Statutes > Illinois Statutes > CHAPTER 625 VEHICLES > 625 ILCS 5/ Illinois Vehicle Code. > Article VI - Speed Restrictions

Article VI - Speed Restrictions


      (625 ILCS 5/Ch. 11 Art. VI heading)
ARTICLE VI. SPEED RESTRICTIONS

    (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 the counties of Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, and Will, 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‑1) Outside the counties of Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, and Will, 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 (1) 65 miles per hour on any interstate highway as defined by Section 1‑133.1 of this Code, and (2) 55 miles per hour for all other highways, roads, and streets.
    (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 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, 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; and
        2. 55 miles per hour on any other highway.
    (g) (Blank).
(Source: P.A. 96‑524, eff. 1‑1‑10.)

    (625 ILCS 5/11‑601.5)
    Sec. 11‑601.5. Driving 40 miles per hour or more in excess of applicable limit. A person who drives a vehicle upon any highway of this State at a speed that is 40 miles per hour or more in excess of the applicable maximum speed limit established under this Chapter or a local ordinance commits a Class A misdemeanor.
(Source: P.A. 91‑469, eff. 1‑1‑00.)

    (625 ILCS 5/11‑602)(from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 11‑602)
    Sec. 11‑602. Alteration of limits by Department. 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 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. 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. 96‑524, eff. 1‑1‑10.)

    (625 ILCS 5/11‑603) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 11‑603)
    Sec. 11‑603. Alteration of limits by Toll Highway Authority. Whenever the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority determines, upon the basis of an engineering and traffic investigation concerning a toll highway under its jurisdiction, 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 conditions found to exist at any place or along any part or zone of such highway, the Authority shall determine and declare by regulation a reasonable and safe absolute maximum speed limit at such place or along such part or zone, not exceeding 65 miles per hour. A limit so determined and declared becomes effective, and suspends the application of the limit prescribed in Section 11‑601 of this Chapter, when (a) the Department concurs in writing with the Authority's regulation, and (b) appropriate signs giving notice of the limit are erected at such 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.
(Source: P.A. 89‑444, eff. 1‑25‑96.)

    (625 ILCS 5/11‑604)(from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 11‑604)
    Sec. 11‑604. Alteration of limits by local authorities.
    (a) Subject to the limitations set forth in this Section, the county board of a county may establish absolute maximum speed limits on all county highways, township roads and district roads as defined in the Illinois Highway Code, except those under the jurisdiction of the Department or of the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority, as described in Sections 11‑602 and 11‑603 of this Chapter; and any park district, city, village, or incorporated town may establish absolute maximum speed limits on all streets which are within its corporate limits and which are not under the jurisdiction of the Department or of such Authority, and for which the county or a highway commissioner of such county does not have maintenance responsibility.
    (b) Whenever any such park district, city, village, or incorporated town determines, upon the basis of an engineering or traffic investigation concerning a highway or street on which it is authorized by this Section to establish speed limits, 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 place or along any part or zone of such highway or street, the local authority or park district shall determine and declare by ordinance a reasonable and safe absolute maximum speed limit at such place or along such part or zone, which:
        (1) Decreases the limit within an urban district,
     but not to less than 20 miles per hour; or
        (2) Increases the limit within an urban district,
     but not to more than 55 miles per hour; or
        (3) Decreases the limit outside of an urban
     district, but not to less than 35 miles per hour, except as otherwise provided in subparagraph 4 of this paragraph; or
        (4) Decreases the limit within a residence district,
     but not to less than 25 miles per hour, except as otherwise provided in subparagraph 1 of this paragraph.
    The park district, city, village, or incorporated town may make such limit applicable at all times or only during certain specified times. Not more than 6 such alterations shall be made per mile along a highway or street; and the difference in limit between adjacent altered speed zones shall not be more than 10 miles per hour.
    A limit so determined and declared by a park district, city, village, or incorporated town becomes effective, and suspends the application of the limit prescribed in Section 11‑601 of this Chapter, when appropriate signs giving notice of the limit are erected at the proper place or along the proper part or zone of the highway or street. 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 of this Section 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.
    (c) A county engineer or superintendent of highways may submit to the Department for approval, a county policy for establishing altered speed zones on township and county highways based upon engineering and traffic investigations.
    (d) Whenever the county board of a county determines that a maximum speed limit is greater or less than is reasonable or safe with respect to the conditions found to exist at any place or along any part or zone of the highway or road, the county board shall determine and declare by ordinance a reasonable and safe absolute maximum speed limit at that place or along that part or zone. However, the maximum speed limit shall not exceed 55 miles per hour. Upon receipt of an engineering study for the part or zone of highway in question from the county engineer, and notwithstanding any other provision of law, the county board of a county may determine and declare by ordinance a reduction in the maximum speed limit at any place or along any part or zone of a county highway whenever the county board, in its sole discretion, determines that the reduction in the maximum speed limit is reasonable and safe. The county board may post signs designating the new speed limit. The limit becomes effective, and suspends the application of the limit prescribed in Section 11‑601 of this Chapter, when appropriate signs giving notice of the limit are erected at the proper place or along the proper part of the 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 of this Section, 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. 95‑574, eff. 6‑1‑08; 95‑788, eff. 8‑7‑08.)

