Senate Bill 2356 was signed into law in August, increasing the maximum speed limit on 87 percent of Illinois interstate highways and 98 percent of rural interstates under the Illinois Department of Transportation’s jurisdiction to 70 mph, effective Jan. 1, 2014.
The bill, which will also increase approximately 28 percent of the Illinois Tollway’s 286-mile system to 70 mph, allowed Madison and St. Clair counties to opt-out of the increase. Drivers in a hurry, or wanting their speedy habits sanctioned, will be happy to know that much of both counties now have 70 mph as the legal limit.
In Madison County, the speed limit increased to 70 mph at the confluence of interstates 270, 70 and 55, Joe Monroe, of IDOT, said. Where Interstate 270 east ends, and Interstate 70 eastbound breaks free of Interstate 55, the speed limit will increase to 70 mph on Interstate 70. The same location marks the split of interstates 55 and 70. From that point, Interstate 55 north now has a speed limit of 70 mph.
St. Clair county drivers traveling eastward can apply more pressure to the gas pedal beginning at the Scott Air Force Base exit, Monroe said.
The speed limit has increased on much of Illinois’ interstate system, but there is a very good chance that the posted speed limit signs have not, Paris Ervin, of IDOT said. Sign changes were to take place between Jan. 2 and 17, but snow cleanup in many parts of the state have taken precedent over sign updates.
“IDOT crews will begin to remove the old 65 mph signs and install the new 70 mph signs in the designated areas early January to comply with the new law, but it’s very important that motorists obey the posted speed limits,” Illinois Transportation Secretary Ann L. Schneider said.
IDOT has made approximately 900 new 70 mph signs with recycled materials at IDOT’s Central Sign Shop in Springfield. The total fabrication and installation cost for the 70 mph speed limit signs is estimated at $200,000, officials said.
The new law includes an additional safety provision, which lowers the limit by five mph at which drivers may be charged by law enforcement with excessive speeding. Currently, the threshold for penalties is 31 mph over the limit. The new law lowers that threshold to 26 mph over the limit.
