SPRINGFIELD - Illinois motorists who don't insure their cars could find themselves without wheels under one of a handful of new state laws going into effect today.

The measure, which would require motorists convicted of driving without insurance to lose their licenses for three months, is aimed at cutting down on the number of people who wreck their cars but are unable to cover damages they cause to other individuals.

Other new laws target school dropouts, tattoo parlors and people seeking state jobs.

State Rep. Chapin Rose, R-Mahomet, co-sponsored the insurance legislation. He is a former prosecutor who handled traffic cases.

"It's a real sinking feeling to get hit by someone who is not carrying insurance," Rose said. "You could end up bankrupting someone."

The law, approved by lawmakers last year, would crack down even further if someone is caught driving without insurance while their license is suspended. It would result in their license being revoked for another six months.

Current law does not require a suspension for driving without insurance, but it does impose a fine of up to $1,000 for the first offense.

Rose said a separate legislative initiative moving through the General Assembly could ease the new restrictions for first-time offenders.

Driving penalties for truancy

In a similar new law that takes effect today, the state now will be required to cancel the driver's licenses or permits of minors classified by local school districts as dropouts or chronic truants.

State Rep. Bob Flider, D-Mount Zion, said he pushed for the legislation on behalf of a task force that is working in Decatur to cut down on the number of minors who quit school.

Flider said he hopes it will result in more teens deciding to stay in class.

"Anything that helps keep kids in school, I think is going to be good for our children and good for our state. I hope it will at least keep kids on the right track," Flider said.

Dropouts or chronic truants are identified as students who are absent at least 10 percent of the previous semester.

The state doesn't have a tally on how many students might be affected by the proposal. But, in the 2005-06 school year, there were more than 46,000 students classified as truants. Some of those, however, are under the age of 15.

More, safer blood donation?

One other new law will require the Illinois Department of Public Health to regulate tattoo parlors and body piercing businesses.

The facilities will be required to renew their certification every year. Supporters of the law, approved by lawmakers last year, say the licensing program is designed to increase the number of potential blood donors by allowing people to donate blood within a year of getting tattoos or piercings.

Now, blood banks may turn away prospective donors with tattoos or piercings from unregulated facilities.

The law is slow in getting off the ground. Although there are likely thousands of businesses that would qualify, the state has identified only about 300 to begin registering them.

Some owners say they haven't heard anything from the state.

"I've not received any information yet," said Alysha Gallop, co-owner of Graphic Flesh, a tattoo parlor at 604 Dale St., Normal.

Tattoo artists like Gallop say the law is well-intentioned, but it will do little to target problems with unregulated artists who operate out of homes.

"Overall, it's a good thing," Gallop said. "We are very, very safe and sterile. But this is regulating people who already care about safety."

Illinois Department of Public Health spokeswoman Melaney Arnold said the state will rely on local public health officials to scout out others who haven't registered.

It is unclear how many body artists would be covered by the new law.

"I don't think we've come up with a number yet," Arnold said.

Lawmakers also approved a new law that requires the Illinois Department of Employment Security to maintain a Web site that allows job seekers to search online for government job opportunities.

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On the books

New state laws go into effect today.

Uninsured motorists

New law requires motorists convicted of driving without insurance to lose their licenses for three months. Driving without insurance on suspended license may cost license for six months.

School dropouts, truancy

Minors classified by their school districts as dropouts or chronic truants will driver's licenses or permits canceled by the state.

Tattoo parlors - and blood

The Illinois Department of Public Health will regulate tattoo parlors and body-piercing businesses. New regulation is designed to allow more people to safely donate blood.