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Illinois

An Illinois lawmaker wants motorcycle safety to be a formal part of driver’s education courses.

The proposal by Republican Rep. Tom Bennett of Gibson City would amend the driver’s education act in the Illinois School Code to require that all behind the wheel instruction include lessons on motorcycle safety and awareness “to ensure students understand their surroundings when operating a motor vehicle.”

* Another bill…

A bill filed in the Illinois House would form a new task force to address thefts of recyclable metals, including copper.

The Belleville News-Democrat reports the panel would review efforts to combat theft and come up with new ideas. Findings would be reported to the governor annually.

Members of the task force would include state legislators, local police chiefs and industry representatives, among others.

* Another…

Smokers who favor electronic cigarettes could be pushed outside under an Illinois lawmaker’s proposal.

State Rep. Kathleen Willis wants the use of e-cigarettes, called vaping, to be subject to the same laws that prevent indoor smoking in public places

* The Question: What bill(s) would you like to see introduced?

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Feb 17, 15 @ 2:16 pm

Comments

I’d like to see the dispicable tradition of “dibs” outlawed but nobody has the guts to sponsor the bill.

I’d also consider reviving the death penalty for drivers who don’t use turn signals.

Comment by 47th Ward Tuesday, Feb 17, 15 @ 2:21 pm
I would like to see a bill introduced that requires all motorcycle dealerships to immediately notify all area emergency rooms and or undertakers the second a motorcycle is purchased.

Comment by William j Kelly Tuesday, Feb 17, 15 @ 2:22 pm
The option to claim Lottery winnings anonymously. Jackpot winners thrust into the spotlight risk their personal safety and security as well as receive potentially significant unwanted attention. There should be a way to claim the money anonymously (opt in) while still following a legal process that will maintain the integrity of the Lottery.

Here is how Powerball’s FAQ page explains anonymity:

CAN I REMAIN ANONYMOUS WHEN I HIT THE JACKPOT?

All but five states (DE, KS, MD, ND, OH) have laws that require the lottery to release the name and city of residence to anyone who asks. Some states are considering anonymous claims. Some states are considering a one-year period of anonymity to give the winners time to get used to their new lifestyle. Other states may offer to assist you in some way, including such things as the creation of trusts. But generally, you will want to hire an attorney to review the laws in your state to see what options you might have. Photos and press conferences are up to you for most part, though some states add a requiremment for photos on their tickets. Check with your state lottery to see if photos or more are required. Most of the time, it is advisable to get it over with the press so that you don’t have one or more reporters following you around to get that “exclusive” interview. Even if the you can keep your identity secret from the press and the public, you will have to be known to the lottery - so they can confirm that you are eligible to play and win.

Comment by The Captain Tuesday, Feb 17, 15 @ 2:25 pm
Term limits

Comment by IDOT PAUL Tuesday, Feb 17, 15 @ 2:32 pm
A resolution that no non-budget-related bills reach the floor until the outline of a budget agreement is agreed upon by leadership.

Comment by walker Tuesday, Feb 17, 15 @ 2:32 pm
Eliminate townships, turn over functions to county governments. Force merger of unincorporated township areas into neighboring villages.

Comment by Precinct Captain Tuesday, Feb 17, 15 @ 2:36 pm
Rep Bennet, Illinois Sec of State Rules of the Road pg 37 to 39.

Comment by Liberty Tuesday, Feb 17, 15 @ 2:36 pm
You mean besides prohibiting public union strikes, ending prevailing wage, and enacting an “equal pay for equal work” provision for public education where teachers must paid either as “apprentices” or “journeyman” based upon course and student load they serve?

Comment by Arizona Bob Tuesday, Feb 17, 15 @ 2:43 pm
Legalize the free cultivation of marijuana, and licensed sales for a nominal fee.

Basically, treat it like beer, and tax it.

Comment by Wordslinger Tuesday, Feb 17, 15 @ 2:47 pm
A five-bill-per-session limit on sponsoring bills. Some of this stuff gets flat-out crazy.

Comment by Bill Limits Tuesday, Feb 17, 15 @ 2:55 pm
Point of clarification. I meant per legislator.

Comment by Bill Limits Tuesday, Feb 17, 15 @ 2:55 pm
Stop allowing elected officials to name public works after themselves. Instead, public works can be named after Illinoisans who lost their lives in battle, demonstrating a public respect for those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Stop immortalizing elected officials with public funds.

Comment by VanillaMan Tuesday, Feb 17, 15 @ 2:55 pm
Allowing condominium boards to discuss matters by e-mail, along with a requirement that such e-mails be made a part of the Association’s records.

Because of the Palm decision, day to day operations have made condo management far more difficult. This would go a long way towards streamlining the process.