    (625 ILCS 5/11‑605)(from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 11‑605)
    Sec. 11‑605. Special speed limit while passing schools.
    (a) For the purpose of this Section, "school" means the following entities:
        (1) A public or private primary or secondary school.
        (2) A primary or secondary school operated by a
     religious institution.
        (3) A public, private, or religious nursery school.
    On a school day when school children are present and so close thereto that a potential hazard exists because of the close proximity of the motorized traffic, no person shall drive a motor vehicle at a speed in excess of 20 miles per hour while passing a school zone or while traveling on a roadway on public school property or upon any public thoroughfare where children pass going to and from school.
    For the purpose of this Section a school day shall begin at seven ante meridian and shall conclude at four post meridian.
    This Section shall not be applicable unless appropriate signs are posted upon streets and highways under their respective jurisdiction and maintained by the Department, township, county, park district, city, village or incorporated town wherein the school zone is located. With regard to the special speed limit while passing schools, such signs shall give proper due warning that a school zone is being approached and shall indicate the school zone and the maximum speed limit in effect during school days when school children are present.
    (b) (Blank).
    (c) Nothing in this Chapter shall prohibit the use of electronic speed‑detecting devices within 500 feet of signs within a special school speed zone indicating such zone, as defined in this Section, 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.
    (d) (Blank).
    (e) A first violation of this Section is a petty offense with a minimum fine of $150. A second or subsequent violation of this Section is a petty offense with a minimum fine of $300.
    (f) When a fine for a violation of subsection (a) is $150 or greater, the person who violates subsection (a) shall be charged an additional $50 to be paid to the unit school district where the violation occurred for school safety purposes. If the violation occurred in a dual school district, $25 of the surcharge shall be paid to the elementary school district for school safety purposes and $25 of the surcharge shall be paid to the high school district for school safety purposes. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the entire $50 surcharge shall be paid to the appropriate school district or districts.
    For purposes of this subsection (f), "school safety purposes" includes the costs associated with school zone safety education, the Safe Routes to School Program under Section 2705‑317 of the Department of Transportation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois, safety programs within the School Safety and Educational Improvement Block Grant Program under Section 2‑3.51.5 of the School Code, and the purchase, installation, and maintenance of caution lights which are mounted on school speed zone signs.
    (g) (Blank).
    (h) (Blank).
(Source: P.A. 96‑52, eff. 7‑23‑09.)

