Sadly, Illinois is one of only three states in the nation that does not have any kind of a motorcycle helmet law. Our state has lost $6 million in highway-construction funds this year and faces the loss of $12 million more next year unless the General Assembly passes this legislation. Miles of roads will not be resurfaced in Illinois because of our failure to have a helmet law. For personal safety and economic reasons, the time has come this spring session for the legislature to finally pass a helmet law.
Illinois had such a law from January 1968 to April 1969, and during that time, the annual number of motorcycle fatalities decreased by 28.3 percent. In 1969-70, during the first 17 months after the repeal, motorcycle fatalities increased 48.7 percent.
Besides the cost of the federal sanctions, there is another financial burden involved. Every Illinois citizen pays higher taxes and insurance payments to cover medical costs for those who suffer head injuries in motorcycle crashes. With our state Medicaid system of providing health care for the poor more than $1 billion in debt and with health insurance costs skyrocketing, it is senseless to continue to promote carnage for Illinois motorcycle riders.
The motorcyclists say, “Let those who ride decide.” We say, “Let those who pay have the say.”
