Josh Witkowski

Pres @ XLN Services , Lobbyist, Freemason, Biker, Political & Technical Cynic

[Josh Witkowski @wayfaring_ski]

@Magnetodawn It's interesting that you equate tattoos and protective gear with such negative imagery. Just out of curiosity, since you feel free to judge people you know nothing of, should bikers judge all "peaceful Christians" by your words & actions?

[Josh Witkowski @wayfaring_ski]

Mouse was a good leader. He chose contemplation and encouragement to move his people forward. Many more could've learned from him

[ABATE of Illinois @ABATEofIllinois]

It is with heavy hearts that ABATE of Illinois shares the passing of Bob “Mouse” Ellinger, who passed away this morning.

Mouse served as a former ABATE of Illinois State Coordinator and currently as our Parliamentarian.

There are no plans for services or a celebration of life.

[Jordan Schultz @Schultz_Report]

The #Colts’ schedule release is a Simpsons parody and it’s absolutely glorious! 🤣🤣

(🎥 @Colts)

[Marcus Leshock @marcusleshock]

There is a RAT on the field at Wrigley! 🐀🤣 @Cubs

Watch for the Phillies reaction when they noticed it. 🤣🤣

[Josh Witkowski @wayfaring_ski]

Thank you to the @21stShow for having me on this week to talk Autonomous Vehicles in Illinois

[ABATE of Illinois @ABATEofIllinois]

ABATE of Illinois Lobbyist @wayfaring_ski joined the @21stShow (at the 30 minute mark) to discuss the future of driverless cars and to cover where ABATE of Illinois stands on @Waymo coming to Illinois. #ABATEIL #twill 🏍

https://t.co/6jzknI4HYT

[Chris Hansen @c_hansen84]

I have a serious question for Illinois legislators - including leadership - pushing to bring @Waymo driverless taxis to our state.

If a delivery robot can’t even “see” properly and crashes into a bus shelter in Chicago… how are we supposed to believe a driverless vehicle is going to reliably see a motorcycle or a pedestrian?

We’re already seeing real-world failures. Waymo itself has proven these systems aren’t ready — including incidents where pedestrians were hit, even in areas where you would expect the highest level of safety, like school zones.

Yet here we are, being asked to trust this technology on Illinois roads based on cherry-picked data and carefully curated trips to places like Arizona.

That’s not how public safety works.

Motorcyclists are already among the most vulnerable people on the road. If these systems struggle to detect large, stationary objects or pedestrians, what happens when it’s a rider in motion? What happens when it’s your child crossing the street?

Allowing these vehicles on our roads without strict rules, real oversight, and full transparency is unacceptable.

@ABATEofIllinois will continue to stand up, ask the hard questions, and fight to make sure that if autonomous vehicles are allowed in Illinois, they come with real protections — not promises.

Because when it comes to safety, “trust us” isn’t good enough. #twill #ABATEIL #DuKaneABATE 🏍️

[Josh Witkowski @wayfaring_ski]

Waymo blocks an ambulance responding to a mass shooting. What we can learn from the latest @Waymo failure . https://t.co/DAOG0BFmtC

[Josh Witkowski @wayfaring_ski]

It was an honor to appear on @wttw last night as part of a panel @RepKamBuckner to discuss driverless vehicles and how they may affect IL motorcyclists & drivers.

[ABATE of Illinois @ABATEofIllinois]

ABATE of Illinois Lobbyist @wayfaring_ski joined @wttw alongside @RepKamBuckner to discuss @Waymo bringing self-driving taxis to IL.

We demand transparency, honest data, and full regulations before these vehicles hit our roads. #twill #ABATEIL🏍️ https://t.co/PuNFzSD4AV

[Illinois Comptroller @ILComptroller]

It was an honor to be part of the Grand Opening of Polska Chata Bar & Banquet in Wood Dale, IL. Thank you to owner Justyna for sharing something meaningful with the community and for doing business here in Illinois.

