Buzzard Posted March 12, 2010 at 05:31 AM Posted March 12, 2010 at 05:31 AM As a few of you know, I also do the Springfield trip for biker's rights. So I was in Springfield again on thursday talking to Senators and Reps about biker issues and sitting in on committees. If you recall there was a thread here discussing SB2627, a bill making it mandatory for kids on bicycles to wear helmets. This bill is sitting in the Public Health committee, a ten member panel which has six Dems and four Republicans. Guess who decides which bills pass out of this committee? Now please bear with me, you're gonna love this - I promise. The Minority Spokesperson on the Public Health committee is Sen. Dave Syverson. SB2627 is being discussed and he's not mincing words that he's against passing this bill out of committee. He asks why this is a bigger community problem than say, other youth offender crimes? Why are we using limited police resources to enforce bicycle safety? And why - when IDOT statistics show pedestrians are more likely to sustain head injuries than bicyclists - aren't we considering making it mandatory to wear a helmet when walking down the street? Sen. Ira Silverstein, the bill's sponsor, is having a very tough time answering these very logical questions. He's not making a very good pitch for his bill. It doesn't matter anyway, because the Dems plan to pass it out of committee - just because they can. But he's still not making a very good argument and he has to say something to make a convincing argument - so what does Sen. Silverstein say? "Twenty one states have a mandatory bicycle helmet law. Why shouldn't Illinois?" To which Sen. Dave Syverson says, "Forty eight states have a concealed carry law. So then - why doesn't Illinois??" I was there to hear it - and it was a thing of beauty!! I gotta tell ya!!!
billzfx4 Posted March 12, 2010 at 05:45 AM Posted March 12, 2010 at 05:45 AM It's probably a good thing I wasn't there...I would of wet myself!!
burningspear Posted March 12, 2010 at 12:39 PM Posted March 12, 2010 at 12:39 PM Buzzard, Great reporting. I hope that story is related, over and over and over, during the House and Senate debates on the various carry bills. That story should be in the newspapers and on the airways.
Lou Posted March 12, 2010 at 01:10 PM Posted March 12, 2010 at 01:10 PM Thanks Buzz but logic and common sense are not something liberal legislators use.
Buzzard Posted March 12, 2010 at 02:28 PM Author Posted March 12, 2010 at 02:28 PM Thanks Buzz but logic and common sense are not something liberal legislators use. You're right, Lou. The Committee Chairperson - William Delgado - immediately spoke up saying, "May we please stick to the topic of bill we're discussing, Senator?" slamming the door on the subject. I showed my approval of Senator Syverson's comment by raising ny clenched fist in the air.
Gooch Posted March 12, 2010 at 02:47 PM Posted March 12, 2010 at 02:47 PM As a few of you know, I also do the Springfield trip for biker's rights. So I was in Springfield again on thursday talking to Senators and Reps about biker issues and sitting in on committees. If you recall there was a thread here discussing SB2627, a bill making it mandatory for kids on bicycles to wear helmets. This bill is sitting in the Public Health committee, a ten member panel which has six Dems and four Republicans. Guess who decides which bills pass out of this committee? Now please bear with me, you're gonna love this - I promise. The Minority Spokesperson on the Public Health committee is Sen. Dave Syverson. SB2627 is being discussed and he's not mincing words that he's against passing this bill out of committee. He asks why this is a bigger community problem than say, other youth offender crimes? Why are we using limited police resources to enforce bicycle safety? And why - when IDOT statistics show pedestrians are more likely to sustain head injuries than bicyclists - aren't we considering making it mandatory to wear a helmet when walking down the street? Sen. Ira Silverstein, the bill's sponsor, is having a very tough time answering these very logical questions. He's not making a very good pitch for his bill. It doesn't matter anyway, because the Dems plan to pass it out of committee - just because they can. But he's still not making a very good argument and he has to say something to make a convincing argument - so what does Sen. Silverstein say? "Twenty one states have a mandatory bicycle helmet law. Why shouldn't Illinois?" To which Sen. Dave Syverson says, "Forty eight states have a concealed carry law. So then - why doesn't Illinois??" I was there to hear it - and it was a thing of beauty!! I gotta tell ya!!! Yep......Syverson is my rep up here in Rockton and he's a keeper. Good man and tireless supporter of our cause. Gooch
papa Posted March 12, 2010 at 02:49 PM Posted March 12, 2010 at 02:49 PM Not only do they not use logic or common sense , they don't let the facts bother them either! Great report Buzzard.
TyGuy Posted March 12, 2010 at 02:53 PM Posted March 12, 2010 at 02:53 PM Thanks Buzz but logic and common sense are not something liberal legislators use. You're right, Lou. The Committee Chairperson - William Delgado - immediately spoke up saying, "May we please stick to the topic of bill we're discussing, Senator?" slamming the door on the subject. I showed my approval of Senator Syverson's comment by raising ny clenched fist in the air. Like the end of "The Breakfast Club" or like in "Red Dawn" ? I don't know if I could have contained my laughter at the part about requiring pedestrians to wear helmets while walking down the street.
SheepleNoMore Posted March 14, 2010 at 04:42 AM Posted March 14, 2010 at 04:42 AM Buzzard said I could qoute him at another forum, so here is a link to the posting Thanks Buzzard
Blaster Posted March 14, 2010 at 05:11 AM Posted March 14, 2010 at 05:11 AM If you know the bill they were discussing and date you should be able to get an audio file from the General Assembly.
Sigma Posted March 14, 2010 at 06:40 AM Posted March 14, 2010 at 06:40 AM Now thats how you shut somebody up
kurt555gs Posted March 14, 2010 at 11:38 AM Posted March 14, 2010 at 11:38 AM Interesting, mandatory helmets for pedestrians. How about 1.6 Billion in funding to line all the bike trails with Nerf Foam. Ugh.
Buzzard Posted March 14, 2010 at 03:29 PM Author Posted March 14, 2010 at 03:29 PM If you know the bill they were discussing and date you should be able to get an audio file from the General Assembly. It was the last action shown here, which I have highlighted. 3/11/2010 Senate Senate Floor Amendment No. 3 Recommend Do Adopt Public Health; 006-003-000
Blaster Posted March 14, 2010 at 03:50 PM Posted March 14, 2010 at 03:50 PM If you know the bill they were discussing and date you should be able to get an audio file from the General Assembly. It was the last action shown here, which I have highlighted. 3/11/2010 Senate Senate Floor Amendment No. 3 Recommend Do Adopt Public Health; 006-003-000 I will see if I can find it.
Tvandermyde Posted March 14, 2010 at 04:14 PM Posted March 14, 2010 at 04:14 PM the senate does not record committee hearings
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