    (625 ILCS 5/11‑605.1)
    Sec. 11‑605.1. Special limit while traveling through a highway construction or maintenance speed zone.
    (a) A person may not operate a motor vehicle in a construction or maintenance speed zone at a speed in excess of the posted speed limit.
    (b) Nothing in this Chapter prohibits the use of electronic speed‑detecting devices within 500 feet of signs within a construction or maintenance speed zone indicating the zone, as defined in this Section, nor shall evidence obtained by use of those devices be inadmissible in any prosecution for speeding, provided the use of the device shall apply only to the enforcement of the speed limit in the construction or maintenance speed zone.
    (c) As used in this Section, a "construction or maintenance speed zone" is an area in which the Department, Toll Highway Authority, or local agency has determined that the preexisting established speed limit through a highway construction or maintenance project is greater than is reasonable or safe with respect to the conditions expected to exist in the construction or maintenance speed zone and has posted a lower speed limit with a highway construction or maintenance speed zone special speed limit sign.
    Highway construction or maintenance speed zone special speed limit signs shall be of a design approved by the Department. The signs must give proper due warning that a construction or maintenance speed zone is being approached and must indicate the maximum speed limit in effect. The signs also must state the amount of the minimum fine for a violation.
    (d) 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 $750.
    (e) If a fine for a violation of this Section is $250 or
     greater, the person who violated this Section shall be charged an additional $125, which shall be deposited into the Transportation Safety Highway Hire‑back Fund in the State treasury, unless (i) the violation occurred on a highway other than an interstate highway and (ii) a county police officer wrote the ticket for the violation, in which case the $125 shall be deposited into that county's Transportation Safety Highway Hire‑back Fund. In the case of a second or subsequent violation of this Section, if the fine is $750 or greater, the person who violated this Section shall be charged an additional $250, which shall be deposited into the Transportation Safety Highway Hire‑back Fund in the State treasury, unless (i) the violation occurred on a highway other than an interstate highway and (ii) a county police officer wrote the ticket for the violation, in which case the $250 shall be deposited into that county's Transportation Safety Highway Hire‑back Fund.
    (e‑5) The Department of State Police and the local county
     police department have concurrent jurisdiction over any violation of this Section that occurs on an interstate highway.
    (f) The Transportation Safety Highway Hire‑back Fund, which was created by Public Act 92‑619, shall continue to be a special fund in the State treasury. Subject to appropriation by the General Assembly and approval by the Secretary, the Secretary of Transportation shall use all moneys in the Transportation Safety Highway Hire‑back Fund to hire off‑duty Department of State Police officers to monitor construction or maintenance zones.
    (f‑5) Each county shall create a Transportation Safety Highway Hire‑back Fund. The county shall use all moneys in its Transportation Safety Highway Hire‑back Fund to hire off‑duty county police officers to monitor construction or maintenance zones in that county on highways other than interstate highways.
    (g) For a second or subsequent violation of this Section within 2 years of the date of the previous violation, the Secretary of State shall suspend the driver's license of the violator for a period of 90 days.
(Source: P.A. 93‑955, eff. 8‑19‑04; 94‑814, eff. 1‑1‑07.)

    (625 ILCS 5/11‑605.2)
    Sec. 11‑605.2. Delegation of authority to set a special speed limit while traveling through highway construction or maintenance zones.
    (a) A local agency may delegate to its superintendent of highways the authority to set and post a reduced speed limit for a construction or maintenance zone, as defined in Section 11‑605.1, under subsection (c) of that Section.
    (b) If a superintendent of highways sets a reduced speed limit for a construction or maintenance zone in accordance with this Section, the local agency must maintain a record that indicates:
        (1) the location of the construction or maintenance
    zone;
        (2) the reduced speed limit set and posted for the
    construction or maintenance zone; and
        (3) the dates during which the reduced speed limit
    was in effect.
(Source: P.A. 96‑1000, eff. 7‑2‑10.)

    (625 ILCS 5/11‑605.3)
    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 are used for recreational purposes, 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 that portion of any
     street or intersection under the control of a local unit of government, adjacent to a park zone, where the local unit of government has, by ordinance or resolution, designated and approved the street or intersection as a park zone street. If, before the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 94th General Assembly, a street already had 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, a person may not drive a motor vehicle at a speed in excess of 20 miles per hour or any lower posted speed while traveling on a park zone street that has been designated for the posted reduced speed.
    (c) On any day when children are present and within 50 feet of motorized traffic, any driver traveling on a park zone street who fails to come to a complete stop at a stop sign or red light, including a driver who fails to come to a complete stop at a red light before turning right onto a park zone street, is in violation of this Section.
    (d) This Section does not apply unless appropriate signs are posted upon park zone streets 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.
    (e) 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.
    (f) When a fine for a violation of this Section is imposed, the person who violates this Section shall be charged an additional $50, to be paid to the park district for safety purposes.
    (g) 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.
(Source: P.A. 94‑808, eff. 5‑26‑06.)

