Illinois Governor: No Speed Increase on Interstates

Gov. Pat Quinn has vetoed legislation aimed at increasing the speed limit from 65 to 70 miles per hour on interstate highways around Illinois.

The Legislation was sponsored by Republican state Sen. Jim Oberweis. It follows the passage of law last year that increased the speed limit to 70 miles per hour on rural interstates.

Oberweis has said the law was about recognizing what speeds were already being driven.

But Quinn cited studies which show “increased speeds lengthen stopping distance” and “produce more violent collisions.”

The governor’s action comes on the heels of another veto of a bill also sponsored by Oberweis that would have let large trucks go faster on interstate highways in the Chicago area.

The bills are SB2015 and SB930.