West Central Reporter

Illinois State House District 100 candidate, C.D. Davidsmeyer, recently stated, "Passed a bill out of committee to ensure that drivers are taught to recognize hazardous materials placards, making sure that they are extra careful around these vehicles." Davidsmeyer, who is currently campaigning for re-election, expressed his gratitude towards Sen. Steve McClure "for his work bringing this forward in the Senate, following a terrible accident that occurred in Teutopolis."

"Passed a bill out of committee to ensure that drivers are taught to recognize hazardous materials placards, making sure that they are extra careful around these vehicles," said Cd Davidsmeyer, State Representative, according to Facebook. "Thank you to Senator Steve McClure for his work bringing this forward in the Senate, following a terrible accident that occurred in Teutopolis. I look forward to final passage on the House floor and seeing this in future Rules of the Road books."

In a Facebook post by Davidsmeyer, he shared a link to a WANDTV report detailing the house committee’s approval of the bill. The WANDTV report discussed an October crash in Teutopolis which resulted in five fatalities and nearly a dozen injuries due to a collision and chemical spill involving anhydrous ammonia on Sept. 29, 2023.

Screenshot of Rep. C.D. Davidsmeyer's May 1 Facebook post | Rep. C.D. Davidsmeyer's Facebook page

The proposed legislation mandates education on hazardous materials placards in the Illinois Rules of the Road book obtained by students during driver’s education. "It's not to the extent of receiving your hazardous materials license, but it just allows in particular young drivers to recognize the hazards that may be around them on the road," said Davidsmeyer (R-Jacksonville) as reported by the television station.

Senate Bill 3406 was introduced by Sen. Steve McClure on Feb. 8, 2024 and successfully passed through both houses on May 20, 2024 after gaining Senate approval on April 12. The bill stipulates that the Secretary of State include "information pertaining to the transportation of hazardous materials" in the Illinois Rules of the Road driver’s education book. According to information available on the Illinois General Assembly website regarding this bill, this information should "include an image and description that details the various hazardous material placards used on vehicles that transport hazardous materials."

C.D. Davidsmeyer has been serving as a legislator since 2013. A lifelong resident of Jacksonville, Illinois, Davidsmeyer attended Miami University in Oxford Ohio for his college education. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and later served as a Legislative Assistant to Congressman John Shimkus in Washington, DC. Davidsmeyer joined the Jacksonville City Council in 2008 and has held positions as the Chairman of the Public Protection Committee and Chair of the Finance Committee. He has also been an active member of the local Chamber of Commerce, Rotary and Library Board.