Comment by DMLewin Tuesday, Feb 17, 15 @ 2:56 pm
The other one would be to ban speed cameras.

From my observations, it seems like the two impacts of the cameras are to generate revenue and to cause people to slam on their brakes.

There has to a better way to make up for that revenue without making streets more dangerous.

Comment by DMLewin Tuesday, Feb 17, 15 @ 2:58 pm
(1) Guaranteed paid sick and caregiver leave. Guaranteed maternity/paternity leave.

(2) Replacing “At-will employment” with a “good cause” standard for discharge from employment.

(3) “Bicyclists and pedestrians are permitted and intended users of public roads and alleyways.”

Comment by lincoln's beard Tuesday, Feb 17, 15 @ 3:06 pm
A bill requiring any legislator who knowingly (see below) introduces a bill that is subsequently found unconstitutional to have to personally (I’d allow a loan from their campaign fund to the individual) reimburse the winning party for all legal fees.

The only defense I would allow would be a researched and peer reviewed legal opinion filed at the same time as the bill was introduced. Maybe that would stop a lot of the stupid stuff that gets introduced.

Comment by RNUG Tuesday, Feb 17, 15 @ 3:06 pm
Rep. Bennett must of found a copy of the various versions of the “Viking” helmet bills that have been approved during Model Illinois Government events throughout the years.

Comment by BW Tuesday, Feb 17, 15 @ 3:06 pm
Instead of having a F.O.I.D. card, have an area on the driver’s license indicating the person can legally purchase/possess firearms and ammunition.

When you renew your driver’s license, your F.O.I.D. card is renewed.

Comment by Tsavo Tuesday, Feb 17, 15 @ 3:09 pm
A requirement that every bill containing a mandate for a non-state entity specficy the funding source for the mandate.

Comment by RNUG Tuesday, Feb 17, 15 @ 3:12 pm
Adding to 47th Ward - and giving credit for the idea to where it belongs, Mike Royko:

Those who drive into the intersection when the light changes, thereby blocking crossing traffic when the light turns green for them should be removed from their cars and hung from the nearest light pole with a sign of explanation around their necks.

Comment by dupage dan Tuesday, Feb 17, 15 @ 3:12 pm
Make “cherry picking” data to support your position a capital offense.

Comment by very old soil Tuesday, Feb 17, 15 @ 3:16 pm
Legislation to modify the Attorney General Act.
Language should be added to balance the costs of AG defending clear state wrongdoing with holding state wrongdoers accountable and protecting the state. While this balance could be somewhat difficult to achieve, if done, it could mitigate harm caused against whistleblowers, honest employees, and citizens by maleficent and negligent state officials. The AG’s policy right now is to defend wrongdoers without question at a cost of millions per year from its general law bureau. Maybe the legislation could start with some accountability by charging-back to agency budgets defense costs of Agency Directors’ illegal actions.
As it stands now, the AG deploys its resources to the wrong side of the Ethics Act in litigation. There’s got to be a better way.

Comment by Qui Tam Tuesday, Feb 17, 15 @ 3:20 pm
License Plate Scanners. A bill that would limit the time the scanned information can be held and clearly defining how it can be used. Also, such information can not be marketed/licensed/sold to private entities.

Link to story: http://www.indystar.com/story/news/2015/02/16/license-plate-readers-invade-privacy/23508307/

Another link: https://www.aclu.org/alpr

IMO, enormous invasion of privacy.

Comment by Judgment Day Tuesday, Feb 17, 15 @ 3:21 pm
A ban on all public funds, state and local, from being used for professional sports and entertainment subsidies. Sell US Cellular or finally make Reinsdorf start paying his fair share.

Free & Equal elections bill that makes ballot access the same for every person regardless of political affiliation or lack thereof. Finally comply with Article III, Section 3 of the Illinois Constitution.

Elections bill that gets rid of the full-slate requirement for “new” parties who want to run a candidate for statewide or county-wide office. Illinois is the ONLY state with this requirement and the current law is probably going to be ruled as a violation of the US Constitution soon anyway.

Get rid of petition signature requirements for candidates to gain ballot access and replace it with a filing fee system. Instead of wasting way too much time and money resources on antiquated petition challenges the election offices could be bringing in much needed revenue from candidate filings.

Get of the stupid paranoid anti-Communist loyalty oath for candidates that has already been ruled unconstitutional for decades now.

Legalize cannabis and hemp. Save $200 million per year in enforcement costs and reap $1 billion per year in new tax revenues while creating thousands of good jobs.

A cap on government employee pensions of $80,000 per year total for one person. Increase the the cap by 2% every 5 years. No more double dipping pensions to take someone past $80,000/year.

