Governor OKs increasing speed limit for trucks
By ADRIANA COLINDRES (adriana.colindres@sj-r.com)
THE STATE JOURNAL-REGISTER
Posted Aug 15, 2009 @ 12:01 AM
Last update Aug 15, 2009 @ 09:52 AM
A new law that Gov. Pat Quinn signed Friday will make it legal for trucks to travel along rural interstates at 65 mph, the same speed as other traffic.
Existing law caps the speed limit for trucks at 55 mph. The change will take effect Jan. 1.
For years, lawmakers have been pushing for the higher speed limit for trucks on rural interstates. Legislation reached Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s desk on three occasions, but he used his veto power each time to reject the idea. Lawmakers could not override his veto.
Supporters of the proposal thought it might stand a better chance once Quinn became governor, so they sent him House Bill 3956. Until Friday, Quinn hadn’t indicated what he thought of the higher speed limit.
Lawmakers and others who back the higher speed limit have said it would improve highway safety because all traffic would be moving at a consistent speed. The higher limit also would benefit the trucking industry because trucks could cover greater distances in a day, they said.
Opponents, however, have said safety would be compromised if trucks were allowed to follow a higher speed limit. They believe traffic accidents would be more frequent and more severe because larger, heavier semis can’t stop as quickly as smaller vehicles.
The new 65 mph speed limit for trucks will apply only on interstates in nonurban areas. It won’t apply to Cook County or the five surrounding collar counties, and it won’t be in effect on interstates with lower speed restrictions.
Illinois Truck Speed Limit Going To 65 MPH 
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