HB0980 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB096 07419 AJT 17506 b

96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2009 and 2010
HB0980

Introduced 2/10/2009, by Rep. Jil Tracy

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

625 ILCS 5/11-601	from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 11-601
625 ILCS 5/11-602	from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 11-602

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Defines "populated area" as all territory inside the boundaries and all territory that is 5 miles outside the boundaries, in any direction, of a city, village, or incorporated town with a population of 50,000 or more, and defines "non-populated area" means all territory not included in a populated area. Provides that, in a non-populated area, unless some other speed restriction has been established under the Code, the maximum speed limit outside an urban district for any vehicle weighing over 8,000 pounds is 65 miles per hour (instead of 55 mph). Provides that the maximum speed limit for busses outside an urban area is 55 mph in a populated area and 65 mph in a non-populated area (instead of various speed restrictions from 55-65 mph based on whether the highway was under the jurisdiction of the Illinois Toll Authority). Provides that language providing that the Department of Transportation may not alter the speed limits on an access-controlled highway to exceed 55 miles per hour for vehicles of the second division weighing 8,001 pounds or more applies only in a populated area. Effective January 1, 2010.

FISCAL NOTE ACT MAY APPLY

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 11-601 and 11-602 as follows:

(625 ILCS 5/11-601) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 11-601)

Sec. 11-601. General speed restrictions.

(a) No vehicle may be driven upon any highway of this State at a speed which is greater than is reasonable and proper with regard to traffic conditions and the use of the highway, or endangers the safety of any person or property. The fact that the speed of a vehicle does not exceed the applicable maximum speed limit does not relieve the driver from the duty to decrease speed when approaching and crossing an intersection, approaching and going around a curve, when approaching a hill crest, when traveling upon any narrow or winding roadway, or when special hazard exists with respect to pedestrians or other traffic or by reason of weather or highway conditions. Speed must be decreased as may be necessary to avoid colliding with any person or vehicle on or entering the highway in compliance with legal requirements and the duty of all persons to use due care.

(b) No person may drive a vehicle upon any highway of this State at a speed which is greater than the applicable statutory maximum speed limit established by paragraphs (c), (d), (e), (f) or (g) of this Section, by Section 11-605 or by a regulation or ordinance made under this Chapter.

(c) Unless some other speed restriction is established under this Chapter, the maximum speed limit in an urban district for all vehicles is:

1. 30 miles per hour; and

2. 15 miles per hour in an alley.

(d) Unless some other speed restriction is established under this Chapter, the maximum speed limit outside an urban district for any vehicle of the first division or a second division vehicle designed or used for the carrying of a gross weight of 8,000 pounds or less (including the weight of the vehicle and maximum load) is (1) 65 miles per hour (i) for all highways under the jurisdiction of the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority and (ii) for all or part of highways that are designated by the Department, have at least 4 lanes of traffic, and have a separation between the roadways moving in opposite directions and (2) 55 miles per hour for all other highways, roads, and streets.

(e) In a populated area, unless Unless some lesser speed restriction is established under this Chapter, the maximum speed limit outside an urban district for a second division vehicle designed or used for the carrying of a gross weight of 8,001 pounds or more (including the weight of the vehicle and maximum load) is 55 miles per hour.

(e-5) In a non-populated area, unless some lesser speed restriction is established under this Chapter, the maximum speed limit outside an urban district for a second division vehicle designed or used for the carrying of a gross weight of 8,001 pounds or more (including the weight of the vehicle and maximum load) is 65 miles per hour.

(f) Unless some other speed restriction is established under this Chapter, the maximum speed limit outside an urban district for a bus is:

1. 65 miles per hour in a non-populated area upon any highway which has at least 4 lanes of traffic and of which the roadways for traffic moving in opposite directions are separated by a strip of ground which is not surfaced or suitable for vehicular traffic, and except that the maximum speed limit for a bus on all other highways, roads, or streets not under the jurisdiction of the Department or the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority is 55 miles per hour. ; and

2. (Blank). 60 miles per hour on any other highway, except that the maximum speed limit for a bus on all highways, roads, or streets not under the jurisdiction of the Department or the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority is 55 miles per hour.

(g) Unless some other speed restriction is established under this Chapter, the maximum speed limit outside an urban district for a house car, camper, private living coach, vehicles licensed as recreational vehicles, and any vehicle towing any other vehicle is 55 miles per hour or the posted speed limit, whichever is less.

(h) As used in this Section:

"Populated area" means all territory inside the boundaries and all territory that is 5 miles outside the boundaries, in any direction, of a city, village, or incorporated town with a population of 50,000 or more.

"Non-populated area" means all territory not included in a populated area, as defined by this Section.

(Source: P.A. 89-444, eff. 1-25-96; 89-551, eff. 1-1-97.)

(625 ILCS 5/11-602) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 11-602)

Sec. 11-602. Alteration of limits by Department.

(a) Whenever the Department determines, upon the basis of an engineering and traffic investigation concerning any highway for which the Department has maintenance responsibility, that a maximum speed limit prescribed in Section 11-601 of this Chapter is greater or less than is reasonable or safe with respect to the conditions found to exist at any intersection or other place on such highway or along any part or zone thereof, the Department shall determine and declare a reasonable and safe absolute maximum speed limit applicable to such intersection or place, or along such part or zone. However, such limit shall not:

(1) in a populated area, as defined by subsection (h) of Section 11-601 of this Code, exceed 65 miles per hour, or 55 miles per hour for a second division vehicle designed or used for the carrying of a gross weight of 8,001 pounds or more (including the weight of the vehicle and maximum load), on a highway or street which is especially designed for through traffic and to, from, or over which owners of or persons having an interest in abutting property or other persons have no right or easement, or only a limited right or easement, of access, crossing, light, air, or view, and shall not exceed 55 miles per hour on any other highway; or .

(2) in a non-populated area, as defined by subsection (h) of Section 11-601 of this Code, exceed 65 miles per hour on a highway or street which is especially designed for through traffic and to, from, or over which owners of or persons having an interest in abutting property or other persons have no right or easement, or only a limited right or easement, of access, crossing, light, air, or view, and shall not exceed 55 miles per hour on any other highway.

(b) Where a highway under the Department's jurisdiction is contiguous to school property, the Department may, at the school district's request, set a reduced maximum speed limit for student safety purposes in the portion of the highway that faces the school property and in the portions of the highway that extend one-quarter mile in each direction from the opposite ends of the school property. A limit determined and declared as provided in this Section becomes effective, and suspends the applicability of the limit prescribed in Section 11-601 of this Chapter, when appropriate signs giving notice of the limit are erected at such intersection or other place, or along such part or zone of the highway. Electronic speed-detecting devices shall not be used within 500 feet beyond any such sign in the direction of travel; if so used in violation hereof, evidence obtained thereby shall be inadmissible in any prosecution for speeding. However, nothing in this Section prohibits the use of such electronic speed-detecting devices within 500 feet of a sign within a special school speed zone indicating such zone, conforming to the requirements of Section 11-605 of this Act, 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.

(Source: P.A. 93-624, eff. 12-19-03.)

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect January 1, 2010.