[Chris Hansen @c_hansen84]

Tonight, I had the honor of giving out my first Rich Neb Award as @ABATEofIllinois State Coordinator. It is the organization’s highest honor. It couldn’t have been more fitting to award it to Hunter John Harris, a true friend and brother. I was proud to stand with all of these Rich Neb Award winners tonight. #twill #ABATEIL #DuKaneABATE🏍️

[Josh Witkowski @wayfaring_ski]

Happy LRB deadline day to all who procrastinate. Shout out to the attorneys and staff that put up with us.

[Josh Witkowski @wayfaring_ski]

Proving yet again why we need to be more vigilant as "self driving" vehicles continue to expand on all roadways

[Stonk King ((((🌕)))) @StonkKing4]

$TSLA FSD (latest version in China) veered into oncoming traffic

🤡 caused head-on collision

[Collin Corbett @CollinCorbett]

Data centers are significantly increasing energy costs (and soon water costs) for working families. But there's another, less talked about impact. They're also directly and indirectly spiking aluminum prices. That's a big reason pop is so expensive now. https://t.co/UePvpX6CiT

[Josh Witkowski @wayfaring_ski]

@chicagobars Well done, good folks

[Josh Witkowski @wayfaring_ski]

Stopped in to have a drink at a place I've had on my list for a while. Hey @chicagobars , where am I?

[Josh Witkowski @wayfaring_ski]

Thank you to @fox32news for having me on last night to discuss @Waymo proposed legislation for Illinois.

[ABATE of Illinois @ABATEofIllinois]

ABATE of Illinois lobbyist @wayfaring_ski spoke with Paris Schutz on @fox32news about @Waymo bringing driverless taxis to Illinois.

Before this moves forward, these vehicles need real oversight, clear rules, and transparency, not cherry-picked data.

https://t.co/6qiVMBXHtD

[Chris Hansen @c_hansen84]

🚨 Wake-up call for Illinois: If @Waymo can’t reliably see school bus stop lights, how can they be trusted to see motorcycles? 🚨

This week it came out that Waymo is issuing a voluntary software recall after its driverless taxis illegally passed stopped school buses at least 19 times in Texas, even when the buses had flashing red lights and stop arms deployed. One incident showed a robotaxi moving forward moments after a child had crossed in front of it. 

Yet, some state legislators are pushing to bring these vehicles to Cook and Sangamon Counties here in Illinois. If these systems are struggling to recognize school bus safety signals, how can we trust them to spot smaller, harder-to-detect road users like motorcyclists?

Our roads are not a testing ground. Our families, kids, and fellow riders shouldn’t be treated as beta testers for a software patch. Lives shouldn’t be put up to chance while companies update code.

Before we open our streets to fleets of experimental vehicles, we must demand real accountability, proven safety in every scenario—not hopeful promises and software updates.

🛑 Our roads deserve better. Our lives depend on it. 🛑 #twill #DuKaneABATE #ABATEIL🏍️

https://t.co/1ZHxa9i8kb

[Chris Hansen @c_hansen84]

Are we really considering bringing THIS to Illinois?

Putting @Waymo driverless taxis on the roads in Cook and Sangamon Counties puts EVERYONE at risk — especially motorcyclists. This technology is NOT ready for our roads. We’ve already seen repeated failures, near-misses, and dangerous situations in other states, and there’s no reason to believe Illinois would be any different.

Motorcyclists are some of the hardest vehicles for autonomous systems to detect, and until that changes, these vehicles have NO business sharing our roads.

Illinois needs safe, reliable transportation — not untested tech that gambles with people’s lives.

Let’s make it clear: our roads should prioritize the safety of riders, drivers and families… not the profit margins of a tech company. #twill #DuKaneABATE #ABATEIL 🏍️

[Josh Witkowski @wayfaring_ski]

Thank you to @chicagotribune for the coverage on the issues surround deployment of driverless taxis in Illinois.

[ABATE of Illinois @ABATEofIllinois]

ABATE of Illinois Lobbyist @wayfaring_ski spoke with the @chicagotribune over the weekend about where ABATE stands on Waymo trying to bring driverless taxis to Sangamon and Cook Counties. #ABATEIL #twill🏍 https://t.co/OMzk1kvSZc

[Josh Witkowski @wayfaring_ski]

@chicagodivediva @chicagobars Who did the Pope piss off that you'd want to slander him with the unholiest of liquor? Chicago has given us many great things. Malort is not one of them.