[LEARC] HB3970 & HB3972 (Distracted Driving)

[Jesse Risley]

The following message was forwarded via one of the state email reflectors for ham radio and communications related  issues.  Please take note and consider contacting our representative Norine Hammond (if you live in McDonough County - otherwise use the link below to find your representative).
http://www.elections.illinois.gov/DistrictLocator/ContactInfo.aspx?id=250

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Dear Fellow Illinois Hams,

I read all of the emails last week concerning the two bills pending in the IL General Assembly about distracted driving.  I have also heard many hams on the air saying that they "hope" that "someone" will do something so that these bills won't include Amateur Radio Operators.  I decided to look up my local state representative (Michelle Mussman), and send her an email voicing my concerns.

To my surprise, she just called me on the phone to thank me for bringing this issue to her attention!  She told me that she emailed the bill's sponsors (who she said are NOT Amateur Radio Operators), and told them of my concerns.  She also urged me to spread the word, and encourage all Illinois Amateur Radio Operators to contact their state representatives to let them know how they feel about this pending legislation.

She said that she did not realize what SKYWARN was, and respects that the Illinois Secretary of State recognizes the contribution of Amateur Radio Operators.  She also asked me if there was some type of lobbying group for Amateur Radio.  I told her about the ARRL.

So in summary . . . your future is in your hands!  Please take the time to let your voice be heard.  I can't tell you how surprised I was when Representative Mussman called me this morning to thank me.  Here is the website that I used to locate my state representative:  

http://www.elections.illinois.gov/DistrictLocator/DistrictOfficialSearchByAddress.aspx

-Don Mascarella KA9RXK - Schaumburg, IL

----- Forwarded Message -----
From: Don Mascarella <dmascarella at ymail.com>
To: staterepmussman at gmail.com 
Sent: Sunday, January 29, 2012 9:30 PM
Subject: HB3970 & HB3972 (Distracted Driving)


Dear Representative Mussman,

This is my first time ever writing to an elected official.  This email is in reference to the two bills currently being considered by the IL General Assembly:  HB3970 & HB3972.  The intent of these bills is to help eliminate distracted driving in Illinois.

I have been an FCC licensed Amateur Radio Operator for 29 years.  I have personally used my mobile Amateur Radio equipment to report many emergencies over the past 29 years (especially in the years preceding cell phones).  

I currently participate in SKYWARN which is a program that uses Amateur Radio Operators who have been trained by the National Weather Service for spotting and reporting severe weather.  Having trained weather spotters in the field is essential to the National Weather Service in order to confirm what they are seeing on their radar.  This aids them in issuing proper weather warnings to the public.

I also participate in several other public service related organizations including: Cook County Radio Amateur Emergency Services, Palatine Emergency Management Agency, and the Schaumburg Amateur Radio Club.

While I agree with the intent of these pending bills, I feel that the language is vague and would make operating Amateur Radio equipment while mobile illegal.  As stated in the Secretary of State's Amateur Radio License Plate brochure:  "Each year, amateur radio operators in Illinois offer assistance to countless victims of accidents, disasters and other mishaps by providing a vital communications link to emergency services"

I strongly urge you to work with your colleagues and add language to this pending legislation that exempts Amateur Radio Operators from these bills.  If you would like more information on Amateur Radio, I would be happy to provide it to you.

Thank you for your time and consideration.


-Don Mascarella KA9RXK - Schaumburg, IL

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]


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