    (625 ILCS 5/11‑606) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 11‑606)
    Sec. 11‑606. Minimum speed regulation. (a) No person shall drive a motor vehicle at such a slow speed as to impede or block the normal and reasonable movement of traffic except when reduced speed is necessary for safe operation of his vehicle or in compliance with law.
    (b) Whenever the Department, The Illinois State Toll Highway Authority, or a local authority described in Section 11‑604 of this Chapter determines, upon the basis of an engineering and traffic investigation concerning a highway or street under its jurisdiction that slow vehicle speeds along any part or zone of such highway or street consistently impede the normal and reasonable movement of traffic, the Department, the Toll Highway Authority, or local authority (as appropriate) may determine and declare by proper regulation or ordinance a minimum speed limit below which no person shall drive except when necessary for safe operation of his vehicle or in compliance with law. A limit so determined and declared becomes effective when appropriate signs giving notice of the limit are erected along such part or zone of the highway or street.
(Source: P.A. 81‑840.)

    (625 ILCS 5/11‑608) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 11‑608)
    Sec. 11‑608. Special speed limitation on elevated structures. (a) No person shall drive a vehicle over any bridge or other elevated structure constituting a part of a highway at a speed which is greater than the maximum speed which can be maintained with safety to such bridge or structure, when such structure is sign posted as provided in this Section.
    (b) The Department upon request from any local authority shall, or upon its own initiative may, conduct an investigation of any bridge or other elevated structure constituting a part of a highway, and if it shall thereupon find that such structure cannot with safety to itself withstand vehicles traveling at the speed otherwise permissible under this Chapter, the Department shall determine and declare the maximum speed of vehicles which such structure can safely withstand, and shall cause or permit suitable signs stating such maximum speed to be erected and maintained before each end of such structure.
    (c) Upon the trial of any person charged with a violation of this Section proof of the determination of the maximum speed by the Department and the existence of such signs is conclusive evidence of the maximum speed which can be maintained with safety to such bridge or structure.
(Source: P.A. 76‑1586.)

    (625 ILCS 5/11‑610) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 11‑610)
    Sec. 11‑610. Charging Violations and Rule in Civil Actions. (a) In every charge of violation of any speed regulation in this article the complaint, and also the summons or notice to appear, shall specify the speed at which the defendant is alleged to have driven and the maximum speed applicable within the district or at the location.
    (b) The provision of this article declaring maximum speed limitations shall not be construed to relieve the plaintiff in any action from the burden of proving negligence on the part of the defendant as the proximate cause of an accident.
(Source: P.A. 79‑1069.)

    (625 ILCS 5/11‑611) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 11‑611)
    Sec. 11‑611. No person shall drive or operate any motor vehicle on any street or highway in this State where the minimum allowable speed on that street or highway, as posted, is greater than the maximum attainable operating speed of the vehicle. Maximum attainable operating speed shall be determined by the manufacturer of the vehicle and clearly published in the manual of specifications and operation, or it shall be determined by applicable rule and regulation promulgated by the Secretary of State.
(Source: P.A. 79‑700.)

    (625 ILCS 5/11‑612)
    Sec. 11‑612. Certain systems to record vehicle speeds prohibited. Except as authorized in the Automated Traffic Control Systems in Highway Construction or Maintenance Zones Act, no photographic, video, or other imaging system may be used in this State to record vehicle speeds for the purpose of enforcing any law or ordinance regarding a maximum or minimum speed limit unless a law enforcement officer is present at the scene and witnesses the event. No State or local governmental entity, including a home rule county or municipality, may use such a system in a way that is prohibited by this Section. The regulation of the use of such systems is an exclusive power and function of the State. This Section is a denial and limitation of home rule powers and functions under subsection (h) of Section 6 of Article VII of the Illinois Constitution.
(Source: P.A. 94‑771, eff. 1‑1‑07; 94‑795, eff. 5‑22‑06; 94‑814, eff. 1‑1‑07.)