September 3, 2003

To the Honorable Members of the

Illinois House of Representatives

93^rd General Assembly

Pursuant to Article IV, Section 9(b) of the Illinois Constitution of 1970, I hereby veto and return House Bill 1186, entitled “AN ACT concerning vehicles.”  

I was presented this legislation with many reports and concerns from both sides.  This is not a commerce issue.  This is a safety issue.  In the bill review, I learned that a 10 mph increase, from 55 mph to 65 mph, increases the impact force of an average-weight large truck by nearly 40%.  To match the kinetic energy of an 80,000 truck traveling at 55 mph, a 4000-pound car would have to be traveling at 246 mph.  Therefore, for safety reasons, I hereby veto HB 1186.

Sincerely,

ROD R. BLAGOJEVICH

Governor