Our past legislative successes:
2007:
Complete Streets
(Public Act 095-0665)
Senate Bill 314 was passed by both houses and sent to the governor. On Aug. 30, Gov. Blagojevich effectively vetoed the legislation by adding language that gutted the bill's intent. During this month’s veto session, the Senate voted to override the veto Oct. 3 and the House did the same Oct. 9. SB314 directs the state to establish pedestrian and bike ways in the planning and construction of state road projects.
Bicycle Safety Amendments to the Vehicle Code
(Public Act 095-0231)
Senate Bill 80 was signed by the governor on Aug. 16 and takes effect Jan. 1. SB 80 codifies the three-foot passing distance required of vehicles overtaking bicycles.
Bicycles as Emergency Vehicles
(Public Act 95-0028)
Senate Bill 639 was signed by the governor on Aug. 7 and took effect immediately.
SB639 would give police and fire department bicycles emergency vehicle status, which allows officers to lawfully disregard traffic signals and directions in emergencies.
Reckless Driving in Crosswalks
(Public Act 095-0467)
House Bill 508 was approved by the governor on Aug. 27 and takes effect June 1. HB508 sets higher penalties for violations in crosswalks.
View our 2007 legislative agenda site
The Chicagoland Bicycle Federation advocates for legislation that improves bicycling, walking and transit opportunities. We push to make it safer in your community to choose active transportation.
Want to get involved? Sign-up for our legislative action alerts or contact Sherry Daun to volunteer in your community.
The Chicagoland Bicycle Federation is working in partnership with the League of Illinois Bicyclists to gather support for the following pieces of legislation.
Don’t know your legislator? Find out here and be ready to ask for their support.
Illinois
Illinois House Deadline extended to: May 23, 2008
Hazardous Busing Bill Stalled
Senate Passes Vulnerable Users Bill: 54-0
H.B. 4861 — Vulnerable Users Bill
The Vulnerable Users Bill proposes that a driver who kills a vulnerable road user would receive increased penalties. Vulnerable Users includes bicyclists, pedestrians and any other users of the roadway who are bereft of the protection of a steel cage, seatbelts and airbags. The Chicagoland Bicycle Federation is working closely with Rep. Arroyo (3rd Dist) on the Vulnerable Users Bill.
Next Steps: The House still needs to vote on HB4861 before May 23, 2008.What you can do:
Call or e-mail your Illinois representative to ask him or her to support H.B. 4861 Vulnerable Users Bill during the upcoming floor vote.
See the full text of H.B 4861 here.
H.B. 4757 and S.B. 2311 -- Transportation Enhancement and Safe Routes to School Transparency Act
PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
SENATE: 56-0
HOUSE: 109-0
The Transportation Enhancement and Safe Routes to School Transparency Act would address secretive and unpredictable funding processes by guaranteeing fairness and transparency in funding projects. With its passage, the State will be under proper scrutiny to use these federal dollars more effectively.
Next Steps: The bills that passed were not identical, so they will start the process again and be heard in the second house as we try to reconcile the difference.
What you can do: Please call or email your Illinois Senator and Representative to thank them for passing this bill and encourage them to vote again for the bill in the second house.
See the full text of H.B. 4757 here and S.B. 2311 here.
H.B. 5519 – Restore Liability Protection for Outdoor Recreation
This bill provides legal protections to landowners who open their property to the public for outdoor recreational and conservation activities. With this law in place, property owners will be more willing to allow use of their outdoor areas by hikers, nature enthusiasts, and bicyclists. Landowners will also be more open to having bicycle trails run through their private property. Our friends at Openlands are promoting this bill and Rep. John Fritchey (11th Dist.) is the sponsor.
Next Steps: The House still needs to vote on HB5519 before May 9, 2008.
What you can do: Call or email your Illinois Representative to ask for support of H.B. 5519 during a floor vote this week.
See the full text of H.B. 5519 here.
H.B. 3203 – Hazardous Busing Mitigation Act: STALLED
This bill was a last-minute effort and we ran out of time to work out language that is agreeable to the Illinois State Board of Education. We thank Rep. Patricia Bellok (47th Dist.) for sponsoring the bill and we hope to work with her in the future. Lt. Gov. Quinn’s office – especially Dan Persky – lead the way on this bill and we will continue to work with them to pass this bill in the future.
The Hazardous Busing Mitigation Act attempted to address the situation whereby schools receive additional busing funds to transport students who live near their school but dangerous traffic conditions exist between the school and their homes. Our bill would have encouraged School Boards to transfer hazardous busing funds to Safe Routes to Schools programs to actually eliminate the traffic danger by fixing the problem: for example, installing sidewalks, stop signs, traffic lights or other improvements that will make the streets safer for the students and the community.
Next Steps: We will work with our allies to gather more support for this bill, and try again in upcoming sessions. We will keep you posted.
Federal
S. 2686, H.R. 5951 - Complete Streets Act of 2008
The federal Complete Streets Act of 2008 will require that all projects using federal transportation dollars consider the needs of everyone using the road: children are able to safely walk to school, pedestrians and bicyclists have convenient routes to their destinations and public transit is accessible to all users.
What you can do:
Call or email Sen. Obama and urge him to support S. 2686 or contact Sen. Durbin to thank him for his support of S. 2686.
Also, call your Congressmen and ask for their support or urge them to consider becoming a co-sponsor of H.R. 5951.
H.CON.Res. 305 – Bicycling Resolution
In anticipation of next year’s transportation funding bill, Reps. Blumenauer and Oberstar submitted a resolution for Congress to recognize the importance of bicycling in transportation and recreation. Passage of this resolution will encourage Congress to include bicycling in the nation’s comprehensive transportation policy.
Illinois is leading the way on this bill – three Illinois Congressmen have already signed on as co-sponsors:
Rep. Jesse Jackson, Jr. (2nd District)
Rep. Ray LaHood (18th District)
Rep. Peter Roskam (6th District)
Rep. Dan Lipinski (3rd District)
What you can do:
If your Congressman isn’t listed above, please call or email their office to urge them to become co-sponsors of this bill.
See the full text here.
Chicago
2008 Chicago Bicycle Safety Ordinance
PASSED 3/12/2008
The 2008 Bicycle Safety Ordinance prohibits opening a door into moving traffic; sets a three-foot minimum passing distance; increases fines for parking in a bike lane or marked shared lane; and prohibits motorists from turning right in front of a bicyclist. The ordinance sets a minimum fine of $500 when these actions lead to a bicycle crash.
Why is this ordinance important?
See the full text here
