11/6/03-The House failed to muster enough votes to override the governor’s veto of a bill that would have eliminated split speeds.
The vote was 69 to override, 39 supporting the veto and 6 abstaining or not voting. The bill needed 71 votes for a successful override.
HB1186 would have cut provisions in Illinois law that set up a slower speed for vehicles with a gross weight of more than 8,000 pounds traveling on rural interstates. The limits now on those highways are 65 mph for cars and 55 mph for trucks. The bill passed both houses of the state’s General Assembly by wide margins earlier in the year. However, Gov. Rod Blagojevich – citing “serious safety concerns,” a spokeswoman said – vetoed the bill July 28.
The long-expected battle for the override started when Rep. Dan Reitz, D-Sparta, the primary sponsor of the bill, filed a motion Nov. 4 to overturn the governor’s veto.
HB1186 received 89 yes votes when it passed the House, 18 more than needed to override, and 20 more than it received when the override failed. In the Senate, it received 45 votes when it passed, nine more than were needed to reverse the governor’s action.
In the Nov. 6 vote, 18 House members switched from voting yes on the bill to no, and seven other legislators who had previously voted yes did not vote on the override attempt. A far smaller number of legislators changed from voting no the first time to yes on the override attempt.
Reitz said the bill’s supporters had the 71 votes necessary for an override lined up. However, during a procedural maneuver in which the votes were verified, two of the legislators voting yes were not on the floor of the House, leaving the count at 69 – two short of what was needed.
Reitz said he planned to introduce the bill again next year.

11/5/03-Rep. Dan Reitz, D-Sparta, has filed a motion to overturn the governor’s veto of a bill that would have ended the split speed limit in the state.
The motion was filed Nov. 4, and listed by the General Assembly on Nov. 5.
HB1186 would cut provisions in Illinois law that set up a slower speed for vehicles with a gross weight of more than 8,000 pounds. It passed both houses of the state’s General Assembly by wide margins.
The General Assembly meets twice this month to consider vetoed bills and whether to pursue an override. The first meeting, scheduled for Nov. 4, 5 and 6 is now under way; the second is scheduled for Nov. 18, 19 and 20. HB1186 is on the agenda to be discussed.
Since Reitz filed the motion for override, the bill has already picked up a co-sponsor, Rep. John Bradley, D-Marion. Bradley was among 13 co-sponsors when the bill went through the General Assembly the first time.
For bill status, call (217) 782-3944.

11/4/03-The General Assembly will soon decide whether to override Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s veto of HB1186, which would have eliminated the split speed limit in the state.
HB1186, which would have cut provisions in Illinois law that set up a slower speed for vehicles with a gross weight of more than 8,000 pounds, passed both houses of the state’s General Assembly by wide margins. A spokeswoman said Blagojevich cited “serious safety concerns” in vetoing the bill July 28.
The General Assembly meets twice this month to consider vetoed bills and whether to pursue an override. The first meeting, scheduled for Nov. 4, 5 and 6 is now under way; the second is scheduled for Nov. 18, 19 and 20. HB1186 is on the agenda to be discussed.
After the initial reaction to the governor’s veto, supporters of the measure said they would attempt an override.
To override the veto, 71 votes are needed in the House, 36 in the Senate. HB1186 received 89 yes votes when it passed the House, 18 more than needed to override. In the Senate, it received 45, nine more than are needed to reverse the governor’s action.

9/16/03-Lawmakers will return to the state Capitol Nov. 4 and will likely attempt to override the governor’s veto of a bill that would cut provisions in Illinois law that set up a slower speed for vehicles with a gross weight of more than 8,000 pounds on rural highways.
Currently, those vehicles are required to travel 10 mph below the 65 mph limit for other vehicles. Under HB1186, all vehicles would have a 65 mph speed limit.
To override the veto, 71 votes are needed in the House, 36 in the Senate. The bill received 89 yes votes when it passed the House, 18 more than needed to override. In the Senate, it received 45, nine more than are needed to reverse the governor ’s action.

