Abbey Road

Only in Illinois, a state that seems to be able to put more governors in the slammer than any other - George Ryan a Republican went to jail this year for corruption - and who knows how many before Ryan - don’t ask about after Ryan, at least not yet - could we come up with one of the nation’s dumbest legislative proposals.

There’s a bill floating around near our state legislature in Springfield to make it illegal to talk on a cell phone while crossing the street.

Honestly I’d be the first to tell you that I’ve held my breath more than once when a pedestrian walked in front of me talking on a phone. It’s enough to make your heart stop while you try to swerve. I especially like the ones who flip me off when I blow the horn at them too.

But folks come on! Get your priorities straight.

If I almost get run off the road by one more man - or woman - driver talking on the phone who doesn’t take the time to look over their shoulder before they change lanes I’m gonna scream, not to mention throw a big rock at their truck ( and why are they always driving some kind of SUV?).

Piloting two tons of steel while talking on the phone seems like a slightly higher priority than jaywalkers. On this one, the Chicago City Council got it right when they banned cell phone use while driving a few years back. Sure it didn’t stop all the nut cases that simply must know everything right now. But it was a start.

Of course, it could all be worse. A NY state senator proposed similar legislation there this week except his was a bit more reaching. New York’s proposal would also make it a crime to listen to an iPod while crossing the street.