August 26, 2014

To the Honorable Members of the

Illinois Senate, 98^th General Assembly:

In accordance with Article IV, Section 9(b), of the Illinois Constitution, I hereby veto Senate Bill 2015 of the 98^th General Assembly.

Senate Bill 2015 seeks to change the maximum speed limit from 65 to 70 miles per hour on all toll highways under the jurisdiction of the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority (THA).

Recent evidence shows that drivers already travel at excessive speeds on Illinois toll highways. The THA conducted a study of drivers on I-94 in Lake County in 2013 and found that 71 percent of drivers sampled exceeded the posted speed limit by more than 15 miles per hour. A second, more thorough study conducted by the THA measured speeds on seven different toll highway segments and found that between 91 and 98 percent of drivers exceeded posted speed limits by rates ranging from 11 to 15 miles per hour during off-peak hours. As I stated in my veto of Senate Bill 930, which increases the speed limit for large trucks on interstate highways, studies show that increased traffic speeds lengthen vehicle stopping distances, produce more violent collisions, and ultimately, increase the loss of human life.

As with Senate Bill 930, the convenience of increased speeds for drivers on Illinois tollways does not outweigh the safety risks to children, families, and our dedicated public servants. 

Accordingly, I must return this bill without my approval. Therefore, pursuant to Article IV, Section 9 (b) of the Illinois Constitution of 1970, I hereby return Senate Bill 2015, entitled “AN ACT concerning government.”, with the foregoing objections, vetoed in its entirety.

Sincerely,

PAT QUINN

Governor