Illinois Governor has Ham Radio Antenna bill on his desk

[W9FBM]

Gov. Quinn has HB1390 on his desk awaiting his signature. Apparently, there are municipal officials who are objecting to this bill being signed because they would have to accomodate ham radio operators who wish to put up antennas/towers.

To voice your support, call 1-217-782-0244 (Gov. Office) Tell whoever answers that you wish to register your support for HB1390 and to put a tick in favor of the Governor signing the bill.

Spread the word, Illinois hams!

[K8WHB]

Having once lived in Illinois I'm not the least bit surprised some of the Mayors would bitch about this bill (and I'll bet if I named the 5 off the top of my head I'm thinking about I'd bet they are in the group of objecters). They seem to think that their towns are their personal kingdom and they should rule it as THEY see fit.

Thankfully I now live in Ohio and Governor Kasich signed the OH version of PRB-1 as soon as it reached his desk (of course it helps that 2 of his senior staff members are hams). Hope Gov. Quinn tells the Mayors where to go and signs HB1390.

73,
Bill Bowen
K8WHB

[N0SAP]

Well here's your time to respond in getting this bill signed. If you live in IL you can't say your voice did not count so get with it and make the call.

[KK4AMP]

Well here's your time to respond in getting this bill signed. If you live in IL you can't say your voice did not count so get with it and make the call.

Good luck Illinois. The rest of us are watching and hoping.

[KB2KAB]

This is the opportunity for all who reside in OHIO, to stand up and send your letters & phone calls to theGovernor's office. Let them know, that when a disaster strikes, AMATEUR RADIO is there. when their system is down. Everyone in OHIO should bring the point that even that the hobby is called Amateur Radio, that we have the skills and know how the be PROFESSIONALS! I hope the governor does the right thing, and approve this bill.

[W9GB]

Letter from Illinois Municipal League (IML) to Illinois Governor
http://legislative.iml.org/file.cfm?key=6649.
==

June 20, 2012

The Honorable Pat Quinn
Governor of Illinois
Room 207 Statehouse
Springfield, IL 62706

RE: Request for VETO of HB 1390
Preemption of Local Ordinances for Amateur Radio

Dear Governor Quinn:

The Illinois Municipal League respectfully requests that you veto HB 1390.

HB 1390 places restrictions on how municipalities regulate ham radio antennas.
The bill requires that local ordinances regulating the placement of ham radios include language that has a reasonable and clearly defined aesthetic,
public health or safety objective and represents the minimum practical regulation necessary to accommodate ham radio operators.
These restrictions are similar to current restrictions found in Federal Communications Commission (FCC) rules.
The IML believes the legislation to be unnecessary because the FCC rules already establish how a municipality may regulate ham radio antennas.

Once again, the Illinois Municipal League respectfully requests that you veto HB 1390.
Please contact our office at (217) 525-1220 if we can be of any further assistance.
Thank you for your consideration in this matter.

Respectfully,

Larry Frang
Executive Director

[K8WHB]

What the Municipal League fails to mention is that PRB-1 does NOT have the force of law with states or their subdivisions - that is why a number of states (such as Ohio & California) have codified the provisions of PRB-1 into their state statutes. In this matter municipalities are required to comply.

David, the Ohio version of PRB-1 WAS signed into law by Governor Kasich in May, 2012 - the state in question now is Illinois, and some of the Mayors & the Municipal League are trying to create a smokescreen. Hams in Illinois need to contact Governor Quinn, dispel that smokescreen & request that he sign the Illinois bill.

73,
Bill Bowen K8WHB

[WN9VMR]

I just called Gov Quinn's office in support of this Bill, i have a friend in Bloomingdale,Illinois who is jumping through hoops in that village to put a tower up.Maximum height there is 15ft, doesnt even allow a hustler vertical to go up ground mounted at that height,......They will need us someday and if we arent there they will wonder why....

De WN9VMR

[AK0AK]

Best thing Illinois can do is get rid of Chicago.....let them govern themselves and leave the rest of the state to itself. Let them be like DC. All the restrictions come out of Chicago and all the states money goes into Chicago. You flat landers better get on the horn and quick...a veto is the easy way out for the Governor and only a pen stroke away!!!!

[N9SOR]

How quickly the state goverments, citys,towns forgets about us. I retired from AT&T after 38 years. The Hinsdale telephone switching center was my area. When the office burned and knock out all communication to its service area, radar for our two airports, all atm machines, all long distance in and out of Chicago. Us amateurs set up communication for the hospital, all fire and police for the cities that went through Hinsdale. How soon they forget.
I remember when Plainfield was hit with the F5 tornado. I drove our Ameritch emergency cellular communications vehicle to the area. I seen that the amateur radio people where already out there doing their service.
The following comment is just my own opinion. If the bill doesn't pass and next time there is a state emergency and none of us shows up. They wouldn't have a clue why we didn't.