A few months after signing a bill that increased the speed limit from 65 mph to 70 mph on rural interstate highways, Illinois Governor Pat Quinn has vetoed a separate measure that would have done the same for tollways in the state.

Joe Raedle, Getty Images
No, not that fast.
Joe Raedle, Getty Images
No, not that fast.
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In his veto message, the Chicago Tribune reports that Quinn has an explanation for lawmakers:

“Recent evidence shows that drivers already travel at excessive speeds on Illinois toll highways."

The governor said a tollway study of drivers on Interstate 94 in Lake County last year found 71 percent of them exceeded the posted limit by 15 mph or more. Another tollway study found between 91 percent and 98 percent of drivers on seven different tollway segments exceeded the speed limit from 11 mph to 15 mph during off-peak hours, he added.

“The convenience of increased speeds for drivers on Illinois tollways does not outweigh the safety risks to children, families and our dedicated public servants,” Quinn said.

 

This bill passed through the House and Senate with overwhelming majorities earlier this year. The sponsor, State Sen. Jim Oberweis, says there could be a vote to override the Governor's veto.

You can thank Jim Oberweis for the higher speed limits on I-39 and I-90 north of Rockford. He shepherded that bill through the House and Senate earlier last year. I appreciate the 70 mph limit when traveling back home to visit my parents. And, anecdotally, it seems that traffic on 39 and 88 flows better and more safely with more cars moving at a similar speed.

When Quinn signed that measure he said, "This limited 5 miles-per-hour increase will bring Illinois' rural interstate speed limits in line with our neighbors' and the majority of states across America, while preventing an increase in excessive speeding." That, apparently, does not apply to our tollways.

 

 

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