes our General Assembly from passing a "special or local” law when a general law is or can be made applicable. Whether such law can be made applicable is a matter for judicial determination. This means that in a particular case it must appear that there is a classification based upon a rational difference of situation or condition. (In re Belmont Fire Protection District (1986), 111 Ill. 2d 373, 489 N.E.2d 1385.) Nothing in the record or briefs shows any reason why the same person or persons who rent a passenger car for more than 30 continuous days or a truck for less than 30 continuous days should be treated differently than the same person or persons who rent a passenger car for less than 30 continuous days or less. Until a reasonable basis is shown for such a difference in classifications, I don’t see how an appellate court can make the determination required by the constitution as to whether the law is a local one prohibited by the constitution or a constitutional one. I would remand the case to the trial court to give the parties an opportunity to show some basis or lack of basis why the same person who rents a truck, not a passenger vehicle, for less than 30 continuous days or a passenger vehicle for more than 30 continuous days is not subject to the act.