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.
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.
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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 |
Biggert, Judy, Illinois, 13th WASHINGTON OFFICE |
Davis, Danny K., Illinois, 7th 2159
Rayburn House Office Building Phone: 202/225-5006 Office Hours: 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. (EST) Monday - Friday |
|
Gutierrez, Luis, Illinois, 4th 2266 Rayburn HOBWashington DC 20515 202-225-8203 |
Halvorson, Deborah "Debbie", Illinois, 11th WASHINGTON D.C. OFFICE |
Jackson Jr., Jesse L., Illinois, 2nd Washington DC Office 2419 Rayburn HOB |
|
Kirk, Mark, Illinois, 10th 1030 Longworth HOB Phone:
202-225-4835 |
Lipinski, Daniel, Illinois, 3rd 1717
Longworth House Office Building
|
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 |
Schakowsky, Jan, Illinois, 9th In Washington, D.C. Washington -
(202) 225-2111 Washington DC - (202) 226-6890 |
Dan Harper
Vice President
Chicago Chapter
ABATE of Illinois
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SB-2535 - DEFEATED
Senate Bill No. 2535
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 |
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.
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.
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.
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
COUNTY
CITY OF CHICAGO
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