Quinn visits Marion to sign poker run bill into law

Gov. Pat Quinn was in Marion Tuesday afternoon to sign a bill into law which will help charitable poker run motorcycle rallies keep more of their proceeds.

Quinn signed the bill at Black Diamond Harley-Davidson in front of a crowd of about 100 supporters, motorcyclists and community members.

"Southern Illinois has a big heart," he said. "I wanted to sign this bill as fast as possible."

Poker runs are fundraising events where motorcycle riders pay an entry fee and then ride through a series of checkpoints throughout the day, where they receive playing cards.

The participant with the best poker hand at the end of the event receives a cash prize, while the rest of the money raised goes towards the cause the event is helping.

Under the new law, the poker runs will be under the jurisdiction of county governments and will only cost up to $25 to participate in.

Previously, the events have been regulated by the state under the Gaming Act and could cost participants between $400 and $600 to join.

The goal of lowering the costs and regulation process is to raise participation, the number of poker runs annually and the amount of money the charities can keep.

Quinn called poker runs a "very creative way to raise money for good causes."

"I think the people of Southern Illinois and Illinois have big hearts," he said. "They have servants hearts and understand when someone needs a helping hand."

Quinn said the fee of $25 is a modest fee and better than a few of a couple hundred dollars. He said it was important to him to lower the fee so poker runs can be organized.

"They help so many people," he said. "They help people with hospital bills, they help food pantries and military families. It all comes together."

Quinn credited A.B.A.T.E. of Illinois, an organization dedicated to preserving the rights of all motorcyclists, and Sen. Gary Forby (D-Benton) for getting the bill to pass through the legislature.

Quinn said he talked to Forby last Friday about getting the bill signed as quickly as possible.

He said already had plans to travel south and thought Black Diamond Harley-Davidson would be a great place to sign the bill into law because of its connection with motorcycles.

"Charitable runs like these poker runs are a very important and creative way, especially in Southern Illinois, to help your neighbor," Quinn said.

Forby credited Bob Myers of A.B.A.T.E., people from Hospice of Southern Illinois, members of the Shriner's Club and Rep. Rich Brauer (R-Springfield), Rep. John Bradley (D-Marion) and Rep. Brandon Phelps (D-Harrisburg) with working on the bill as well.

"People came together to get this done," Forby said.

Quinn said passing the law summed up the values in the area and state as a whole.

"Southern Illinois is all about family," Quinn said. "We are a family of 13 million people in Illinois. It's a big family. We aren't a crowd of everyone going in their separate directions. We are a community of shared values."

Quinn came to Marion from Troy, where he signed the "cupcake bill" into law earlier in the day.

The bill was introduced after 12-year-old Chloe Stirling's home baking operation which provided treats for fundraisers was shut down by health officials earlier this year.

The new law, which takes effect immediately, requires sellers to tell consumers the product was made in a home and it only applies to home kitchen businesses making less than $1,000 a month.