Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn on Friday, Aug. 14, signed legislation that will allow the state to join 40 other states that have a uniform speed limit on rural interstates.
House Bill 3956, sponsored by Rep. David Reis (R-Olney) and Sen. John Sullivan (D-Rushville), creates a uniform 65 mph speed limit for both cars and trucks on rural interstates in Illinois outside of Cook, DuPage, Kane, McHenry, Lake and Will counties, where the speed limit will remain at 55 mph. Currently, Illinois law limits vehicles more than 8,000 pounds to 55 mph on rural interstate highways, while automobiles may travel at 65 mph.
The new uniform speed limit in Illinois goes into effect on Jan. 1, 2010, and it does not affect secondary roads and streets, which will retain a maximum speed limit of 55 mph or lower for all vehicles.
Similar legislation has been passed by the General Assembly three other times in the last seven years, but was vetoed each time by the previous administration.
Illinois will be joining 12 states that have a uniform 65 mph speed limit on their rural interstate highways. A total of 41 states will have a uniform speed limit on their rural interstates.
