The Sound of Silence

by: Braden Fogerson

Sponsors Kenzie Kirk and Maggie Reed of the Gateway Region are proposing a bill aiming to ban the use of emergency siren sounds on radio stations. These sounds resemble those of sirens used for police, fire, and ambulance vehicles. 

According to Kirk, she is “hoping to solve car accidents, or hazards with transportation.” It is important to her because, “It has happened to me, where I have had to look up to see if there is a police officer or somebody behind me. Usually those sounds are used for emergency purposes and not advertisement purposes.” The fine for violating this new rule would be $5,000.

Should it be signed into law by the Governor of the State of Illinois, it will take effect on January 1st, 2021, with the Office of the Illinois Attorney General Consumer Protection Bureau enforcing it.