SPRINGFIELD – In an effort to keep Illinois on track toward a cleaner, more sustainable future, State Senator Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) advanced a measure out of the Senate incentivizing the purchase of electric motorcycles in Illinois.

“The decision is easy: any step we can take toward sustainability, we should,” Koehler said. “This legislation simply aligns the state’s treatment of all electric modes of transportation. We need to make electric vehicles of all kinds as accessible and affordable as possible to all Illinoisans. This is how we make that happen.”

The Climate and Equitable Jobs Act, passed in Sept. 2021, offers a rebate to incentivize the purchase of new and used electric vehicles in Illinois. This was done in an effort to encourage a transition to cleaner, more sustainable vehicles statewide. Senate Bill 2940 expands CEJA to make highway-legal electric motorcycles eligible for a $1,500 electric vehicle rebate. ABATE (A Brotherhood Aimed Towards Education), the state’s largest motorcycle advocacy group, played a large role in drafting the legislation.

“ABATE of Illinois is committed to including motorcycles in the future of Illinois Transportation. We would like to thank Senator Koehler for his leadership on Senate Bill 2940 which makes sure motorcycles are treated equally in electric transportation planning and incentives” said Josh Witkowski, State Legislative Coordinator for ABATE of Illinois. “Companies who source parts from right here in Illinois are leading the industry trend to include more electric options with other major manufacturers to follow. This bill is being watched around the U.S., and Senator Koehler is ensuring that Illinois continues to lead in cutting edge technologies.”

The legislation passed out of the Senate Thursday and now advances to the House for further consideration.