Calls to Action, Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association

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Call To Action

Illinois

OOIDA Call to Action – Illinois members
April 17, 2009

Split speed limits in Illinois going, too? It’s been a long battle, but we are ALMOST there. So, grab your cell phones, Illinois truckers. It’s imperative to take time NOW to contact your state lawmakers and PUSH HOME uniform speed limits throughout the state. It’s also a good idea to make sure Gov. Pat Quinn hears you loud and clear.

Illinois lawmakers are scheduled to return to Springfield after a two-week break Tuesday, April 21. Once the lights are turned back on at the statehouse, speed limit discussion could again quickly heat up like it did right before the break.

There are two bills to keep an eye on. House and Senate lawmakers approved similar versions of the legislation to change the rule that requires large vehicles to travel 10 mph below the 65 mph speed limit for other vehicles.

The Senate-approved version, SB1467, would allow vehicles weighing more than 8,000 pounds to travel 65 mph on rural interstates. The House-approved version, HB3956, would do the same thing, but it would exempt the five Chicago “collar” counties.

Both bills have advanced to the opposite side of the statehouse for further consideration.

The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association is encouraging truckers to contact their lawmakers and Gov. Quinn to communicate the importance of eliminating speed differentials. Illinois lawmakers and the governor need not look any further than Ohio where a similar rule change has been approved and is scheduled to take effect in July.

Illinois lawmakers and Gov. Quinn need to know that by having vehicles travel at the same speed, the need for passing, lane changes, tailgating, and other maneuvers that create opportunities for drivers to make mistakes is minimized. This isn’t physics or rocket science. It’s simple common sense that highway engineers have known and followed for decades.

Contact info for House members is available here. They soon could be voting on SB1467.

Contact info for Senate members is available here. They soon could be voting on HB3956.

You are also encouraged to contact Gov. Pat Quinn and ask for his support of uniform speed limit legislation. To reach the governor’s Springfield office, dial 217-782-0244. To reach the governor’s Chicago office, dial 312-814-2121. To send e-mail, click here.