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Illinois

* Press release…

State Representative Adam Niemerg (R-Teutopolis) says two major accidents last Thursday along I-70 should serve as a wake-up call to the need for immediate action to improve safety in construction zones.

On Thursday afternoon there were two crashes. The first crash occurred near mile marker 99 on eastbound I-70 and involved two semis. The accident kept the Interstate shut down until 4:10 pm. The second crash involved four semis and occurred on westbound I-70 near mile marker 105. One person was hospitalized due to injuries in the crash. The Interstate was shut down until approximately 8:30 pm.

“Last year, I sent a letter to the Governor and the Illinois Department of Transportation to urge them to take immediate action to make these construction zones safer,” Niemerg said. “While some improvements have been made my office is still getting calls. We cannot have semi’s blocking traffic in small communities for hours on end, especially during summer when kids are on bikes and local communities have outdoor events. Interstate traffic needs to stay on the interstate.”

Niemerg said he has filed the Construction Zone Safe Detour Act (House Bill 4182) to improve safety in construction zones. The legislation would require GPS service providers to upload the detour and routing information provided by emergency services, Illinois State Police, or the Department of Transportation into its navigation system to properly route users of the GPS service provider’s systems. It also prohibits IDOT from conducting construction on a secondary route or parallel primary highway at the same time as Interstate construction, except in an emergency and it requires IDOT to reimburse local governments for damages caused to roads within the local government’s jurisdiction that arise from any detour around or near a construction zone authorized by the Department.

“The Democratic super majority found time to give themselves a pay raise, but somehow there was not enough time this session to work on improving public safety at construction zones and saving lives,” Niemerg said. “Solving problems like this is why we have a General Assembly in the first place. It is time to pass the Construction Zone Safe Detour Act.”

Rep. Niemerg filed that bill last October, 234 days ago. Niemerg has since picked up exactly zero co-sponsors. He didn’t even bother to sign up his fellow Eastern Bloc members.

If the object is to issue a press release and maybe convince your local news outlets that you’re working hard for the district and that the super-majority is just cold and callous to the people you represent, then by all means carry on.

If you want to pass a House bill to make things better for your community, however, you need 60 House votes, not 1.

And then you need 30 in the Senate.

And then a gubernatorial signature.

Success doesn’t happen by magic. Success takes work.

posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Jun 10, 24 @ 12:42 pm

Comments

“Eastern Bloc members”

The Eastern Bloc rebranded themselves as the Illinois Freedom Caucus

https://chicago.suntimes.com/columnists/2023/12/16/24003512/rep-blaine-wilhour-illinois-freedom-caucus-primary-fight-eastern-bloc-rich-miller

Comment by Donnie Elgin Monday, Jun 10, 24 @ 12:54 pm
–If the object is to issue a press release–

Yes. That is the object. The only one.

Much like filing a lawsuit to be able to get amplification on a specific message in the news cycle, and then hoping nobody notices the minutia of the courts when it inevitably gets dropped or dismissed with prejudice.

Comment by TheInvisibleMan Monday, Jun 10, 24 @ 1:01 pm
You meant to say the Gentleman from Teutopolis is simply spouting off again with little understanding of working a bill other than yelling at the sky blaming and he Dems for his own lack of ability to accomplish anything of substance? Shocking.

Comment by Give Me A Break Monday, Jun 10, 24 @ 1:02 pm
===rebranded themselves===

And I still call it Twitter.

Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Jun 10, 24 @ 1:07 pm
As a candidate Rep. Niemerg couldn’t adequately file nominating petitions. It’s not a stretch to question competency as a legislator. Equally good spirit and poor execution for this bill.

Comment by Midstate Indy Monday, Jun 10, 24 @ 1:17 pm
“You meant to say the Gentleman from Teutopolis is simply spouting off again with little understanding of working a bill other than yelling at the sky blaming and he Dems for his own lack of ability to accomplish anything of substance”

the dude has sponsored and passed bills this session

https://www.ilga.gov/house/RepBills.asp?MemberID=3189&Primary=True

Comment by Donnie Elgin Monday, Jun 10, 24 @ 1:23 pm
Heck, Rich still calls this a “fax.”

Comment by Suburban Mom Monday, Jun 10, 24 @ 1:27 pm
“Success takes work.”

Along with small government and law enforcement support, one of the many myths the GOP has been incredibly adept at pushing is that they are the party of hard work.

Comment by Flyin'Elvis'-Utah Chapter Monday, Jun 10, 24 @ 1:27 pm
===the dude has sponsored and passed bills this session ===

And your point is…?

You are the worst mansplainer on this-here website.

Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Jun 10, 24 @ 1:28 pm
State Rep. C.D. Davidsmeyer on the west side of the state got a bill passed for more education on HazMat signage on tankers in the wake of the Teutopolis crash…pretty sad that the guy that actually represents the area can’t do the same.

Comment by WLDS News Monday, Jun 10, 24 @ 1:44 pm
==the dude has sponsored and passed bills this session==

I see 2 House Bills and 1 Senate Bill the dude has passed

Comment by low level Monday, Jun 10, 24 @ 1:46 pm
Bluster is easier than effort, though.

Comment by TJ Monday, Jun 10, 24 @ 2:37 pm
Moving one’s lips to form meaningless words is not a talent…it’s a disorder.

Comment by Dotnonymous x Monday, Jun 10, 24 @ 2:45 pm
===The Eastern Bloc rebranded themselves as the Illinois Freedom Caucus===

And North Korea calls itself the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. They can put whatever they want on their press releases, but they don’t actually want freedom.

I hope you’re aware the link you posted is also by Rich Miller.

Comment by Candy Dogood Monday, Jun 10, 24 @ 2:55 pm
- The Eastern Bloc rebranded themselves as the Illinois Freedom Caucus -

On the street?…they’re known simply as, “The Magnificents”…WHEEEEE!

Comment by Dotnonymous x Monday, Jun 10, 24 @ 5:55 pm