HB4338 93RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB093 16608 DRH 42258 b

93RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2003 and 2004
HB4338

Introduced 02/02/04, by Charles E. Jefferson

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

625 ILCS 5/11-605

from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 11-605

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that a local agency may delegate to its superintendent of highways the authority to set reduced speed limits within construction or maintenance zones. Provides that if a superintendent of highways sets a reduced speed limit for a construction or maintenance zone under the new provision, the local agency must maintain a record of the location of the construction or maintenance zone, the reduced speed limit set and posted for the zone, and the dates during which the reduced speed limit was in effect.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning vehicles.

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 Section 11-605 as follows:

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

Sec. 11-605. Special speed limit while passing schools or while traveling through highway construction or maintenance zones.

(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 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 shall begin at seven ante meridian and shall conclude at four post meridian.

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) No person shall operate a motor vehicle in a construction or maintenance zone at a speed in excess of the posted speed limit when workers are present and so close to the moving traffic that a potential hazard exists because of the motorized traffic.

(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 or a construction or maintenance 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 or a construction or maintenance zone.

(d) For the purpose of this Section, a construction or maintenance zone is an area in which the Department, Toll Highway Authority, or local agency has determined that the preexisting established speed limit through a highway construction or maintenance project is greater than is reasonable or safe with respect to the conditions expected to exist in the construction or maintenance zone and has posted a lower speed limit with a highway construction or maintenance zone special speed limit sign.

Highway construction or maintenance zone special speed limit signs shall be of a design approved by the Department. The signs shall give proper due warning that a construction or maintenance zone is being approached and shall indicate the maximum speed limit in effect. The signs shall also state the amount of the minimum fine for a violation when workers are present.

(d-1) A local agency may delegate to its superintendent of highways the authority to set and post a reduced speed limit for a construction or maintenance zone under subsection (b). If a superintendent of highways sets a reduced speed limit for a construction or maintenance zone in accordance with this subsection (d-1), the local agency must maintain a record that indicates (i) the location of the construction or maintenance zone, (ii) the reduced speed limit set and posted for the construction or maintenance zone, and (iii) the dates during which the reduced speed limit was in effect.

(e) A first violation of this Section is a petty offense with a minimum fine of $150. A second or subsequent violation of this Section is a petty offense with a minimum fine of $300.

(f) When a fine for a violation of subsection (a) is $150 or greater, the person who violates subsection (a) shall be charged an additional $50 to be paid to the unit school district where the violation occurred for school safety purposes. If the violation occurred in a dual school district, $25 of the surcharge shall be paid to the elementary school district for school safety purposes and $25 of the surcharge shall be paid to the high school district for school safety purposes. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the entire $50 surcharge shall be paid to the appropriate school district or districts.

For purposes of this subsection (f), "school safety purposes" includes the costs associated with school zone safety education and the purchase, installation, and maintenance of caution lights which are mounted on school speed zone signs.

(g) When a fine for a violation of subsection (b) is $150 or greater, the person who violates subsection (b) shall be charged an additional $50. The $50 surcharge shall be deposited into the Transportation Safety Highway Hire-back Fund.

(h) The Transportation Safety Highway Hire-back Fund is created as a special fund in the State treasury. Subject to appropriation by the General Assembly and approval by the Secretary, the Secretary of Transportation shall use all moneys in the Transportation Safety Highway Hire-back Fund to hire off-duty Department of State Police officers to monitor construction or maintenance zones.

(Source: P.A. 91-531, eff. 1-1-00; 92-242, eff. 1-1-02; 92-619, eff. 1-1-03; 92-780, eff. 8-6-02; revised 8-22-02.)