Leave it to Illinois...

Interesting reading for Bicyclists in Illinois. Further reasons to leave this state

Bicycle Safety Restoration Act (Boub vs Wayne Township)In 1998, the Illinois Supreme Court ruled that muncipalities could not be held liable by bicyclists for damages caused by roadway conditions, even in cases of gross negligence. Because bicyclists, the court determined, were not the intended users of roadways. Only where municipalities demonstrated intent with signage or bike facilities could they be held liable.

With this closely fought decision—three of the seven justices bitterly dissented—the court froze or turned back bicycle planning in many Illinois communities, and reduced all bicyclists on Illinois roadways to second-class citizens, denied the same standard of care municipalities grant freely to motorists.

The Chicagoland Bicylce Federation and the League of Illinois Bicyclists have been leading the fight for change in Illinois tort laws that will restore a standard of care for bicyclists on Illinois roadways and allow bike planning in our communities to move forward.

More information on this at:
http://www.biketraffic.org/content.php?id=47_0_11_0