16 THE AUDUBON, BiU Lol Eris 
GOV. KERNER SIGNS BILLBOARD CONTROL LAW 
By Raymond Mostek 
The above is a headline I never expected to see in a newspaper, but it 
appeared this June. The new law, enacted by the General Assembly, will 
not become effective until 1967. It would prohibit erection of all but limited 
types of commercial billboards within 660 feet of the right-of-way of the 
new Federal Interstate Highway System. In most instances, the federal 
government pays up to 90% of the cost of roads. The new law will result 
in a federal bonus to Illinois of up to $4,000,000. 
After several years of delay, how was it that such a controversial 
measure, so bitterly opposed by billboard interests, was passed by a legisla- 
ture not noted for great accomplishments? There are several answers: The 
state administration wanted the bill passed and actively sought support 
for it; the new “blue ribbon” legislature, elected at large, did not include 
some of the strong opponents; the Chicago Motor Club, long silent on the 
matter, finally joined the American Automobile Association and urged its 
passage; the Garden Clubs of Illinois worked steadily in its favor; the 
press and several columnists proclaimed the disgrace of our public high- 
ways; and finally, President Johnson’s suggestion that he would seek strong 
federal legislation against billboard blight aroused support and publicity. 
What role did the I.A.S. Roadside Committee play in all this? A great 
one! Last December, we sent out copies of Michael Frome’s article on 
Roadside Blight to all Illinois legislators; letters and telegrams were sent 
to Governor Kerner, the Illinois Highway Department and several key 
legislators; letters of thanks to the House sponsors of the bill were dis- 
patched by our Regional Secretaries. Hundreds of letters have been mailed 
to billboard advertisers, urging them to end their “uglification of America’s 
roadsides.” Billboard stickers were distributed. 
We can be proud that Illinois has finally joined the growing list of 
states which have acted in behalf of preservation of natural beauty along 
their roadsides. 
615 Rochdale Circle, Lombard, III. 60148 
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Pesticides News 
By Mrs. Arthur M. Jens, Jt. 
A. federal bill, H.R. 4157, which would increase the amount of money that 
can be appropriated to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for research on 
besticide-wildlife relationships, and would also require better labeling of 
packaged pesticides to warn of dangers to fish or wildlife, was introduced. 
PLEASE WRITE YOUR REPRESENTATIVES! A similar bill, S. 1623, has 
already passed the Senate. 
Another bill, H.R. 4158, would require advance consultation with federal 
and state wildlife agencies before any federal agency could undertake a 
