On Jan. 1, motorists in Illinois with a need for excessive speed will soon risk stiffer punishment.
A new law takes effect on Saturday that addresses concerns about “excessive speeders.” Those concerns were raised when a Chicago Tribune report showed that Chicago-area courts have given a special probation to nearly two-thirds of speeders traveling at least 100 mph. The probation has allowed offenders to keep tickets off their driving records.
The new law makes it a Class B misdemeanor to speed 30 to 39 mph above the limit. Punishment could include six months in jail and a $1,500 fine. It also prohibits judges from issuing court supervision to anyone found guilty of driving at least 40 mph in excess of the speed limit. Exceeding the speed limit by 40 mph could result in a year in jail and a $2,500 fine.
Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White proposed the stricter punishment. He said drivers have no business driving more than 100 mph.
“Excessive speeders pose a greater risk to the public, and such reckless behavior does not merit court supervision,” White previously said in a statement.
There are few who disagree with Jesse White’s statements, but it is another example of government taking control of our lives. And, getting their paws on more of our money through increased fines.
Other Recent Laws
On 7/15/10-Gov. Pat Quinn signed a bill into law that is intended to reform oversight of red-light cameras throughout the state., independent verification of camera violations will be needed before citations are issued.
In the counties of DuPage, Kane, Lake, Madison, McHenry, St. Clair and Will violations must be reviewed and approved by law enforcement officers or retired officers in that county or municipality. Violations in the city of Chicago or Cook County must be reviewed by a law enforcement officer, retired officer of a “fully-trained reviewing technician.”
Municipalities or counties with red-light cameras must also post the locations of the devices on their websites. They are also forbidden from charging violators an additional fee for choosing to exercise their right to an administrative hearing to contest the ticket.
Another provision in SB935 gives drivers more flexibility when approaching the edge of an intersection. A complete stop still will be required before making a right turn on red, but drivers won’t be ticketed solely for coming to a stop after the painted stop line, unless a pedestrian is nearby.
In addition, vehicle owners must be able to access video evidence of their offense on the Internet.
On 6/15/10-A bill died that would have let all drivers on many interstates go a little faster.The current 65 mph limit on rural stretches of interstate was signed into law by Gov. Pat Quinn last summer. Sponsored by Sen. Dale Risinger, R-Peoria, SB3668 called for raising the speed limit to 70 mph on rural interstate highways. Cook and the “collar” counties surrounding Chicago would have been exempt from the rule change.
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