7/29/03-Gov. Rod Blagojevich has vetoed an attempt to end the state's split speed limit.
HB1186, which would have cut provisions in Illinois law that set up a slower speed for vehicles with a gross weight of more than 8,000 pounds, passed both houses of the General Assembly by wide margins.
Supporters of the bill will likely attempt to override the veto when lawmakers return to the state Capitol in November. To override the veto, 71 votes are needed in the House, 36 in the Senate. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Dan Reitz, D-Sparta, received 89 yes votes when it passed the House, 18 more than needed to override. In the Senate, it received 45, nine more than are needed to reverse the governor's action.
" We'll take a look at the veto message and talk with the other sponsors," Reitz said. "I would anticipate that we will try to override this." The effort should succeed, he said, "Unless anyone had a change of heart. "

5/7/03-The era of the split speed limit may soon end in Illinois.
HB1186, a bill to eliminate the state’s split speed limit, has passed both houses of the General Assembly. The measure is headed to the governor’s desk and may soon become law.
HB1186 would cut provisions in Illinois law that set up a slower speed for vehicles with a gross weight of more than 8,000 pounds.
Currently, those vehicles are required to travel 10 mph below the 65 mph limit for other vehicles. Under the new bill, all vehicles would have a 65 mph speed limit.
The measure is primarily of interest to rural parts of the state. Highways in the city of Chicago and its suburbs are likely to remain at 55 mph for all vehicles, as they are now.
The bill, introduced by Rep. Dan Reitz, D-Sparta, passed the Senate 45-9 on May 7 and was approved in the House 86-18 in March.
If the bill becomes law, it would become effective Jan. 1, 2004. For bill status, call (217) 782-3944.

4/30/03-Legislation to eliminate the state’s split speed limit is nearing passage to become law.
HB1186 would cut provisions in Illinois law that set up a slower speed for vehicles with a gross weight of more than 8,000 pounds.
Currently, those vehicles are required to travel 10 mph below the 65 mph limit for other vehicles. Under the new bill, all vehicles would have a 65 mph speed limit.
The measure was approved in the House last month and is expected to pass the full Senate in early May. It will then head to Gov. Rod Blagojevich.
It would not hurt to contact the governor and let him know the importance of uniform speeds to road safety.
Send correspondence for Gov. Blagojevich to governor@state.il.us or to the Office of the Governor, 207 State House, Springfield, IL, 62706; (217) 782-0244 or 1-888-261-3336.

4/23/03-A bill to eliminate the state’s split speed limit is scheduled for discussion at a Senate Transportation Committee hearing April 29; if the committee votes to approve the bill, it will then go before the full Senate.
HB1186 would cut provisions in Illinois law that set up a slower speed for vehicles with a gross weight of more than 8,000 pounds.
Currently, those vehicles are required to travel 10 mph below the 65 mph limit for other vehicles. Under the new bill, all vehicles would have a 65 mph speed limit.
Last year, a similar bill appeared to have support from legislators until the Illinois State Police stepped in and convinced lawmakers to derail the issue.
We cannot allow that to happen again.
It is vital you contact Senate Transportation Committee members, full Senate members and the governor’s office and let them know the importance of uniform speeds to road safety.
For committee members’ contact information, visit www.legis.state.il.us/senate/committees/members.asp?CommitteeID=77. For a full list of senators, visit www.legis.state.il.us/senate/default.asp. Send correspondence for Gov. Rod Blagojevich to governor@state.il.us or to the Office of the Governor, 207 State House, Springfield, IL, 62706; (217) 782-0244 or 1-888-261-3336. You can also call OOIDA’s membership department at 1-800-444-5791 and they’ll look up all contact information.

4/17/03-The Senate Transportation Committee is reviewing a bill to eliminate the state’s split speed limit.
HB1186 would cut provisions in Illinois law that set up a slower speed for vehicles with a gross weight of more than 8,000 pounds.
Currently, those vehicles are required to travel 10 mph below the 65 mph limit for other vehicles. Under the new bill, all vehicles would face a 65 mph speed limit.
For bill status, call (217) 782-3944.

