ILLINOIS - Legislative update

OFF THE WIRE

Legislative update:

ABATE supports HB 1539 HB 1539 is now heading for 3rd reading in the House as it went through the House Transportation Committee "again" then 2nd reading on the floor. It also picked up in the committee Reps Kay Hatcher, J. D'Amico, D. Smith, R. Martwick, as Co-Sponsors. If you talk with their office please "Thank Them" and the rest of you can ask your legislators to also sign on to the bill. We need everyone to call and ask their legislator to vote for passage. This bill was gutted from the "original" bill which was "motorcycle specific" and we amended the bill to included everyone in the name of "Highway Safety", that is what we are about! SCROLL DOWN to the bottom of he page for the link to the Illinois House members. Talking Points and the bill are below
"ABATE of Illinois SUPPORTS HB 1539"
The HFA-2 (House Floor Amendment-2) is now the bill. It was changed from motorcyclists specific so that all groups/organizations may be covered under the new language for helping traffic control at specific and specified events on roads under the jurisdiction of those local authorities.
This new language strengthens the current language as the law did not require that motorist obey anyone other than Police, Firemen and School Crossing Guards. Now everyone will be covered including but not limited to Boy/Girl Scouts, Church Groups, Labor Unions and anyone given the authority by the Local Governments to help with traffic control.
This would give us the possibility of helping out with our own Annual "Safety and Awareness" the first Sunday of May, May 5th this year and other events we hold/participate in. This does not mandate that the local governments have to use us or anyone but it will help the local authorities cut costs by using free labor of creditable organizations/clubs.
ILLINOIS VEHICLE CODE
(625 ILCS 5/11-203) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 11-203) Sec. 11-203. Obedience to police officers. No person shall willfully fail or refuse to comply with any lawful order or direction of any police officer, fireman, person authorized by a local authority to direct traffic, or school crossing guard invested by law with authority to direct, control, or regulate traffic. Any person convicted of violating this Section is guilty of a petty offense and shall be subject to a mandatory fine of $150.
(625 ILCS 5/11-208) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 11‑208) Sec. 11‑208. Powers of local authorities. (a) The provisions of this Code shall not be deemed to prevent local authorities with respect to streets and highways under their jurisdiction and within the reasonable exercise of the police power from:
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3. Regulating or prohibiting processions or assemblages on the highways; and certifying persons to control traffic for processions or assemblages;
The Link to the House Members - http://www.ilga.gov/house/default.asp  Click on it and call yours to vote Yea! Bob Myers State Legislative Coordinator ABATE of Illinois, Inc.