OOIDA Call to Action - Illinois Members
October 2, 2007

Dear Illinois member,

It is that time of year again when the goblins, ghosts and monsters rear their ugly heads to scare the hell out of Illinois citizens.

No, I’m not talking about Halloween. I’m talking about the annual veto session in the state Legislature where your lawmakers get together to decide which of the bills vetoed by Gov. Rod Blagojevich should be reversed.

In 2003 and 2004 state lawmakers voted overwhelmingly in favor of having uniform 65 mph speed limits on those rural stretches of interstate highway that are the safest roads in the state, only to have the governor veto the bills. In the past, the Legislature has fallen short in reaching the two-thirds majority needed to override the veto because of Gov. Blagojevich’s scare tactics.

Opponents of higher speed limits, including Gov. Blagojevich, ghoulishly predict higher limits will increase fatalities. Gov. Blagojevich has found lawmakers in and around Chicago especially receptive to this scare tactic (and you really do have to believe in haints and ghosts to buy into it). None of the three bills passed by the state Legislature during the past few years would change speed limits in or around Chicago. None of them – and this one (SB540) doesn’t either.

In fact, actual highway safety data shows increased speeds DO NOT lead to increased fatalities. When states increased their speed limits in 1987 and in 1995, traffic fatalities went down. Part of the reason for this is absolute proof that fatal crashes will not go up in Illinois.

When speed limits are increased by states, including Illinois, they are increased on the safest roads in the state – rural stretches of interstate highway just like what is being considered in Illinois. This draws traffic off far less safe two-lane routes where accidents are at least six times more likely to occur.

While the governor may never know just how dead wrong his views on speed limits for trucks are, your lawmaker needs to hear the facts from you. SB540 passed overwhelmingly by the Legislature and will make Illinois highways safer. Don’t let the governor’s misguided efforts become another nightmare for motorists. Encourage a vote to override Gov. Blagojevich’s veto of SB540.

It’s important to make those calls to your lawmakers as soon as possible. The veto session ends October 12!

To find your state representative’s contact information, click here. To find your state senator’s contact information, click here.