3/24/03-A bill to eliminate the state's split speed limit passed the House March 19 and is now before the Senate Rules Committee.
HB1186 would cut provisions in Illinois law that set up a slower speed for vehicles with a gross weight of more than 8,000 pounds.
Currently, those vehicles are required to travel 10 mph below the 65 mph limit for other vehicles. Under the new bill, all vehicles would face a 65 mph speed limit.
Last year, a similar bill appeared to have support from legislators until the Illinois State Police stepped in and convinced lawmakers to derail the issue.
We cannot allow that to happen again.
It is vital you contact Senate Rules Committee members and let them know the importance of uniform speeds to road safety.
For contact information, visit www.legis.state.il.us/senate/committees/members.asp?CommitteeID=74, or call OOIDA's membership department at 1-800-444-5791 and they'll look it up.

3/13/03-A bill in the Illinois General Assembly to eliminate the state's split speed limit is likely to come up for a final vote in the House of Representatives in the next week or two.
HB1186 would cut provisions in Illinois law that set up a slower speed for vehicles with a gross weight of more than 8,000 pounds. Currently, those vehicles are required to travel 10 mph below the 65 mph limit for other vehicles. Under the new bill, all vehicles would face a 65 mph speed limit.
The bill is primarily of interest to rural parts of the state, the bill's sponsor, Rep. Dan Reitz, D-Sparta, said. Highways in the city of Chicago and its suburbs are likely to remain at 55 mph for all vehicles, as they are now.
A previous attempt to eliminate the split was killed after the Illinois State Police sent a letter to legislators just before the final vote opposing the bill.
If the bill passes, it would become effective Jan. 1, 2004. For bill status, call (217) 782-3944.

3/4/3-A bill in the General Assembly to eliminate the state's split speed limit was scheduled for a final vote in the House of Representatives March 4.
HB1186 would cut provisions in Illinois law that set up a slower speed for vehicles with a gross weight of more than 8,000 pounds.
Currently, those vehicles are required to travel 10 mph below the 65 mph limit for other vehicles. Under the new bill, all vehicles would face a 65 mph speed limit.
If the bill passes, it would become effective Jan. 1, 2004.
For bill status, call (217) 782-3944.

2/27/03-A bill in the General Assembly to eliminate the state's split speed limit will be put to a tentative vote today.
HB1186 would cut provisions in Illinois law that set up a slower speed for vehicles with a gross weight of more than 8,000 pounds.
Currently, those vehicles are required to travel 10 mph below the 65 mph limit for other vehicles. Under the new bill, all vehicles would face a 65 mph speed limit.
The measure passed the House Transportation and Motor Vehicles Committee by a vote of 18-2 Feb. 26.
It is scheduled for a "second reading" in the full House today. In the second reading, House members can add amendments on the House floor. In addition, a preliminary vote is taken on the bill. The third reading is the final vote on the bill; it may come up as early as next week.
It is vital you contact your elected House official and let them know the importance of uniform speeds to road safety.
For contact information, visit www.legis.state.il.us/house/default.asp?sortby=DistrictNumber, or call OOIDA's membership department at 1-800-444-5791 and they'll look it up. For bill status, call (217) 782-3944.

2/20/03-Rep. Dan Reitz, D-Sparta, has introduced a bill to eliminate split speeds.
HB1186 would cut provisions in state law that set up a slower speed for vehicles with a gross weight of more than 8,000 pounds.
Currently, those vehicles are required to travel 10 mph below the 65 mph limit for other vehicles. Under the new bill, all vehicles would face a 65 mph speed limit.
The bill is in the House Transportation and Motor Vehicles Committee. It is vital you contact your state lawmakers and let them know the importance of uniform speeds to road safety.
For contact information, visit www.legis.state.il.us/house/committees/members.asp?CommitteeID=48, or call OOIDA's membership department at 1-800-444-5791 and they'll look it up.