Lake County Gazette

Illinois State Rep. Daniel Didech (D-Buffalo Grove) wants to require all Illinois motorcycle and moped riders of all ages to wear a helmet.

House Bill 5629, filed by Didech on Feb 9, amends the Illinois Vehicle Code to require “the operator of a motorcycle, motor driven cycle, or moped and all passengers to wear a motorcycle helmet.”

According to the Governors Highways Safety Association (GHSA), 18 states —California, Washington, Oregon, Nevada, Nebraska, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, West Virginia, New York, Vermont, Massachusetts, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, and Hawaii— have a law like Didech has proposed, requiring helmets for motorcyclists of all ages.

The GHSA reports that 17 states — Indiana, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Arizona, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, North Dakota, South Dakota, Kansas, Oklahoma, Ohio, Maine, Connecticut and Alaska— require helmets for all motorcyclists under age 18.

Delaware requires helmets for all motorcyclists under age 19.

Michigan, Utah, Texas, Arkansas, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, and Florida— nine states, require helmets for all motorcyclists under age 21.

Missouri requires helmets for all motorcyclists under age 26.

Illinois, Iowa and New Hampshire have no laws requiring helmets for motorcyclists, regardless of age.

Didech represents Illinois House District 59, a position he was first elected to in 2019. He is running for reelection for another term, and will be on the Democratic primary ballot on March 19, 2024.