Latest local news, weather and high school sports for Tri-State area

SPRINGFIELD, IL (AP) -- Illinois teenagers may have to work harder to get and keep a driver's license. Secretary of State Jesse White Wednesday announced a new safe driving for teens campaign proposal.

Traffic deaths are the No. 1 cause of death for teens around the country.

White wants to put more teeth in Illinois' Graduated Driver's License Law. If passed by the state legislature, the driver's permit phase would be extended to nine months from the current three months.

Nighttime driving restrictions would begin at 10 p.m. on weekdays and 11 p.m. on weekends. For the first 12 months on the road, a new driver would also be restricted to having only one teen passenger who's not a relative. Currently, that restriction is in place for six months.

In addition, student drivers would have to complete a minimum of at least six hours of actual driving with an instructor alongside in the vehicle.

The measure has already been introduced in the Illinois Senate.

White expects it to sail through both houses of the legislature.

(Copyright ©2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)