National Mandatory Motorcycle Helmet Law

The Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) has learned that, in a hearing held this week by the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) repeatedly called for a national mandatory helmet law. The hearing, entitled “Opportunities to Improve Highway Safety,” focused on areas that need improvement when it comes to the landscape of highway injuries and fatalities.

 
In his opening statement, Lautenberg said that there should be a mandatory motorcycle helmet law for all riders in America. This is typical for the 86-year-old senator. He has routinely attempted to put a federal mandatory helmet law in place before. Lautenberg currently chairs or sits on every single senate committee that has jurisdiction over roads and road safety.   

During this hearing, Lautenberg was not alone in his quest for an all-rider federal helmet law. As expected, the spokesperson for the Advocates for Highway Safety also voiced their opinion that a national helmet law is a good idea.  

Fortunately, the hearing didn’t only focus on the helmet debate; in fact, very little of it did. There were other issues covered such as impaired driving, distracted driving, and big trucks.  

As always, the MRF will keep you informed on this and all issues affecting motorcyclists from Washington DC.

ABATE of Illinois will be in Washington D.C the week of April 26 to April 29 Please call your congressman and ask the to meet with your representative from ABATE personally
 

Bean, Melissa L., Illinois, 8th

Washington Office

432 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: 202-225-3711
Fax: 202-225-7830
Hours: 9 - 5 Central Time
Monday through Friday

Biggert, Judy, Illinois, 13th

WASHINGTON OFFICE
1034 Longworth HOB | Washington, DC 20515-1313
Phone: 202-225-3515 | Fax: 202-225-9420

Davis, Danny K., Illinois, 7th

2159 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC  20515-1307

Phone: 202/225-5006
Fax: 202/225-5641

Office Hours: 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. (EST) Monday - Friday

Gutierrez, Luis, Illinois, 4th

2266 Rayburn HOB
Washington DC 20515

 202-225-8203

Halvorson, Deborah "Debbie", Illinois, 11th

WASHINGTON D.C. OFFICE
1541 Longworth HOB
Washington, D.C. 20515
Phone: (202) 225-3635
Fax: (202) 225-3521

Jackson Jr., Jesse L., Illinois, 2nd

Washington DC Office

2419 Rayburn HOB
Washington DC 20515
Phone: (202) 225-0773
Fax: (202) 225-0899

Kirk, Mark, Illinois, 10th

1030 Longworth HOB
Washington, D.C. 20515

Phone: 202-225-4835
 Fax: 202-225-0837

Lipinski, Daniel, Illinois, 3rd

1717 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: (202) 225-5701
Fax: (202) 225-1012
Toll free from IL (866) 822-5701

 

Quigley, Mike, Illinois, 5th

1319 Longworth House Office Building

Washington, DC 20515

Phone: 202.225.4061

Fax: 202.225.5603

Rush, Bobby L., Illinois, 1st

Washington Office
2416 Rayburn HOB
Washington, DC 20515
phone: 202-225-4372
fax: 202-226-0333
Open 9:00 am – 6:00 pm

 

Schakowsky, Jan, Illinois, 9th

In Washington, D.C.
2367 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515

Washington - (202) 225-2111
Fax

Washington DC - (202) 226-6890

  

Click here to print this list


Dan Harper
Vice President
Chicago Chapter
ABATE of Illinois

Danimal1500@hotmail.com

SB-2535 - DEFEATED

Senate Bill No. 2535
 THIRD READING
Mar 18, 2010

19 YEAS    32 NAYS    6 PRESENT  2 No Vote

N Althoff P Delgado Y Hunter P Martinez N Rutherford
N Bivins N Demuzio N Hutchinson N McCarter P Sandoval
N Bomke N Dillard N Jacobs NV Meeks

Y Schoenberg
N Bond N Duffy Y Jones, E. N Millner Y Silverstein
N Brady N Forby N Jones, J. N Muņoz Y Steans
N Burzynski N Frerichs N Koehler N Murphy N Sullivan
N Clayborne Y Garrett Y Kotowski Y Noland  * N Syverson
Y Collins P Haine N Lauzen N Pankau Y Trotter
N Cronin Y Harmon  * Y Lightford Y Radogno  * P Viverito
Y Crotty Y Hendon  * NV Link Y Raoul P Wilhelmi
N Dahl N Holmes N Luechtefeld N Righter Y Mr. President
Y DeLeo  * N Hultgren Y Maloney N Risinger  

  *  Did not vote for Sen. Trotter’s full helmet bill (SB1351) last year, but voted for the under 18 bill this year

It is not surprising that a minor-based helmet bill would get more votes than a helmet bill aimed at everyone.  These changed votes do tell us, however, where we need to work harder.

