HR0174 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0174 LRB099 06787 MST 26861 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, On December 23, 2000, Lt. Scott Gillen of the Chicago Fire Department was struck and killed on the Dan Ryan Expressway when a motorist recklessly drove through an accident scene in which Lt. Gillen was assisting; and

WHEREAS, In 2002, the State of Illinois enacted Scott's Law in honor of Lt. Gillen, which mandates that upon approaching a stationary authorized emergency vehicle displaying warning lights, the approaching vehicle shall reduce the speed of the vehicle, yield the right-of-way by changing lanes away from the authorized emergency vehicle, and proceed with due regard to safety and traffic conditions; and

WHEREAS, When motorists respect Scott's Law and move over, it helps ensure the safety of those men and women who respond to the scene; and

WHEREAS, In recent years, the Illinois State Police have lost Troopers Kyle Deatherage and James Sauter in the line of duty and Troopers Doug Balder, Michael Cokins, and Starlena Wilson have been seriously injured in accidents; and

WHEREAS, The Pontiac Police Department lost Officer Casey J. Kohlmeier and his K-9 partner, Draco, in the line of duty; and

WHEREAS, The Bloomington and Hudson Fire Departments lost Firefighter Christopher Brown in the line of duty; and

WHEREAS, The Illinois Tollway lost Vincent Petrella in the line of duty; and

WHEREAS, These individuals represent only some of the first responders that continue to lose their lives while assisting others along Illinois roadways; and

WHEREAS, Through continued public education about the risks involved for public safety personnel on Illinois roadways, these accidents can be reduced, saving the lives of those who assist others; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we encourage motorists who see flashing emergency vehicle lights to remember Scott's Law and to move their vehicles over to give those first responders an adequate area in which to do their jobs; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we designate December 23, 2015 and December 23, 2016 as "Scott's Law Day" in the State of Illinois.