Illinois Motorcyclist's Rights Association, Inc.

GOVERNOR SIGNS HB-123 INTO LAW

Governor Signs Motorcycle-Friendly Legislation

The Illinois Motorcyclist's Rights Association, Inc. (IMRA) is pleased to announce Governor Rod Blagojevich(D) signed Public Act 093-0080 (HB- 0123) into law on July 2, 2003. The act makes it a violation to use or sell traffic signal preemption devices except by emergency vehicles. IMRA introduced an amendment which "does not prohibit use by motorcycles of electronic or magnetic safety devices designed to allow traffic control signal systems to recognize or detect motorcycles." The Act is effective immediately.

The amendment was created to protect use by motorcyclists of devices such as the "Green Light Trigger ä" These devices allow the magnetic loops used by traffic signals to recognize the presence of motorcycles. This has been an ongoing problem for many years and IMRA believes it is important to protect the use of these devices for the safety of motorcyclists. The bill as originally drafted made no distinction between these and other devices manufactured with the intent of changing the actual pattern of the signal. It would have assessed heavy penalties to both the consumer and seller of such devices.

The bill was introduced by Representative Don Moffitt(R-74) and Chief Co-Sponsored by Rep. Moffitt, Tom Holbrook(D-113), Mike Smith(D-91), Jay Hoffman(D-112) and Carole Pankau(R-45). Senators George Shadid(D-46) and Kirk Dillard(R-24) sponsored the bill in the Senate. IMRA wishes to thank them and the 17 other Representatives who co-sponsored the bill along with all the Representatives and Senators whom unanimously passed this bill through the legislative process. IMRA also thanks Governor Blagojevich for his prompt action on this bill.

IMRA would also like to recognize lobbyist Margaret Vaughn for her invaluable assistance and cooperation on this legislation.

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