Reduce the license plate fee to $25 for two years of tags, to help poor working families afford a vehicle. Reduce the title fee to $20. Extend drivers license terms from 4 years to 5 years to help reduce needed staffing at SoS offices.

Increase the standard deduction to $15,000 to help reduce the tax burden on the working poor. Only Washington state taxes their poor people at a higher level than Illinois, and its time to give the poor of Illinois a tax break. And/or expand the Illinois EITC to include single people since the maximum federal EITC for single people is only $500 and in Illinois its a tiny fraction of that, which is hardly much help to the poor.

Give a tax credit of $3,000 for working parents with children in private schools or those who homeschool.

Off the top of my head.

Oh, and end gerrymandering of districts.

Comment by Jeff Trigg Tuesday, Feb 17, 15 @ 3:22 pm
something to make sure no more budget time Bombs ever get passed

Comment by Mason born Tuesday, Feb 17, 15 @ 3:27 pm
Legislating For Results (LFR): Lawmakers’ pay is based on the % of introduced bills that are actually passed.

Comment by thechampaignlife Tuesday, Feb 17, 15 @ 3:27 pm
RNUG I love that idea about making legislators pay for unconstitutional laws they pass. Someone should have pay for illegally keeping independent candidates off Illinois ballots for 25 years. (Lee v. Keith, 7th Circuit) Someone should also have to pay for the full-slate requirement in our election laws that is about to be ruled a violation of the US Constitution.

I’d also be for getting rid of speed cameras and red light cameras.

Comment by Jeff Trigg Tuesday, Feb 17, 15 @ 3:28 pm
“Eliminate townships, turn over functions to county governments. Force merger of unincorporated township areas into neighboring villages.”
——————

Seriously? How about adding a clause that says only for Counties with a population of 1,000,000 or more.

Also, are you talking “Township Government” and/or “Township Road Commissioners”? If you take on the Township Road Commissioners, you are into it - deep.

There’s a fair number of municipalities out there that cross township (political township, not governmental township) lines. That will create a fight to the finish.

Better think it through. Going to be a lot tougher than you think.

Comment by Judgment Day Tuesday, Feb 17, 15 @ 3:29 pm
The one that I would love to see but that has no chance is to move back municipal elections to late March (with the run-off then moved back accordingly).

It is supposed to be 20/7 on Tuesday. Those of us who are out doing what we are asked to do that day are going to be miserable.

Comment by Gooner Tuesday, Feb 17, 15 @ 3:29 pm
==driver’s education act in the Illinois School Code to require that all behind the wheel instruction include lessons on motorcycle safety and awareness “to ensure students understand their surroundings when operating a motor vehicle.” ==

We need a bill to also add awareness to automobile motorist to so that they understand their surroundings and SEE motorcyclists. Add this to driver’s ed - and put some items on it in the written license exam - and fail anyone in the driving tests who even remotely shows they don’t see a motorcyclist.

Comment by Joe M Tuesday, Feb 17, 15 @ 3:39 pm
woops I should have read the quote better. He was talking about automobile motorist, not motorcyclists understanding their surroundings.

Comment by Joe M Tuesday, Feb 17, 15 @ 3:41 pm
== Make “cherry picking” data to support your position a capital offense. ==

I’ve seen studies that show, if you do that, there won’t be enough people left to act as executioners for the guilty.

Comment by Anon. Tuesday, Feb 17, 15 @ 3:42 pm
Reform or eliminate the ILRB and IDHR investigative divisions. Both are allowed to exclude plaintiffs from investigations and collude with alleged violators. Predictably, the process and results vary widely depending on the parties involved.
Elimination of these sham functions could save nearly $3 million annually.

Comment by Qui Tam Tuesday, Feb 17, 15 @ 3:44 pm
How many people have died due to second hand vaping?

Comment by Buddy Tuesday, Feb 17, 15 @ 3:46 pm
I would like to see the Sheriff’s Work Alternative Program (SWAP) revised. Instead of just picking up road side litter, I would like to see graffiti vandals assigned to repaint about twenty-five fire plugs or park benches for each offense.

Comment by Under Further Review Tuesday, Feb 17, 15 @ 3:47 pm
“Eliminate townships, turn over functions to county governments. Force merger of unincorporated township areas into neighboring villages.”
——————

Seriously? How about adding a clause that says only for Counties with a population of 1,000,000 or more.

My variant would be to abolish all township governments in those Cook County townships that are completely coterminous with one or more municipalities.

Comment by Under Further Review Tuesday, Feb 17, 15 @ 3:49 pm
Legislators have to pay $250 for every bill introduced to help resolve the budget debt.

Comment by 1776 Tuesday, Feb 17, 15 @ 3:51 pm
I don’t think I’ve ever been anywhere indoors that allows vaping.

