SPRINGFIELD - Underage drinkers could lose their driver's license for three months, even if they aren't behind the wheel when caught, under legislation unanimously approved Friday by the Illinois Senate.

House Minority Leader Tom Cross, who sponsored the proposal, said he hopes it targets teens where it matters most.

"The one thing that teenagers value is their driver's license," he said. "This bill says, 'You're going to lose your license if you're under 21.' Hopefully, it's a deterrent, and kids will think twice before they start drinking."

A spokeswoman for Gov. Rod Blagojevich said the measure is "under review," but the governor is likely to sign it.

Cross said the measure is not intended to "make kids criminals," thus it will not affect an offender's permanent driving record or insurance rate.

"Once the suspension is lifted, it comes off their license," he said. "I don't want kids to not be able to get insurance or not get a job. I also know kids are kids, and they are going to goof up. But you don't want them to goof up to the point where they lose their life or somebody else's."

Since an offender's record is not permanent, Cross acknowledged it would be possible to have habitual offenders.

"There is nothing in there on multiple offenders," he said of the legislation. "They're going to have to just keep losing their license every three months, and there are probably going to be some kids like that."

Cross said the measure makes exceptions for some religious services that may include alcohol.

"But by and large, it doesn't matter where you are, you're going to pay that penalty," he said.

The legislation is House Bill 3131.

Blackwell Thomas can be reached at blackwell.thomas@lee.net or at 879-0865.