HB5328 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB102 25023 RAM 34280 b

102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2021 and 2022
HB5328

Introduced 1/31/2022, by Rep. Robert Rita

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

625 ILCS 5/11-605	from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 11-605
625 ILCS 5/11-605.3

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that special speed limits while passing schools apply to local, county, or State roadways. Increases the fine for speeding in a school zone to $250 for a first offense (instead of $150) and $500 for a subsequent offense (instead of $300). Includes State roads in the definition of "park zone street".

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning transportation.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The Illinois Vehicle Code is amended by changing Sections 11-605 and 11-605.3 as follows:

(625 ILCS 5/11-605) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 11-605)

Sec. 11-605. Special speed limit while passing schools.

(a) For the purpose of this Section, "school" means the following entities:

(1) A public or private primary or secondary school.

(2) A primary or secondary school operated by a religious institution.

(3) A public, private, or religious nursery school.

On a school day when school children are present and so close thereto that a potential hazard exists because of the close proximity of the motorized traffic, no person shall drive a motor vehicle at a speed in excess of 20 miles per hour while passing a school zone or while traveling on a local, county, or State roadway on public school property or upon any public thoroughfare where children pass going to and from school.

For the purpose of this Section, a school day begins at 6:30 a.m. and concludes at 4 p.m.

This Section shall not be applicable unless appropriate signs are posted upon streets and highways under their respective jurisdiction and maintained by the Department, township, county, park district, city, village or incorporated town wherein the school zone is located. With regard to the special speed limit while passing schools, such signs shall give proper due warning that a school zone is being approached and shall indicate the school zone and the maximum speed limit in effect during school days when school children are present.

(b) (Blank).

(c) Nothing in this Chapter shall prohibit the use of electronic speed-detecting devices within 500 feet of signs within a special school speed zone indicating such zone, as defined in this Section, nor shall evidence obtained thereby be inadmissible in any prosecution for speeding provided the use of such device shall apply only to the enforcement of the speed limit in such special school speed zone.

(d) (Blank).

(e) Except as provided in subsection (e-5), a person who violates this Section is guilty of a petty offense. Violations of this Section are punishable with a minimum fine of $250 $150 for the first violation and a minimum fine of $500 $300 for the second or subsequent violation.

(e-5) A person committing a violation of this Section is guilty of aggravated special speed limit while passing schools when he or she drives a motor vehicle at a speed that is:

(1) 26 miles per hour or more but less than 35 miles per hour in excess of the applicable special speed limit established under this Section or a similar provision of a local ordinance and is guilty of a Class B misdemeanor; or

(2) 35 miles per hour or more in excess of the applicable special speed limit established under this Section or a similar provision of a local ordinance and is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor.

(f) (Blank).

(g) (Blank).

(h) (Blank).

(Source: P.A. 102-58, eff. 7-9-21.)

(625 ILCS 5/11-605.3)

Sec. 11-605.3. Special traffic protections while passing parks and recreation facilities and areas.

(a) As used in this Section:

(1) "Park district" means the following entities:

(A) any park district organized under the Park District Code;

(B) any park district organized under the Chicago Park District Act; and

(C) any municipality, county, forest district, school district, township, or other unit of local government that operates a public recreation department or public recreation facilities that has recreation facilities that are not on land owned by any park district listed in subparagraphs (A) and (B) of this subdivision (a)(1).

(2) "Park zone" means the recreation facilities and areas on any land owned or operated by a park district that are used for recreational purposes, including but not limited to: parks; playgrounds; swimming pools; hiking trails; bicycle paths; picnic areas; roads and streets; and parking lots.

(3) "Park zone street" means that portion of any State or local street or intersection under the control of a local unit of government, adjacent to a park zone, where the local unit of government has, by ordinance or resolution, designated and approved the street or intersection as a park zone street. If, before the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 94th General Assembly, a street already had a posted speed limit lower than 20 miles per hour, then the lower limit may be used for that park zone street.

(4) "Safety purposes" means the costs associated with: park zone safety education; the purchase, installation, and maintenance of signs, roadway painting, and caution lights mounted on park zone signs; and any other expense associated with park zones and park zone streets.

(b) On any day when children are present and within 50 feet of motorized traffic, a person may not drive a motor vehicle at a speed in excess of 20 miles per hour or any lower posted speed while traveling on a park zone street that has been designated for the posted reduced speed.

(c) On any day when children are present and within 50 feet of motorized traffic, any driver traveling on a park zone street who fails to come to a complete stop at a stop sign or red light, including a driver who fails to come to a complete stop at a red light before turning right onto a park zone street, is in violation of this Section.

(d) This Section does not apply unless appropriate signs are posted upon park zone streets maintained by the Department or by the unit of local government in which the park zone is located. With regard to the special speed limit on park zone streets, the signs must give proper due warning that a park zone is being approached and must indicate the maximum speed limit on the park zone street.

(e) A first violation of this Section is a petty offense with a minimum fine of $250. A second or subsequent violation of this Section is a petty offense with a minimum fine of $500.

(f) (Blank).

(g) The Department shall, within 6 months of the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 94th General Assembly, design a set of standardized traffic signs for park zones and park zone streets, including but not limited to: "park zone", "park zone speed limit", and "warning: approaching a park zone". The design of these signs shall be made available to all units of local government or manufacturers at no charge, except for reproduction and postage.

(Source: P.A. 100-987, eff. 7-1-19.)