State lawmakers debated a bill Thursday that would outlaw kill switches in vehicles in Illinois

Another attempt to outlaw vehicle kill switches in Illinois failed to get enough support.

Many subprime auto lenders are using the devices in case a person misses a payment. The lender is able to disable a vehicle remotely until the car payment is made.

House Bill 1527 would do away with the devices. The bill’s sponsor, state Rep. Theresa Mah, D-Chicago, said the switches are an invasion of privacy.

“It’s a humiliating and terrifying experience in a lot of cases,” said Mah. “You lose control of what you’re able to do.”

But state Rep. CD Davidsmeyer, R-Jacksonville, said poor Illinoisans are the ones who will suffer if the bill becomes law.

“If we get rid of this as an option, the only other option is a repossession of a vehicle, which will be on this individual’s credit for years and years,” said Davidsmeyer.

State Rep. Tom Weber, R-Lake Villa, said the legislation will actually hurt the people that it was designed to help.

“This program with the kill switches allows for people that normally wouldn’t get a car loan to be able to get a car loan because the lender can shut the vehicle off until they make payment without having to go and repossess the vehicle,” said Weber.

After Republicans called for a verification vote ensuring lawmakers were in their seats for the vote, the measure failed by a 51 to 49 vote and was pulled from consideration.