Using This Guide

This voter’s guide was designed to give motorcyclist an understanding of where candidates for U.S. Senate, Congress, State Senator and State Representative stand on the issues that are important to the motorcycling community.

ABATE of Illinois and its State & Federal PAC’s have graded each of these candidates according to a submitted survey, their history and their voting recording in regard to motorcycle rights and freedoms. Candidates were asked questions in regard to helmet laws, discrimination, off-road motorcycling, motorcycle bans and the Cycle Rider Training Program.

Endorsed candidates appear in ITALICIZED print and grades were given like a report card with A+ being the highest and F- being the lowest. A rating of NR indicates that No Response from the candidate was received.

The portion of this voters guide that names candidates for the United States Congress is paid for by ABATE of Illinois FEDPAC, with voluntary contributions from ABATE of Illinois members and their families. It is not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. Our statement of organization is on file with the Federal Election Commission, Washington DC, and is available for viewing.

All endorsements for State and local offices are made by ABATE PAC and a copy of our report filed with the State Board of Elections is (or will be) available for purchase from the State Board of Elections, in Springfield, IL.

These guides may be taken into the polls with you. Remember to voted November 2nd with you right to ride in mind.

About this election

Along with voting for President & Vice President, Illinois citizens will be asked to vote for 1of the 2 US Senators from Illinois, and all of the 19 members of the Illinois delegation to the U.S. House of Representatives (or Congressmen), who are up for re-election every two years. The Illinois’ 59 State Senate seats run on a rotation schedule of 2 & 4 year terms and 23 seats are scheduled for re-elected this November. Every two years, all 118 members of the Illinois House of Representatives are up for re-election. With this many races taking place around the state, Illinois motorcyclists have 161 opportunities to ensure their motorcycle freedom!

While this guide will help you to determine how your candidate rates on motorcycle issues, ABATE of Illinois and its State & Federal PAC’s have also identified a list of 12 General Assembly Races, 1 Congressional Race and 2 Judgeships that we encourage motorcyclists to volunteer their time to.

In the Illinois General Assembly, we encourage your support and efforts for the following races: Illinois Senate District #47 in support of John Sullivan and #59 in support of Gary Forby. In support of the Illinois House races: District #17 Michele Bromberg; #20 Michael McAuliffe; #57 Steven Szayevicz; #59 Paul Tully; #70 Bob Pritchard; #75 Careen Gordon; #79 Lisa Dugan; #92 Aaron Schock; #103 Deborah Frank Feinen; and #108 Bill Grunloh.

While many of these candidates have been there for motorcyclists when we needed them, some of them are new to the political arena and are running against those who would take your freedom away – now is the time to make a difference and elect those who will protect your right to ride!

Federally, we are looking to help long time friend of motorcyclists, Congressman Phil Crane. His campaign office is located at 220 S. Main Street, Wauconda, Illinois 60084 and you may call Denis O’Sullivan at 847-991-7445 for more information on how to help. Re-electing Phil Crane is one sure way to send your motorcycling voice to Washington!

Part of motorcyclist’s success in Illinois has been a 1969 Illinois Supreme Court Ruling that found that helmet laws were unconstitutional and the choice of wearing a helmet or not belongs to the individual. This year, motorcyclists have an opportunity to elect Judge Lloyd A. Karmeirer for Supreme Court Justice. Judge Karmeirer believes “a judge should not attempt to make the law or change the law” and he understands that as a Supreme Court Justice, he has a responsibility to determine the constitutionality of laws passed by the Illinois General Assembly.

Judge Karmeier’s Supreme Court Seat is elected from the following counties: Alexander, Bond, Christian, Clay, Clinton, Crawford, Edwards, Effingham, Fayette, Franklin, Gallatin, Hamilton, Hardin, Jackson, Jasper, Jefferson, Johnson, Lawrence, Madison, Marion, Massac, Monroe, Montgomery, Perry, Pope, Pulaski, Randolph, Richland, Saline, Shelby, St. Clair, Union, Wabash, Washington, Wayne, White, and Williamson. ABATE PAC endorses Judge Lloyd A. Karmeier for Supreme Court Justice, if you live in one of these counties, please contact your County Republican Office and see how you can help.

Absent in this years 75th House District is long time friend and winner of the coveted Representative of the Year vest award, Mary K. O’Brien. Mary K. was appointed to fill out the remainder of a vacant term in the 3rd Judicial Appellate District last fall and is running for judicial re-election this year. This large district encompasses the following 20 counties: Iroquois, Kankakee, Will, Grundy, LaSalle, Putnam, Marshall, Bureau, Whiteside, Henry, Stark, Peoria, Fulton, Knox, Rock Island, Mercer, Warren, Henderson, McDonough, and Hancock. ABATE PAC endorses Mary K. O’Brien for this position and asks motorcyclists from these counties to contact your County Democratic Office to help her bid for re-election.

Both on road and off road riders from Chicago to the Shawnee share the responsibility and privilege of a safe and unrestricted motorcycling atmosphere. ABATE of Illinois asks that you don’t forget one of the most important parts of freedom & any election – voting!

If you are not a registered voter, you may do so by contacting your local County Clerks Office, Municipal Clerks Office or your local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). You may register to vote in the Illinois General Election up until the 27-day period just prior to an election. For more information on registering to vote, visit the Illinois State Board of Election Web sight at: www.elections.state.il.us

Feel free to share this information with all those who enjoy the freedoms that Illinois provides to its motorcyclists. More information on protecting your freedom by joining ABATE of Illinois and receiving more of these Voter’s Guides can be obtained by contacting us at 1-800-87-ABATE or by visiting www.abate.il.org