•April 11, 2018•

Coles-Moultrie County Emergency Communication Center (CECOM) assistant Director Amanda Williamson explained a new tower in Mattoon should improve communication issues with local emergency responders.

Public Health and Safety Chair Arlene Aschermann hosted a meeting earlier in the month at the county jail for Moultrie County first responders to discuss E 9-1-1 issues. Only Sullivan and Lovington attended.

Communication with central E9-1-1 central dispatch in Charleston had been affected with Williamson noting Global Tech Systems, Inc.(GTSI) of Effingham had installed a new microwave tower and repeater in Mattoon.

Gary Smith, Lovington fire chief, noted their department was receiving calls, but Bethany had been having problems communicating within their department.

Kevin McReynolds, who along with Chris Wright serves on the CECOM board, suggested each of the first responder districts be visited during a regular meeting by someone from CECOM to help determine issues and provide support.

Williamson noted that all the departments have been good about providing information through emails from their chiefs and that has been the most effective way to deal with issues so far.

By attending meetings within the individual fire districts Chairman Aschermann noted everyone would have a chance to ask questions, air issues and learn what can be done.

Williamson told members of the committee she would be willing to meet with departments, possibly adapting her half hour public education presentation for pre-schoolers for the emergency responder audience.

•April 11, 2018•

Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White commended the Illinois House Transportation: Vehicles & Safety Committee today for approving legislation initiated by his office to strengthen Illinois’ law on distracted driving. House Bill 4846 cracks down on texting while driving by classifying first-time offenses as moving violations. Under the current law, which took effect in 2014, second and subsequent texting while driving offenses are treated as moving violations, while first offenses are treated as nonmoving violations.

“With the increased use of technological devices, distracted driving has become a serious problem on the roads of our state and the nation,” said Secretary of State Jesse White. “This important legislation will make our roads safer. No driver should be texting while driving.”

The penalty for a violation of this law results in a moving violation that will be recorded to the motorist’s driving record, as well as fines and court costs which will be determined by a judge. A driver who is convicted of three moving violations in a 12-month period is subject to a driver’s license suspension.

The original law was based on recommendations made by the state’s Distracted Driving Task Force chaired by White. The task force, which was created by Joint House Resolution 22, was charged with examining ways to reduce fatalities and injuries caused by distracted driving.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), driving a vehicle while texting is six times more dangerous than driving while intoxicated. The NHTSA estimates that at least 25 percent of police-reported crashes involve some form of distracted driving. Texting while driving is considered among the most deadly forms of distracted driving.

House Bill 4846, which now advances to the full House, is being sponsored by state Rep. John D’Amico (D-Chicago).