Springfield, IL – Governor Pat Quinn has signed two bills into law that the Horsemen's Council of Illinois (HCI) has been instrumental in working to pass and that are important to the equine community in Illinois, according to Frank Bowman, HCI president. Both new laws take effect January 1, 2011. 

SB 2632 Public Land - Saddle/Pack Animal Act is now Public Act 96-0985. This bill recognizes horses as users of public lands and their access to state lands and trail systems where currently permitted. The new law requires a posting at the trail head when trails are closed for significant public safety concerns or required maintenance. This bill was sponsored by Senator Gary Forby (D – Benton) and championed in the House by Rep. Brandon Phelps (D – Harrisburg). 

SB 2951 Vehicle Code - Bicyclist Safety Act is now Public Act 96-1007. This bill creates protections for bicyclists (and horses as other users of the public right-of-way) from reckless actions by drivers of vehicles on roadways and the throwing of "missiles" from the vehicles. The needed inclusions for the protection of pedestrians, horseback riders and animal drawn vehicles were made at the request of HCI. 

“Specific language of the law,” Bowman said, includes “A person driving a motor vehicle shall not, in any reckless manner, drive the motor vehicle unnecessarily close to, toward, or near a bicyclist, pedestrian, or a person riding a horse or driving an animal-drawn vehicle.” 

“If a violation results in great bodily harm or permanent disability or disfigurement to another, the person shall be guilty of a Class 3 felony,” Bowman said, quoting the new law. 

Additional information on both of these new laws is available from the HCI administration office at 217-585-1600, via email at hci@horsemenscouncil.org or on the HCI website at www.horsemenscouncil.org.

Bowman encourages all horsemen to visit with their state and federal legislators as they make their way through their community this summer, making sure to let them know how important their equestrian lifestyle is to them. 

To further the equestrian cause, HCI will be at Conservation World during the Illinois State Fair in August. “We are please to be taking part in a new ‘Share the Trails’ exhibit area and taking the opportunity to allow folks to get up close and personal with a real live horse,” Bowman said. Bob Wagner from Back Country Horsemen will be providing horse packing demos daily at Conservation World.

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