70 MPH Speed Limit in Illinois: What Do You Think?

If driving 65 mph on Illinois’ highways just isn’t fast enough for you, don’t worry. The maximum speed limit in the state may soon be increased.

State Sen. Jim Oberweis (R-Sugar Grove) is sponsoring a bill that already has made its way through the state Senate that would increase the speed limit to 70 mph on state highways, according to the Chicago Tribune. 

The measure is a "business friendly" bill that would allow companies to move commerce in a faster way, Oberweis said. 

“This is a bipartisan, good-government bill, which would allow the maximum speed limit on tollways and interstate highways to increase to 70 mph to bring Illinois in line with most of the rest of the country,” Oberweis said. “The interstates were designed for a higher rate of speed, and currently, there are 34 states with speed limits of 70 mph or higher. All of Illinois’ neighboring states, except Wisconsin, have speed limits of 70 mph. Fifteen states have speed limits of 75 mph and one state has a speed limit of 85 mph.”

The bill allows Cook County, suburban collar counties, Madison County and St. Clair County to opt out of the higher speed, according to a release from Oberweis’ office. 

The bill also calls for stricter penalties for those speeding in excess of 70 mph.

Currently, its considered a Claass B misdemeanor to speed between 30 to 40 mph over the speed limit but that would change to 26 to 35 mph under the new law, according to Oberweis’ office. Its a Class A misdemeanor to speed in excess of 40 mph and that would be changed to 35 mph under the new law. 

The bill recently passed the Senate by a vote of 41-6 Tuesday, and has been moved to the House for a vote, according to the Chicago Tribune. 

What do you think? Is this a good idea, or is 65 mph plenty fast? 

Tell us in the comments section.