House Bill 5029, the anti-ATV / dirt bike bill by Representative Mary Flowers (D-31^st), is scheduled for hearing before the House Elementary & Secondary Education Committee this coming Wednesday, February 24^th.  The hearing will be in Room 114 of the Capitol.  It starts at 8 A.M.  Yes, that is 8 o’clock in the morning.  This will be rough on out-of-towners to come to the hearing, but this is an important bill, and A.B.A.T.E. must weigh in heavy to defeat it.

The House Elementary & Secondary Education Committee members are:

Name                    E-mail                    Dist. Phone                    Spfld Phone

Michael Smith (D-91)(Chair)                        repmikesmith@gmail.com                        (309) 353-6276                        (217) 782-8152

Fred Crespo (D-44)(V Chair)                         fred@fredcrespo.com                        (630) 372-3340                        (217) 782-0347

Jerry L. Mitchell (R-90)                        repjmitchell@comcast.net                        (815) 625-0820                        (217) 782-0535

Suzie Bassi (R-54)                        repbassi@aol.com                        (847) 776-1880                        (217) 782-8026

John D. Cavaletto (R-107)                        john@johncavaletto.com                        (618) 548-9080                        (217) 782-0066

Marlow H. Colvin (D-33)                        repcolvin@sbcglobal.net                        (773) 783-8492                        (217) 782-8272

Monique D. Davis (D-27)                        davismd@ilga.gov                        (773) 445-9700                        (217) 782-0010

Lisa M. Dugan (D-79)                        lisadugan@ sbcglobal.net                        (815) 939-1983                        (217) 782-5981

Roger L. Eddy (R-109)                        REddyunit1@aol.com                        (618) 563-4128                        (217) 558-1040

Robert F. Flider (D-101)                        bobflider@repflider.com                        (217) 428-2708                        (217) 782-8398

Paul D. Froehlich (D-56)                        statereppaul@sbcglobal.net                        (847) 985-9210                        (217) 782-3725

Esther Golar (D-6)                        esthergolar@sbcglobal.net                        (773) 925-6580                        (217) 782-5971

David E. Miller (D-29)                        repdavidmiller@sbcglobal.net                        (708) 201-8000                        (217) 782-8087

Harry Osterman (D-14)                        hjo17@aol.com                        (773) 784-2002                        (217) 782-8088

Sandra M. Pihos (R-42)                        sandrapihos42@gmail.com                        (630) 858-8855                        (217) 782-8037

Robert W. Pritchard (R-70)                        bob@pritchardstaterep.com                        (815) 748-3494                        (217) 782-0425

David Reis (R-108)                        david@davidreis.org                        (618) 392-0108                        (217) 782-2087

Darlene J. Senger (R-96)                        sengerstaterep@gmail.com                        (630) 219-3090                        (217) 782-6507

Jim Watson (R-97)                        jimwatson@localnetco.net                        (217) 243-6221                        (217) 782-1840

Karen A. Yarbrough (D-7)                        kyarbrough@ilga.gov                        (708) 615-1747                        (217) 782-8120

Even if you cannot come to Springfield for an 8 o’clock hearing, you can call your representative on this committee.  This is something you cannot put off – we need to e-mail these people this weekend and to call them (both offices) on Monday and Tuesday.

Of course, when we communicate with elected officials, we must do so civilly.  We may want to use some of these talking points:

·        Off-road use of ATVs and dirt bikes provide a wholesome family experience.

·        Parents are responsible for protecting and instructing their children.  You do not cure bad parenting by passing a bad law.

·        Off-road training develops skills helpful for adult driving.

·        Off-road vehicles provide a means of enjoying nature by children with limited physical abilities.

·        Some areas are best reached by ATVs or dirt bikes.  HB5029 would deprive children of opportunities enjoying these areas if they were not allowed to operate or be a passenger on ATVs or dirt bikes.

·        HB5029 is to be called “Lacee’s Law.”  HB5029 would prohibit children younger than 16 from riding on an ATV or dirt bike.  When Lacee was injured in an ATV mishap, she was 17 years old.  Therefore, HB5029 would not have been protected by this legislation if it were in effect when she was injured!

·        Many businesses and private owners possess ATVs and dirt bikes that can reasonable be used only by children.  If HB5029 were made law, these vehicles and associated parts inventories would be worthless.  Courts refer to this as a “constitutional taking.”  The 5^th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution requires government to give fair compensation for property it takes.  The Illinois Constitution has a similar provision.  If HB5029 were passed, the State of Illinois would face millions of dollars in claims that it would have to pay.  The State is already in such dire financial trouble that it literally cannot afford to incur an expense such as this.

Our lobbyist, Todd, and I will be attempting to work with Rep. Flowers between now and the hearing date on Wednesday.  The more our members encourage their representatives in the General Assembly (especially those on this Committee), the better will be our chances of keeping HB5029 from passing out of Committee.  We are counting on you to help us help you.

If something happens that causes HB5029 not to be heard on Wednesday, I shall let you know immediately.  So, stay tuned to OnDGo and light up those telephone lines & send e-mails!