Tomorrow is the Illinois Primary Municipal Election (for towns that hold them) and the General Assembly is not in session. This would be a good day to catch your State Representative in his/hers district (local) office. The bills listed below were not held last week and are scheduled for votes this week. If you have the opportunity to talk to your representative, please ask them how they intent to vote and then phone or email me so that we may begin to count the votes on these bills. (Springfield phone numbers of committee members are included – district phone numbers and additional bill information may be found at: www.ilga.gov )
Keep your motors running . . .
Cheryl
HB-1148 Snowmobile Helmet Bill - OPPOSE
Passed out of Human Services Committee on a vote of 11-0-0 the bill is now on third reading on the House floor and may be called as early as Wednesday this week.
Talking Points:
- ABATE of Illinois opposes all helmet laws
- Wearing a helmet is a personal choice and individual freedom and should not be dictated by the state
- In regard to minors – it is a parents responsibility to raise their children, not the states
- - - - - - - -
HB-730 Punitive Damages -
SUPPORT
Allows motorcyclists to seek punitive damages should municipalities
issue tickets for not wearing helmets.
Hearing:
Local Government
Committee, Feb 24, 2005
2:00PM, Room C-1 Stratton Office Building, Springfield
Sponsor: Representative John Bradley
Talking
Points:
- Currently State Statute prohibits units of local government from
passing helmet laws
- This legislation only applies if Municipalities ignore
current state statute
- Municipalities that blatantly refuse to comply with
General Assembly Legislation should be held accountable
- - - - - - - -
HB-934 Vehicle Seizure -
SUPPORT
Provides that a vehicle of the first division may not be seized or
impounded solely on the basis of a muffler violation.
Hearing:
Transportation Committee
Wednesday,
Feb 23, 2005
2:00PM Room 114,
Illinois Capitol, Springfield
Sponsor: Representative Brandon
Phelps
Talking Points:
- Seizing personal property denies the owner an
opportunity to fix any equipment violations
- Seizure scams have been
known to take place in municipalities, particularly Chicago
(Where they were towing cars
and then selling them for $200)
- It is an excessive penalty for equipment
violation
--------------------------------------
Local
Government Committee:
Chairman: Harry Osterman -
773-784-2002 Chicago
Daniel Beiser
– 618-259-4934 East Alton
Robert Flider
– 217-428-2708 Decatur
Robin Kelly –
708-283-0400 Matteson
Spokesperson: Sidney Mathias – 847-222-0061
Arlington
Heights
Donald Moffit
– 309-343-8000 Galesburg
Kathleen Ryg
– 847-680-5909 Vernon Hills
Keith Sommer
– 309-263-9242 Morton
Michael Tryon
– 815-459-6453 Crystal Lake
Jim Watson –
217-243-6221 Jacksonville
Wyvetter
Younge – 618-875-1691 St. Louis
-----------------------------------
Transportation
Committee:
Chairman: Jay
Hoffman – 618-345-2176 Collinsville
Daniel Beiser –
618-259-4934 East Alton
Bill Black – 217-431-1986
Danville
Mike Bost – 618-457-5787
Carbondale
Rich Brauer –
217-782-0053 Springfield
James Brosnahan –
708-499-2810 Oak
Lawn
John D’Amico – 773-736-0218
Chicago
John Fritchey –
773-871-4000 Chicago
Paul Froehlich –
847-985-9210 Schaumburg
Deborah Graham –
708-445-9520 Oak
Park
Kevin Joyce –
708-448-3518 Worth
Joseph Lyons –
773-286-1115 Chicago
Sid Mathias –
847-222-0061 Arlington Heights
Michael McAuliffe –
773-792-0749 Chicago
Kevin McCarthy –
708-226-1999 Orland
Park
Susana Mendoza –
773-277-7711 Chicago
David Miller –
708-201-8000 Dolton
John Millner –
630-524-9250 St.
Charles
Robert Molaro –
773-838-1212 Chicago
Elaine Nekritz –
847-257-0450 Des
Plaines
Raymond Poe –
217-782-0044 Springfield
Cynthia Soto –
773-252-0402 Chicago
Ron Stephens –
618-651-0405 Highland
Art Tenhouse –
217-223-0833 Quincy
Michael Tryon –
815-459-6453 Crystal
Lake
Spokesperson: Ron Wait – 815-547-7771-
Belvidere
Eddie Washington –
847-623-0060 Waukegan