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CHICAGO, ILL. (AP) -- Illinois has a message for distracted drivers: Pay attention.

New laws cracking down on distracted drivers go into effect Jan. 1 and state officials want to make sure motorists know about them. Starting in the new year, motorists will be banned from texting while driving.

Drivers who want to check or send messages will have to pull over to the side of the road. They can also text or e-mail if thier car is in park or neutral or if they're at a standstill in traffic, such as at a train crossing.

Another new law also will make it illegal statewide to talk on a cell phone without a handsfree device in highway construction or school zones. State officials will talk about the new laws during a Monday press conference.

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