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The content of the call does not remove the danger. If you place a government-related call while driving, you're still dangerous.
Yes, if it's an emergency call to 911, the situation is different so let's leave that out of the equation as that exclusion applies to everyone.
For all non-911 calls, Alderman, pull over or use a hands-free device like us common folk (who elected your lordships) must do or risk a ticket.
Geesh, you think that anyone who ran for office in this City and won would see how hypocritical this exclusion for "city business" calls by city officials is. Unless it's 911, it's just routine business that needs to be conducted safely, Alderman.
It's indefensible. So move on to declare the City of Evanston a dairy-free zone (gotta be nice to cows, don't you know) or similar nonsense that we are known for.
The city must wear a "sue me I'm easy" sign on its back. We have more ridiculous suits filed against this city than I can comprehend. Looks like another clown filing a frivolous suit against the city, cost us taxpayers more money to defend. The guy was obviously a dud. You don't get dismissed from police academy after a week because you have a raspy voice. The exact reason there is a cadet process is to weed out the losers. Ridiculous, but costly.
Give it a rest, Alderman Don. Make any excuse you want, spin the truth to suit the needs of the 'Glorious Rulers' of the People's Republik.
The law STILL EXEMPTS the Ruling Class for "Work Related" calls. Who defines work related? Is calling to tell your spouse you're late for dinner because of "City Bidnezz" work related? Might be argued that it was. Chat with the kids on the way to a council meeting? Sure- that's work related too, isn't it; you were on the way to a CITY function, right?
WHO DECIDES? The same Glorious Rulers we (unfortunately) put in charge? The police who ultimately answer to those same Rulers? The city lawyers... (ditto)? Will we see these "work-related-call" tickets being contested in an already clogged and burdened court and at what cost to the city for each exemption?
Tell you what, Alderman Don- PULL THE HECK OVER TO MAKE YOUR CALL. You might think you're all that important to have to save the minute out of your day, but honestly- You (and the rest of the city officials) aren't all that important. Remember- NOT A ONE OF YOU IS IRREPLACEABLE at the next election.
Alderman Wilson,
Why should work-related government official calls be exempt? Are they somehow less dangerous, or more important than the safety of our streets? Furthermore, sounds like an easy excuse in the rare case that an alderman gets pulled over for allegedly violating this ordinance.
Based on my recent experiences at this particular gas station, I will never be going back there again FOR SURE. I was over charged for the gasoline I purchased for my car. The car wash was not functioning properly and customer service was extremely poor. The owner or one of the employees treated very rudely. I decided to purchase some coffee and donuts from the Dunkin Donuts store there, and the service was so slow, that I ended up late for work almost 20 minutes!!! Never again will I go there. I'll stick with the Marathon gas station on Howard.
If it's dangerous for me to make a work related call without a hands free device (any study I've seen says these laws don't do anything to impact safety) than it should be illegal for anyone to do the same thing. Government services that need that sort of constant communication can use many types of radio systems to do their jobs. So please, don't act like the people critical of this didn't read the ordinance, we just read between the lines to see it for what it really is, another way for Evanston to continue to nickel and dime it's residents to death.
I've been a big fan of the site since it's unveiling. Big congrats to the design team. As a frequent user, I find the navigation intuitive and simple, and the layout and design sophisticated and direct. I've also appreciated the web team maintaining this simplicity over the years by not bogging down the pages with a visual assualt of information and links. With many stakeholders vying for "visibility" they've done a nice job keeping it balanced.
If you read the ordinance, you will see that no one is exempt from the ordinance. Only certain calls are exempt.
The City ordinance exempts work-related calls by government officials from the ban and permits anyone to make a 9-1-1 call while driving.
Don Wilson, Alderman, 4th Ward
I call on the city to at least give us an explanation as to why they are exempted. Is that too much to ask? I think not. Otherwise, they're just feeding the paranoia. Transparency now!
How would police enforce the exemption portion of this ordinance?
Let's say an officer stops one of the city aldermen for talking on the cell phone. How would that officer verify the alderman was talking on the cell in official government business?
