On Tuesday, Sept. 26, Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner, State Representative Avery Bourne (R) and Senator Andy Manar (D) were all on campus for the official signing of Conor’s Law. This new law requires police to hold any underage DUI suspects until the individual is sober or until an adult (over 21) can pick them up. This policy will also require the Illinois Law Enforcement Training Standards Board to make new policies for police officers regarding people charged with a DUI and their eventual release from custody.
Conor’s law is named after Conor Vesper, a former Blackburn biology major who died tragically in May 2015. That month Vesper was arrested for driving under the influence. He was held briefly before posting bond, and was released while still intoxicated. He then led police on a high-speed chase and later died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
In his somber speech at the event on Tuesday Rauner said, “No one should ever lose a child, and we owe it to ourselves to try and prevent this loss.” He added, “This law will help keep our young people safer by helping our local law enforcement develop the proper procedures and best practices to deal with intoxicated minors … No parent should have to bury their own child. We are in public service and we should come together and do all we can to help our young people. I want to thank Conor’s parents for their strength … This is important to me as a parent and all of us as a community.”
Since his death, Conor’s parents, Jack and Alice Vesper, have worked with Illinois politicians, both Democrats and Republicans, to make sure other parents would never have to endure the tragedy that they did. The bill was introduced to the Illinois Senate and House by Manar and Bourne. The bill had bipartisan support and passed with unanimity in both the Illinois House of Representatives and Illinois Senate. Manar and Bourne commented on the rarity of a bipartisan bill like this one. “There was a good 10 months of work prior to the senate taking a vote. You don’t typically see that in terms of the process, but that’s what we referenced. The Vespers were in Springfield countless times, and that work really paved the way for a bipartisan vote,” said Manar. “This law had an amazing story. I hope the family realizes that Conor’s legacy will live on, and it really shows what we can do when we work together,” said Bourne.
Vesper was well-liked, by both Blackburn faculty and students. Last year the Blackburn faculty and board of trustees approved granting an honorary bachelor’s degree to Vesper. See “Honorary Degree for Conor Vesper” on The ‘Burnian website.
