SB0509eng 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SB0509 Engrossed LRB094 07627 DRH 37799 b

AN ACT concerning transportation.

WHEREAS, The Illinois General Assembly finds that laws protecting school-age children with legislation limiting speed limits near schools has successfully protected Illinois children for decades, and a considerable number of recreational facilities in Illinois often border or are in close proximity to educational facilities and do not have the same protections afforded to educational facilities; and

WHEREAS, The Illinois General Assembly finds that ensuring Safe Streets near educational and recreational facilities is a goal requiring the full attention of this General Assembly and the full cooperation of the federal, State, and local units of government and their respective executive departments and agencies; therefore

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 adding Section 11-605.3 as follows:

(625 ILCS 5/11-605.3 new)

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 is used for recreational purposes, or for access to those recreational areas, 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 any street or intersection under the control of a local unit of government, adjacent to or within 220 yards of a park zone, where the local unit of government has, by ordinance or resolution, designated and approved the street or intersection as part of a park zone. The designation may include a reduction in speed to 20 miles per hour or it may include a street without the speed reduction. If a street already has 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, so that a potential hazard exists, a person may not drive a motor vehicle at a speed in excess of 20 miles per hour any lower posted speed, (i) while passing a park zone or (ii) while traveling on a park zone street that has been designated for the posted reduced speed, and where children are going to and from recreation facilities and areas located in a park zone.

(c) On any day when children are present and within 50 feet of motorized traffic, so that a potential hazard exists, failure to come to a complete stop at a stop sign or other traffic control device, including failure to come to a complete stop before a right turn otherwise permitted at a red light, is a violation of this Section.

(d) Nothing in this Chapter prohibits the use of electronic speed detecting devices within 500 feet of signs within a special park zone indicating that zone. Evidence obtained through use of those devices is admissible in any prosecution for speeding or failing to stop at a traffic control device or stop sign, if the device is used only for enforcement within the special park zone or adjacent intersections.

(e) This Section does not apply unless appropriate signs are posted upon streets and highways 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.

(f) 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.

(h) When a fine for a violation of subsection (a) is $250 or greater, the person who violates this Section shall be charged an additional $50, to be paid to the park district for safety purposes.

(i) 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.