Illinois May Ban Talking on Cell Phone While Walking Across the Street

The Chicago Tribune reports:

Time was tight, and Kelly Scheiner of Streeterville had many errands to run before her vacation to New Smyrna Beach, Fla. And so, a silver Nordstrom bag draped over her left forearm, she marched north on Michigan Avenue, crossing Illinois Street at a crisp clip, thumbs firing on her BlackBerry.

"It's multitasking," said Scheiner, 32, an executive recruiter for a private equities firm. "I have to return these things at Nordstrom, and it's a way to get more things done: checking e-mails, sending messages."

Scheiner has no idea when she became a text-walker, though she knows some state officials, including Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White, have spoken out in support of a new bill that would ban using a wireless device while crossing streets.

"I think that's probably smart," said Scheiner as she walked across to the west side of Michigan Avenue, steps from the Shops at North Bridge entrance. "If someone's [crossing the street] and not looking, it's safer for the pedestrian" to avoid texting. Still Scheiner admitted: "Of course I do it. I'm pretty careful. I try to be. But I'm sure I've hit someone or something once or twice."

The Illinois General Assembly bill, also known as HB 4520, was introduced in January by Rep. Ken Dunkin (D- Chicago), who then insisted: "This legislation is not laughable. On the surface it's like, 'Oh wow, what is this?' But it's becoming more and more of a common problem with people haplessly crossing an intersection and almost killing themselves."

Under the proposed law, Illinois residents would get slapped with a misdemeanor and a $25 fine if caught using a cell phone or other wireless device while traversing streets.

The Nanny State lives in Illinois.Rep.Ken Dunkin sees no limit on what the government can do in the name of majority rule tyranny.Ken Dunkin has the mindset of a Cook County Democratic Machine man.Never underestimate who can become an elected representative in Illinois.