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Two Bills Targeting Driving With Cell Phones Pass House

by on March 13, 2012 in Accident, car accident, cell phone ban, legislation

The Illinois House passed legislation last week in an effort to protect the public from distracted drivers.

On Thursday, the House passed legislation making it illegal to use a handheld cell phone while driving. Although some areas, like Chicago, already have such a ban in place, this is a first for the whole state.

Violators would be cited and fined $75 for a first offense, $100 for a second offense, $125 for a third offense and $150 for a fourth or subsequent offense.

On Friday, the House passed a law banning drivers from using cell phones while passing through emergency areas.

Violators would receive a traffic citation and a fine of up to $70. In the legislation, an emergency area is any and all areas where an emergency vehicle is parked with lights on.

Currently, it is illegal for drivers to talk on a cell phone while driving through construction areas and school zones.

Both bills are headed to the state Senate.

If you or your loved one has been seriously injured in a car accident, you may want to speak with an experienced Chicago car accident attorney today to discuss your case.

House Bill 3972

House Bill 5099

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Durbin Requests More Funding For Rail Projects

by on January 31, 2012 in legislation, transportation news

United States Senator Dick Durbin requested increased funding for rail investments under a new transportation bill Tuesday.

Durbin requested the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation increase funding for Illinois rail priorities, including multiple grant programs, in it’s bill to reauthorize the Surface Transportation Act.

Durbin outline three rail and transportation priorities: rail relocation grants, which established a grant program to help finance local rail line relocation and improvement projects; high-speed rail and intercity passenger rails, which helped jumpstart the rebuilding of the rail network; and the TIGER grant program, which allows local communities to apply directly to the Department of Transportation for funding of “nationally-significant transportation projects.”

The Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works voted unaminously to favorably report its portion of the legislation.

If you or your loved one has been injured in a serious accident, the Chicago personal injury attorneys at Dwyer & McDevitt are here for you. Call us today for a free, initial consultation.

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