The Transportation Committee of the Chicago City Council met today to consider Alderman Burke’s proposed city wide helmet ordinance. Motorcyclists packed the committee room leaving standing room only, just to hear that even before creating the agenda, the ordinance had been pulled.

Alderman Allen, Chairmen of the committee gave no explanation as to why the ordinance was pulled, but before the committee adjourned, he did commit to informing ABATE of Illinois in advance should the proposal be placed back on the agenda at a later date.

Motorcyclists also had the opportunity to pop there heads into Alderman Burkes Finance Committee to say hello to the Alderman. However, all they received was a quick retort from Alderman Natarus. Alderman Natarus will never “like ABATE”, but he has agreed to hold an equally bad ordinance that would allow the city to confiscate motorcycles for noise violations. ABATE of Illinois Legislative Department is scheduled to meet with Alderman Natarus about this ordinance after the veto session.

Thanks go to all of those who came out to be heard and congratulations to Illinois motorcyclists who took the time to make the phone calls. We may have won round one, but this could end up a long and hard fight. Regardless of where this started and where it will end, the Chicago City Council now has no doubts that motorcyclist still believe in freedom, they recognize that it is not free, and they are not afraid to fight for it.