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People v. Cosenza2/11/2004
UNPUBLISHED
The petitioner, Paul A. Cosenza, petitioned to rescind the summary suspension of his driver's license after he failed to complete a breathalyzer test. The trial court denied his petition. On appeal, Cosenza argues that the trial court erred because (1) the court did not conclude the hearing on his petition within 30 days after he filed the petition, as required by statute (625 ILCS 5/2--118.1(b) (West 2002)); and (2) he was physically incapable of completing the breathalyzer test. We reverse.
Cosenza was arrested for driving under the influence on October 19, 2002. He was taken to the police station, where he attempted to take a breathalyzer test. No results registered on the test equipment because Cosenza's breath sample was insufficient. When Cosenza did not attempt to give another sample, the officer administering the test deemed that Cosenza had refused the test. The Secretary of State's office later notified Cosenza that his driver's license would be summarily suspended.
On November 14, 2002, Cosenza filed a petition to rescind his summary suspension. The trial court began a hearing on the petition on December 2, 2002, but it was not completed on that date. The hearing was continued to December 17, 2002. Neither Cosenza's attorney nor the assistant State's Attorney brought to the court's attention that December 17 was more than 30 days after Cosenza had filed his petition.
At the December 17 hearing, Cosenza moved for summary judgment. The motion was denied. At the conclusion of the December 17 hearing, Cosenza's petition was denied. Cosenza's motion to reconsider was also denied.
On appeal, Cosenza argues that the trial court erred in denying his petition to rescind his summary suspension. He argues that under section 118.1(b) of the Illinois Vehicle Code, the State had the burden to conclude the hearing on the petition within 30 days after he filed it.
Because interpretation of a statute is a question of law, our review of this issue is de novo. Swank v. Department of Revenue, 336 Ill. App. 3d 851, 785 N.E.2d 204 (2003).
Section 2--118.1(b) states that a person whose driver's license is subject to summary suspension may submit a written request to the trial court for a hearing to rescind the suspension.
"Within 30 days after receipt of the written request[,] * the hearing shall be conducted by the circuit court *. This judicial hearing * shall not stay or delay the statutory summary suspension." 625 ILCS 5/2--118.1(b) (West 2002).
In order to comply with due process, the hearing required in section 2--118.1 must be held within the 30 days unless delay is caused by the petitioner, and failure to do so will require recision of the summary suspension. People v. Schaefer, 154 Ill. 2d 250, 609 N.E.2d 329 (1993). Once the petition is properly filed and served,
" he burden to set the court hearing date would then shift to the State. The State is in the best position to know court schedules, court dates for police officers, and the other matters incident to an orderly administration of this legislation." Schaefer, 154 Ill. 2d at 261, 609 N.E.2d at 334.
The State argues that the time period for the summary suspension hearing is analogous to the time period for the speedy trial statute (725 ILCS 5/103--5 (West 2002)). It contends that a petitioner who does not object to a continuance beyond the 30-day period may be charged with the delay. See People v. Turner, 128 Ill. 2d 540, 539 N.E.2d 1196 (1989). We disagree.
The State has cited no authority for the proposition that rules in crimin
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