New laws that received the Governor’s signature during the week include legislation aimed at promoting Scott’s Law and a measure promoting hunting education and safety.
In other news, an extended disaster proclamation has been issued for the 36 most-affected counties dealing with the ongoing aftermath of severe flooding devastation. Meanwhile, the Farm Progress Show is scheduled to take place at the end of August.
Scott’s Law measure signed into law
Legislation that seeks to make Illinois’ roadways safer for emergency personnel was signed into law on July 30.
Senate Bill 2038 mandates the Secretary of State to include at least one question on the written driving test in regards to Scott’s Law, the safety standard in place requiring drivers to move over, if possible, and slow down when approaching an emergency vehicle.
The recently signed legislation also creates the Move Over Task Force to study the issue of violations of Scott’s Law with attention to the causes of the violations and ways to protect law enforcement and emergency responders.
Scott’s Law was named after Lieutenant Scott Gillen of the Chicago Fire Department, who was struck and killed by an intoxicated driver while assisting at a crash on the Dan Ryan Expressway.
Senate Bill 2038 received unanimous support when it came before the Senate in May.
Hunting educational opportunities available
Legislation aimed at promoting hunting education and safety was signed into law on July 26.
House Bill 3462 gives school districts the option to include hunting safety classes as part of their curriculum. The measure allows the Illinois State Board of Education to prepare and distribute instructional materials as guidelines for development of a unit of instruction on hunting education.
Schools will have final determination on what curriculum, if any, is taught in the classroom.
Having received the Governor’s signature, the new law takes effect immediately.
Flooding disaster proclamation issued for 36 counties
In light of recent historic flooding that has impacted river communities across the state, an extended disaster proclamation has been issued for the 36 most-affected counties.
Adams, Alexander, Brown, Bureau, Calhoun, Carroll, Cass, Fulton, Greene, Grundy, Hancock, Henderson, Henry, Jackson, Jersey, Jo Daviess, Knox, LaSalle, Madison, Marshall, Mason, Mercer, Monroe, Morgan, Peoria, Pike, Putnam, Randolph, Rock Island, Schuyler, Scott, St. Clair, Tazewell, Union, Whiteside, and Woodford Counties have all been declared state disaster areas as flooding and the aftermath of the unprecedented devastation continues to pose safety hazards to the public.
A state disaster declaration allows state agency resources to assist local governments in responding and recovering, in this case to severe and prolonged flooding devastation.
As some areas remain inaccessible and communities undergo flood fighting and dewatering activities, a request has been made that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) aid in damage assessments in 30 Illinois counties to provide a comprehensive overview of the flooding impact.
For updates on the flooding situation, visit the Ready Illinois website at https://www2.illinois.gov/ready/Pages/default.aspx.
Farm Progress Show set for August
The annual Farm Progress Show is scheduled to take place August 27-29 in Decatur.
The nation’s largest outdoor farm event will feature more than 600 exhibitors, displaying innovative farm equipment, products, services and supplies. The three-day agricultural showcase also promises field demonstrations of cattle-handling, new work techniques and equipment operations.
Show hours run from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesday/Wednesday and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Thursday. More information on the Farm Progress Show can be found at https://www.farmprogressshow.com/en/home.html.