Bill Cracking Down on Distracted Drivers Passes Illinois House

Legislation that takes additional steps to prohibit drivers from driving while holding an electronic communication device recently passed the Illinois House, reported. The bill, sponsored by state Rep. John D’Amico (D-Chicago), is aimed at protecting Illinois motorists and keeping roads safe.

Under legislation previously sponsored by D’Amico and is now law, Illinois residents are barred from operating a motor vehicle while using an electronic communication device to compose, send or read an electronic message. The law includes exceptions for hands-free or voice-operated modes for phones as well as a schedule of fines for first, second, third and fourth time violators.

“We took great steps toward protecting motorists by banning texting while driving, and this [the new bill] goes one important step further to reduce distracted driving,” D’Amico said. “By prohibiting any use of an electronic communication devices while operating a motor vehicle we can protect our roads and keep residents safe.”

House Bill 3972 prohibits a person from operating a motor vehicle on a roadway while using an electronic communication device. This measure will not prohibit the use of global positioning systems (GPS), navigation systems or devices that are physically integrated into the motor vehicle.

“This new legislation sends a clear message that drivers must concentrate on the roads, not their phones,” D’Amico said.

Quinn: No Taxpayer Help for Wrigley Field

Governor Pat Quinn said he is against the use of taxpayer money to help renovate Wrigley Field, in remarks he made during in a recent interview on WLS 890AM.

Quinn told “The Don and Roma Show” on WLS that Illinois cannot afford to help the Cubs, "Well, I'm not excited about that at all. Our state has severe fiscal challenges so the very idea of the State of Illinois spending millions and millions of dollars on Wrigley Field, I don't think that's in the cards at all. They bought the team and they should make the lion's share of the investment to fix up the park."

Mayor Rahm Emanuel is reportedly in the final stages of talks to use city amusement tax revenue to help the Cubs renovate what is the second oldest ballpark in Major League Baseball. State approval would be needed to issue millions of dollars in bonds. The Ricketts family, Quinn said, "bought the team, and they should make the lion's share of the investment to fix up the park."

Info about the State's Financial Health Posted Online

Capitol Fax reported that Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka’s office unveiled a new website to make information about the state’s financial health more accessible to concerned residents. The website — called “The Ledger” — includes up-to-date information on state employee salaries, daily general funds balances, state bond ratings, all state financial results. Further, the site prominently displays — in its upper-right corner — the state’s unpaid bill backlog.

As of April 10, that figure stood just short of $6 billion, at roughly $5.97 billion, an amount that excludes Medicaid bills and some other expenses. While this data has been available online, it has never before been available in one place.

The site also allows users to compare what individuals hold state contracts versus who has contributed to influential politicians, the Daily Herald noted.

New Gaming Bill To Be Introduced in Springfield

Supporters of expanding gambling in Illinois plan to push a revamped gaming bill when lawmakers return to session later this month, according to Illinois Issues.

A gaming bill passed both chambers last year, but Gov. Pat Quinn said he would not sign it as is, so lawmakers held it from ever going to his desk. The measure would have allowed for five new casinos, including one owned by the city of Chicago, and slot machines at horse racing tracks. Sen. Terry Link, a Waukegan Democrat, said at the time that the changes Quinn wanted, which included taking out the slots at horse racing tracks, would never gain the support needed to pass. Quinn was, however, a vocal supporter of a Chicago casino.

Link told Illinois Issues that a new gaming bill would be introduced when lawmakers return to Springfield after a two-week break. “We will be presenting a bill that we hope will be a bill that can pass the Senate, the House and have the governor’s signature on it.”