Bill helping municipalities lower speed limits awaits Pritzker's signature

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — Legislation on Gov. JB Pritzker's desk could help local governments lower their default speed limit to improve safety.

The bill would let communities adopt lower speed limits through resolutions or ordinances.

The statutory speed limit in Illinois is 30 miles per hour in urban districts, but many drivers speed into or through cities. IDOT wants to let local governments lower the limit without conducting costly speed studies.

"It gives state and local authorities more structured flexibility to set lower speed limits based on safety and target speed principles while emphasizing safety over revenue in enforcement," said Sen. Mike Porfirio (D-Burbank).

The proposal could also let communities lower speed limits in residential areas to 20 miles per hour and 10 miles per hour for alleys.

House Bill 5081 passed out of the Senate on a 51-5 vote. It received a 116-1 vote in the House.