SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — Illinois could soon help local governments lower their default speed limit to increase safety. Communities would be able to adopt lower speed limits through resolutions or ordinances.

The statutory speed limit in Illinois is 30 miles per hour in urban districts, but many people frequently speed into or through cities.

IDOT wants to give local governments the ability to lower the default speed 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).

This plan also allows communities to lower the 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. The measure received a 116-1 vote in the House.

It now heads to Gov. JB Pritzker's desk for final approval. 

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