Since the beginning of 2012, Illinois motorcycle enthusiasts have stepped into controversy every time they sat in the saddle for a ride.

While their trip may be as short as a ride to the local store, they head into the debate over Illinois' lastest law which allows riders, whether powered by an engine or not, to essentially run a red light.

Effective January 1st, a new law allows motorcyclists to proceed with caution through an intersection if the light fails to turn green “within a reasonable period of time” due to a signal malfunction or simply because the vehicle does not weigh enough to set off ground sensors.

But like many New Years Eve celebrations, it wasn’t a pain-free process getting to this red-light liberated state. State elected officials had to come together in November of last year to override the veto of Illinois’ Governor and House Bill 2860, the bill allowing riders the freedom to assess a delayed red light.

And even with the law officially on the books, bikers in Illinois are still riding into the unknown when they make that decision to move through a red light. The current law doesn’t specify an exact time riders are required to wait for the lights to change from red.

Between this omission and some law enforcement officials being against the idea of any road user moving though a red light, the Governor tried to veto the bill last year.

To fix the current law, a new one has been introduced.  Bill 2528 is making its way through the Senate that could give motorcycle riders a specific guideline on how long is long enough to wait before proceeding through a clear intersection.

The magical number of how long is too long for a red light?

Reportedly 120 seconds.

For riders either in Illinois or cruising through the Land of Lincoln, special attention should be given to the new red light law when in Chicago; it doesn’t apply there. The legislation does not apply to the city of Chicago, stipulating that the rule is effective only in Illinois communities with fewer than two million residents.