Legalize marijuana and tax it the way we tax cigarettes and booze.

Comment by Cheryl44 Tuesday, Feb 17, 15 @ 3:57 pm
A law that requires each law passed beyond the implementation of this law to include 2 current laws that are identified for immediate nullification. Once this law is in place (1 law passed = 2 laws revoked) it is only a matter of time before we get to a point where we deal with the truly important matters.

Comment by Just A Thought Tuesday, Feb 17, 15 @ 4:04 pm
Require all male House members to wear ties when in the House Chambers. Failure to do so would result in a fine of$25 per day of violation.

Comment by Tom Joad Tuesday, Feb 17, 15 @ 4:13 pm
A bill that would limit to nine the number of college credits a high school student can earn.

Comment by G'Kar Tuesday, Feb 17, 15 @ 4:14 pm
Mandatory selfie tax.

Comment by William j Kelly Tuesday, Feb 17, 15 @ 4:17 pm
@Lincoln’s beard3:06 =”Bicyclists and pedestrians are permitted and intended users of public roads and alleyways”.=

ONLY if you add to that;

1) All traffic laws apply including stop signs, red lights, cell phones, ban headphones and require rear view mirrors on bicycles, allow bicycles to ride opposed to traffic so they can see approaching traffic and move over out of the traffic lane.

2) All new road projects will include a shoulder so bicycles can stay out of traffic lanes that cars use. If a road has a shoulder, bicycles must use it and stay off the traffic lanes.

3)Totally ban baby trailers behind bicycles. Those are the most dangerous things I have ever seen. If they get hit by a car, the baby doesn’t stand a chance.

Comment by DuPage Tuesday, Feb 17, 15 @ 4:25 pm
===Totally ban baby trailers behind bicycles. Those are the most dangerous things I have ever seen. If they get hit by a car, the baby doesn’t stand a chance.===

So, the same won’t happen if a car slams into a baby seat?

C’mon.

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Feb 17, 15 @ 4:29 pm
How about adding some teeth to the Open Meetings Act, so that government officials who violate it face some real repercussions–jail time or fines.

Comment by Curtis E. Bear Tuesday, Feb 17, 15 @ 4:42 pm
A law requiring all doctors and hospitals to post prices detailing the cost of procedures/office visits, aspirins, etc. It’s the only business where prices aren’t posted.

Comment by Dr. X Tuesday, Feb 17, 15 @ 4:47 pm
Please abolish the office of Lieutenant Governor
and if possible remind our neighboring states
who run endless ads for Pure Michigan and Wonderful Wisconsin to offer higher education
reciprocity for in state tuition. Blacklisting
Illinois out of these networks has been a drain
on too many families of this state for too long.

Comment by Illinoisvoter Tuesday, Feb 17, 15 @ 5:07 pm
I would like to see a bill that abolishes minimum sentences for non-violent crimes.

Comment by Enviro Tuesday, Feb 17, 15 @ 5:37 pm
@Rich4:29
You are right that bike seats also would have bad outcomes if hit by a car. I am not sure what the best solution would be, but one unsafe practice should not automatically preclude a hard look at other dangerous situations.
Possibly allow them on prairie paths and bike lanes, maybe side streets with speed limits of 25 MPH or less. I saw one on a 45 MPH road and felt it was very dangerous. She appeared to be heading to a prairie path, oblivious of the potential danger.

Comment by DuPage Tuesday, Feb 17, 15 @ 5:46 pm
== All traffic laws apply … bicycles ==

Thought the first part was already law … constantly ignored, but law.

Comment by RNUG Tuesday, Feb 17, 15 @ 5:54 pm
I read this as a joke long ago but it stuck: A bill establishing stiff fees for sponsoring and co-sponsoring bills, to cut down the dross.

Comment by Toure's Latte Tuesday, Feb 17, 15 @ 6:01 pm
Require all motorcycle drivers/riders to wear helmets.

Comment by In_The_Middle Tuesday, Feb 17, 15 @ 7:27 pm
Change legislators pay to no more than the median income level of the State taxpayers.
If the median income falls, then so does their pay. This is for all elected officials pay.

Comment by FormerParatrooper Tuesday, Feb 17, 15 @ 7:37 pm
Since we can’t pass laws requiring motorcyclists to wear helmets, how about we require motorcycle owners to carry a million dollars in medical coverage for themselves and their passengers so the taxpayers won’t be stuck with the bill when we put them in nursing homes after the accident.

Comment by nothingsurprisesme Tuesday, Feb 17, 15 @ 7:44 pm
Stop requiring legally blind children to take drivers ed. If they can’t get a license why force them to take the class in order to graduate highschool?

Comment by We're Doomed Tuesday, Feb 17, 15 @ 10:48 pm