Springfield, IL (WAND) – A new plan in Springfield could help local governments lower their default speed limit to enhance safety. Communities would be able to adopt lower speed limits through resolution or ordinance.
The statutory speed limit in Illinois is 30 miles per hour in urban districts, but many people see drivers frequently speed into or through cities.
The Illinois Department of Transportation wants to give counties, townships and municipalities the ability to lower the default speed limit from 30 miles per hour to 25 miles per hour without conducting speed studies that cost roughly $20,000.
Sponsors said the bill could allow local agencies to decide what makes sense for their roadways.
“It’s not a one-size-fits-all bill,” said Sen. Mike Porfirio (D-Burbank). “For communities that do wish to lower their speed limit on the roads, they will find it is, in many cases, easier. For communities that do not wish to lower their speed limit, they will not be impacted by this bill.”
The plan could allow communities to lower the speed limits in residential areas to 20 miles per hour and 10 miles per hour for alleys.
However, some advocates argue the plan doesn’t go far enough to increase safety.
The Active Transportation Alliance said some of the most dangerous roadways are run by IDOT, and this bill would not impact them.
“Our ask is that we work to make this bill stronger by looking at a lower overall urban area speed limit in Illinois, which is where the vast majority of our 1,200 fatalities happen,” said Amy Rynell, executive director of the Active Transportation Alliance.
Rynell said 22 other states have lowered their urban area speed limits. IDOT stressed local leaders can tell the department if they want to lower the speed limit on state roads.
IDOT legislative affairs director Aaron Goldstein said this legislation would only address local roads.
“If they decide that they want their entire municipality to go from 30 miles per hour to 25 miles per hour and the roads that are there are able to do that, they are welcome to do that,” Goldstein said. “But if they want to do just one stretch, then they can do that too.”
Senate Bill 3374 passed unanimously out of the Senate Executive Committee Wednesday. It now moves to the Senate floor for further consideration.
