Abate of Illinois Inc. – Freeport Chapter
President:
Dan Bragg
I would like to welcome all the officers to their new positions.
We are heading into a new year and new riding season please be safe in your ventures.
Dan
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Vice President:
Beth Buisker
Legislative Day was April 17th:
Over 120 ABATE members gathered in Springfield, and after meeting at Floyd’s Thirsty Parlor, and we had all received our list of Senators and Representatives to visit, we headed to the Capital on our missions.
Neal, Cleaver, and I met with Senator Andrew Chesney in his office; by the time we said “Goodbye” and thanked him for his time, and arrived at the House Gallery it was full, and we couldn’t get in. However, 2/3rds of the gallery were ABATE members! (We were easy to spot in our bright green t-shirts.)
I wasn’t there, but from what I understand Representative Stephanie Kifowit gave the abate members in the gallery a very nice moment of recognition from the House Floor. (Rep. Kifowit is a Dem. from the 84th district) I heard it was “very nicely done”.
Later at the evening reception, we had even more members show up and Josh Witkowski (AKA: Ski) guessed the numbers to be close to 140 ABATE members in Springfield and was a great success!
And lastly, with the weather being so mild, many of us are already logging miles on their bikes! Remember cagers aren’t looking (ever) but especially this early in the year, so PLEASE be extra careful out there!
Remember; April is our last month at the Eagles Club, we will be meeting at Riviera Park in May!
Ride Safe!
Beth
Our monthly meetings are the 3rd Sunday of every month.
Fall and winter meetings, October through April, we meet at the Eagles Club 1200 W. Galena Ave. in Freeport Illinois, please come and join us.
Spring and summer meetings, May through September, we meet outside at Riviera Park, 4513 S. Cranes Grove Rd., Freeport IL.
Meetings start at 12:30 sharp and we try to not let them go longer than two hours. We cover a lot of information at our meetings and encourage you to join us. Families are welcome and encouraged to attend, and especially at our August family picnic meeting. Children are most welcome, and we have special activities to keep them occupied during the meeting.
Safety, Education and Legislation are all key initiatives of ABATE. We encourage all members and non-members alike to ride safely.
Please read our mission statement below.
Mission Statement
The Mission of A.B.A.T.E. is to preserve the universal right to a safe, unrestricted, motorcycling environment.
A.B.A.T.E. OF ILLINOIS is a neutral not-for-profit organization that allows all riders to unite in A Brotherhood Aimed Toward Education.
A.B.A.T.E. OF ILLINOIS works to safeguard our motorcycling rights, while allowing us to be individuals with different views.
A.B.A.T.E. OF ILLINOIS’ main concern is putting motorcycle legislation in its proper perspective. This is being accomplished though motorcycle safety education programs, public awareness programs, and other programs designed to prevent injury or fatal accidents to motorcyclists.
A.B.A.T.E. OF ILLINOIS keeps the legislature informed of our position on legislation that is unfair or discriminatory towards motorcyclists.
A.B.A.T.E. OF ILLINOIS works closely with motorcycle rights organizations across the nation to stop discriminatory legislation aimed at all motorcyclists.
Important Membership Update
You can now join or renew your membership online at the ABATE State Website. Click Here for instant access to the State Level Website for online membership.
Chapter Fundraisers
Spring 2023 Cash Raffle
$100.00 Winner
Becky Snider
$75.00 Winner
Doug VanHorn
$50.00 Winner
Mark Bratly
$25.00 Winner
Judy Klemick
Gun Raffle 2023
Our Gun Raffle last fall was a huge success!
We would like to thank everyone that supported us by buying and selling tickets!
And the winner is: Mike Ackerman of Freeport.
A HUGE “Thank you!” to Gahm Enterprises for their help and for supplying the weapon for this falls raffle.
Stay tuned, we may have another this spring!
LATEST SOFT-TALE ISSUE:
Report a hazardous road condition on this site!
MRF News
Dennis ‘Cleaver’ Yeager, receiving the 2023 MRF State Rep. of the Year award.
172 Renewals for the 2023 year
Heartland Steam
Chapter Donation Banner
Northwest Region Donation Banner
Anniversary Party
Roger Larson “Welcome Everybody”
Founding Chapter Members
Dean Pfile “Member of the Year 2021”
Membership News
New Members
Welcome to the Freeport Chapter!
2023
Xander Schier
Kurt Lee
David Seas
Leanna Corley
Elizabethe Anderson
Judy Klimek
Ray Bragg
Melody Bragg
Expired Members
We would like you back in the chapter.
So if you know them, put a bug in their ear to renew
2023
Penny Williams
Gordon Williams
Pat McCabe
Jim Lemanski
Brian Cash
Kurt Boland
Candie Crow
Deb Harwick
Jim Harwick
Juliea Headrick
Wesley Headrick
David Loring
Katrina Ingalls
Jacob Boland
Joseph Lotta Humphrey
Ian & Judy Bradley
Kimberly Johnson
Randall Banister
Deanna Klein
Don Ostrander
Chapter Memorial – Gone but not Forgotten
It is with great sadness that we have lost a founding member of the Freeport Chapter. Brad Van Horn aka “Fat Jack” passed away on April 18, 2022, at home.
Products
T-Shirt (Short Sleeve)
Look Twice, Save a Life
Baseball Cap
T-Shirt (Short Sleeve)
Original Design
Can Koozies
T-Shirt (Long Sleeve)
Ladies of Abate
Magnetic Emblems
T-Shirt (Long Sleeve)
Tie-Dye
Patches
To purchase any products, Karen Van Horn @ 815-291-6513 or come to a chapter meeting.