SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Mike Porfirio advanced two pieces of legislation that would create safer roadways for drivers, pedestrians and students on buses.
“We need to prioritize legislation that empowers our communities to make road safety changes where they need it most urgently,” said Porfirio (D-Lyons Township). “We must also be fair to drivers by ensuring that any revenue collected through traffic infractions are reinvested into initiatives that keep our community safe.”
House Bill 5081 would give state and local authorities more structured flexibility to set lower speed limits based on safety principles in certain instances. The bill introduces the concept of “target speed” which helps to determine appropriate speed limits based on roadway context and safety. This allows for municipalities to lower speed limits in certain areas before a traffic study is completed.
The legislation gives clear standards for transparency that must be upheld by municipalities. The bill would require any revenue from speed cameras to be spent on public safety, infrastructure and community programs.
Current law states that the speed limit in an urban district is 30 miles per hour for all vehicles unless another speed restriction is established. This measure would give the opportunity for speed limit reductions without a full engineering study if certain criteria are met.
Porfirio also passed House Bill 3175, which would create stronger, more consistent enforcement when drivers illegally pass school buses while they are stopped at a bus stop. The bill would increase penalties for drivers who commit illegal passes while also supporting the implementation of district-wide use of safety technology to protect students on buses in the district. To ensure local governments can decide what fits best for their community, counties could decide whether to participate and local school boards would need to provide additional approval for the program.
“We cannot wait for accidents to happen to our students before we create safety precautions,” said Porfirio. “This bill is a balanced, student-first initiative that will support law enforcement with clear tools on enforcement, keeping drivers accountable and kids safe.”
House Bill 5081 and House Bill 3175 passed the Senate.