The purpose of the ordinance I think is to prevent a distraction while someone is driving. Someone please tell me what an aldermen or non-public safety employee could be talking about that would be so urgent to allow them an exemption under the law?
It seems our aldermen feel they are above the citizenry that elected them.
Why is it all the way from Aldermen to Congress think they can pass laws but exempt themselves ?
Do they feel they are or become when elected, a "special people" above the law that mere mortals have to live by ?
Is it really illegal now, and what is the fine for that?
Reply:
Fine is $50 ... $250 if you're involved in an accident while on the phone.
-- Bill
SO glad to hear Oakton is getting recognized for it's academic achievements! Props to the amazing teachers, principal, support staff and students! Hopefully folks will continue to hear good buzz like this and realize what a hidden gem Oakton actually is! Go Cougars!!!
Probably the same professional thieves who took 5 airconditioning condensers from an alley a block away from there. The metal recycling is getting quite out of hand here.
A rain garden (http://www.raingardennetwork.com/faq.htm) sounds like a wonderful idea for any number of reasons, including moderating storm sewer overfilling, efficient pollution filtering and creation of a slightly different habitat for water-loving plants and creatures. A badly constructed garden, however, which doesn't completely drain in less than a day or that includes open unscreened rain barrels, would provide a perfect breeding ground for clouds of West Nile fever/St. Louis encephalitis-carrying Culex mosquitos. Proper design would be key. http://www.raingardennetwork.com/mosquito.htm
While I am not completely surprised that someone would be willing to bring this issue before City Council, i think this action clearly demonstrates how "out of touch" some people (not all) are in government. Personally, I am appalled that this action would be considered; we all know the the current economy remains very weak, the number of unemployed people, the struggles many are facing to pay their bills, the pathetic fiscal situation for our state, the fiscal challenges our city is confronting, and the underfunded situation of all public pension funds.
Please take the time to read "Time for Serious Changes" by "Tough Love." These comments clearly and appropriately address the pension issues. More people need to become educated about the inequities that exist in the public versus private sectors. Changes need to be made today, else all roads in Evanston will lead to Greece.
You are assuming that you speak for a community, when you really speak for yourself.
The Board has been elected to represent the entire community. In my opinion, the disarray of the District 65 school board is because it responds too readily to self-styled advocates. The Board does not think or deliberate. It reacts. Often, it appears, with no information other than the emails from the advocating parents.
So the 70% of Evanstonians without children in the schools go without real representation.
Hello? The ordinance goes into effect Monday. No one can be stopped for phoning while driving until then.
This is yet another reason why Evanston should be chosen as one of the cities to get Google's high-speed, 100-times faster, Internet service.
Nominate Evanston here: https://www.google.com/appserve/fiberrfi/public/options
I see more people ON their phones than NOT on and nothing is enforced. In fact, I was driving on Dempster near Asbury and a woman was holding her phone to her ear, slouching against the door with her mouth going and a POLICE CAR was directly behind her doing nothing. She made a turn and the police car kept going straight. I think anyone being "busted" for talking on their cell phone will be a rare fluke, unfortunately!
I think its pretty obvious he didn't read the article. On the slim chance Evanston was to get this, it would be because of Northwestern. While I hate their sports teams I am thankful as the University could be the reason I am able to download a 1080p movie in a couple seconds.
Should Aldermen and non-public-city employees be partly exempt from wearing seat belts?
The proposal is incredibly irresponsible. The city is running deficits, pension plans are already in trouble and someone proposes to add unfunded liabilities to worsen the situation?
Who put this nonsense forward? Joellen Daley, giving herself and her buddies a gift at the expense of tax payers? If that is not graft, I don't how anyone would define it.
Unbelievable.
No mention if the city council and other "connected officials" are still exempt from the law.
Nice to know the aldermen are as reliable as ever for looking after their own interests over that of the voters and regular citizens of the People's Republik.
If you're going to make the laws you should be subject to the laws.
Remember if the unions or lawyers want something, the Democrats will stand and salute [their owners]. It might just be best to replace the middle-men [Democrate politican] with the unions and lawyer lobby and get it over with.
One has only to observe Evanston government.