Audit finds licensing irregularities while records show over $300,000 in trucking-related contributions.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias is facing intensified scrutiny following findings that his office issued commercial driver’s licenses in violation of federal standards while receiving more than $300,000 in campaign donations from individuals and entities tied to the trucking and logistics industries.
The financial contributions were detailed in a report by Just the News, which cited state campaign finance records showing donations connected to transportation companies, truck vendors and driver training schools between 2021 and 2025.
The controversy centers on a nationwide review conducted by the U.S. Transportation Department that examined how states issue “non-domiciled” commercial driver’s licenses, or CDLs. According to reporting by Just the News, federal officials found that approximately one in five CDLs issued by Giannoulias’ office did not comply with legal requirements. The audit determined that some licenses were granted without sufficient documentation of lawful presence or proof of qualifications to operate large commercial vehicles.
The Transportation Department has warned Illinois that it could lose federal highway funding if the state does not halt the issuance of non-compliant licenses, identify improperly issued credentials and conduct a comprehensive internal audit.
Giannoulias, a Democrat reportedly weighing a potential bid for Chicago mayor, has publicly opposed the federal directives. In comments shared with Just the News, he said, “A strong economy depends on strong logistics. If trucks don’t move, supply chains fail, prices rise, and families feel it in their pocketbooks. We can see the actions by the Trump administration taking their toll on our truckers and our farmers, both of whom are essential to Illinois’ economy.” His office has maintained that it followed federal guidance and suspended certain CDL issuances last fall in response to updated rules.
Federal transportation officials have linked the review to a series of high-profile truck crashes across multiple states. According to national crash data from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, there were at least 3,996 fatal crashes involving large trucks last year.
The risks associated with commercial trucking are well documented. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety notes that large trucks can weigh 20 to 30 times more than passenger vehicles and require significantly longer stopping distances, particularly when fully loaded or traveling in poor road conditions. Federal regulations allow truck drivers to operate up to 11 consecutive hours, and surveys have indicated that some drivers exceed those limits.
In Illinois, the issue drew heightened attention after an October crash involving Borko Stankovic, who was driving under a suspended Illinois CDL that had been issued to a family member. Authorities said he crossed into oncoming traffic and struck another vehicle, killing the driver. The incident occurred amid broader concerns about improper licensing practices.
Other fatal incidents have been cited in connection with the federal review. In Texas, Solomun Weldekeal Araya was charged after authorities said he caused a 17-vehicle collision on Interstate 35 in Austin in March 2025 that left five people dead. Investigators reported that Araya spoke limited English and initially failed a sobriety test, though subsequent testing found no drugs or alcohol in his system.
In Florida, federal officials said an 18-wheeler driver identified as Harjinder Singh made an illegal U-turn on the Turnpike, resulting in a crash that killed three people. The Department of Homeland Security announced that Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested the driver. According to reporting by Fox News, Singh had failed his CDL exam 10 times before eventually obtaining a license in Washington state.
The Transportation Department has conducted similar audits in other states. In California, federal officials said more than 25% of reviewed non-domiciled CDLs were improperly issued. In New York, auditors reported that over half of such licenses violated federal law. In Colorado, the department said 22% were issued in violation of standards.
In response to those findings, the department moved to restrict funding until corrective measures were implemented and recently issued a final rule requiring enhanced consular and interagency screening before foreign nationals can receive non-domiciled CDLs.
Campaign finance records also show that Giannoulias received more than $300,000 in trucking-related donations during the same period his office was issuing licenses now under federal review.
The secretary’s office did not respond to a request for comment regarding the donations cited in the report.
As the federal review continues, Illinois faces potential funding consequences while state and federal officials remain at odds over compliance standards and the future of non-domiciled CDL issuance.
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