 

Right now, we need to thank the senators who voted against SB2535 and others who voted “present” or not at all so they would not vote against us.  Please tell both their district office and their Springfield office “Thank you.”  They need to know we appreciate them.  If you have trouble finding your legislator and their phone # / address, please go to Elected Officials (lower on this page), but the battle is not yet over.  Senator Ira Silverstein’s bicycle helmet bill (SB2627) may be called for a vote next week.  When you call or send a note to your senator thanking them for their vote on Thursday, please ask them to vote “NO” on SB2627 if it is called. 

 

Current Issues  Voter Information  Find Your Elected Official

   

 

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These are many issues ABATE has addressed over the years. They include but are not limited to:

Seeing as the ABATE of Illinois Website stays on top of current issues, click on this link for the most up to date Bills.

Updates and Alerts

State Issues

Federal Issues

On D Go Mail List  

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ARE YOU A REGISTERED VOTER?

As a citizen it's your Right and Privilege!

As a Member of ABATE it's your duty!!!

Did you remember to register the last time you moved (most people forget)?

 

THE FOLLOWING IS FROM THE "Illinois State Board of Elections" Website.  The links below will take you to their site.

An individual may register to vote in Illinois if he/she is 18 years or older on the next election day, resides in the jurisdiction for 30 days prior to the election, and is a U.S. citizen.

Illinois' residents may register in person at the office of the election authority, at Driver's license facilitities, with deputy registrars who are appointed in each jurisdiction, or via mail registration forms available in English and Spanish.

Illinois citizens residing overseas and military personnel may register using a Federal postcard application found on the Federal Voting Assistance Program website. Other questions maybe answered using the Military and Overseas Voter Guidelines

Registration is closed during the 27 days prior to an election. Individuals who miss the deadline may register or transfer their registration at the office of the election authority under the guidelines of grace period registration. Check these election registration deadlines.

 

 

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Do you know who the elected officials are in your district?

Click on the link below and select the "By Address" tab put in your address or Zip Code and click "Search" and you will know.

District Locator

This link (Illinois State Board of Elections) is a very useful site.  Anything you want to know about the election process in Illinois is here.  As for which politicians support ABATED, come to a meeting or email us at info@chicagoabate.com and we will be happy to try and help you.

The politicians in this country, state, county and city all work for you. It is the taxes they take out of your paycheck that pay their salaries, pay their staff, and rent their offices. So don't be shy about getting in touch with them. Remember: THEY work for YOU! So click on any of these links and drop these people a line to let them know what you think. Be polite and be brief, but contact them whenever you have something on your mind.

FEDERAL

Office of U.S. Senator Dick Durbin

Contact your Illinois Congressman

STATE

Office of Governor Pat Quinn

Illinois General Assembly

Illinois State Senate

COUNTY

Cook County Board

CITY OF CHICAGO

Office of the Mayor

Chicago City Council

SB-1351 - DEFEATED

On February 10, 2009  SB-1351 was introduced by Sen. Donne E. Trotter.  Since then we have done what we do best.  We went into action letting our Senators know our position and asking that they vote NO to this bill.  Well the fruits of our labor have paid off.  For the 44th time, we have defeated an attempt to restrict our right to have a choice.  On April 1st (and no this is not a joke) SB1351 was defeated 42 to 14 with 1 present.  Way to go Brothers and sisters.  Here's how the voting went.

Senate Bill No. 1351
THIRD READING
Apr 01, 2009
14 YEAS 42 NAYS 1 PRESENT

 

Y Hunter

Y Meeks

Y Schoenberg 

Y Jones, E.

Y Steans

Y Collins

Y Trotter

Y Silverstein

Y Garrett

Y Kotowski

Y Lightford

Y Raoul

Y Maloney

Y Mr. President

 

N Althoff

N Delgado

N Martinez

N Rutherford

N Bivins

N Demuzio     

N Hutchinson

N McCarter

N Sandoval

N Bomke

N Dillard

N Jacobs

N Bond

N Duffy

N Millner 

N Brady

N Forby

N Jones, J.

N Munoz 

N Burzynski

N Frerichs

N Koehler

N Murphy

N Sullivan

N Clayborne

N Noland

N Syverson

N Haine

N Lauzen

N Pankau

N Cronin

N Radogno

N Crotty

N Link

N Wilhelmi

N Dahl

N Holmes

N Luechtefeld

N Righter

N DeLeo

N Hultgren    

N Risinger

P Viverito

NV Harmon

NV Hendon

 

Contact us:
mailto:info@chicagoabate.com
P.O. Box 41307
Chicago, IL 60641-0307