SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — The Illinois House passed a bill Thursday to help local governments lower their default speed limit to enhance safety, as 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 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.

"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 also allow communities to lower the speed limits in residential areas to 20 miles per hour and 10 miles per hour for alleys.  

However, the Active Transportation Alliance said some of the most dangerous roadways are run by IDOT. They argue this bill would not impact those roads.

House Bill 5081 passed out of the House unanimously and now moves to the Senate. An identical bill passed out of the Senate Executive Committee last month and awaits floor action. 

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