HB5520 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB098 17836 MLW 52960 b

98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2013 and 2014
HB5520

Introduced , by Rep. Robert W. Pritchard

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

625 ILCS 5/11-605

from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 11-605

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides a definition of school zone for the purpose of establishing speed limits within school zones. Provides that a school zone shall, at a minimum, encompass any public right-of-way situated immediately adjacent to school property, including any stretch of highway within 100 feet of an entrance to school property. Provides that the Department of Transportation may adopt a more expansive definition of school zone by rule.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning transportation.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The Illinois Vehicle Code is amended by changing Section 11-605 as follows:

(625 ILCS 5/11-605) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 11-605)

Sec. 11-605. Special speed limit while passing schools.

(a) For the purpose of this Section, "school" means the following entities:

(1) A public or private primary or secondary school.

(2) A primary or secondary school operated by a religious institution.

(3) A public, private, or religious nursery school.

"School zone" means any public right-of-way situated immediately adjacent to school property, including but not limited to any stretch of highway within 100 feet of an entrance to school property. The Department may adopt a definition by rule that expands upon this definition, but may not adopt a definition by rule less encompassing than this definition.

On a school day when school children are present and so close thereto that a potential hazard exists because of the close proximity of the motorized traffic, no person shall drive a motor vehicle at a speed in excess of 20 miles per hour while passing a school zone or while traveling on a roadway on public school property or upon any public thoroughfare where children pass going to and from school.

For the purpose of this Section a school day shall begin at seven ante meridian and shall conclude at four post meridian.

This Section shall not be applicable unless appropriate signs are posted upon streets and highways under their respective jurisdiction and maintained by the Department, township, county, park district, city, village or incorporated town wherein the school zone is located. With regard to the special speed limit while passing schools, such signs shall give proper due warning that a school zone is being approached and shall indicate the school zone and the maximum speed limit in effect during school days when school children are present.

(b) (Blank).

(c) Nothing in this Chapter shall prohibit the use of electronic speed-detecting devices within 500 feet of signs within a special school speed zone indicating such zone, as defined in this Section, nor shall evidence obtained thereby be inadmissible in any prosecution for speeding provided the use of such device shall apply only to the enforcement of the speed limit in such special school speed zone.

(d) (Blank).

(e) A first violation of this Section is a petty offense with a minimum fine of $150. A second or subsequent violation of this Section is a petty offense with a minimum fine of $300.

(f) When a fine for a violation of subsection (a) is $150 or greater, the person who violates subsection (a) shall be charged an additional $50 to be paid to the unit school district where the violation occurred for school safety purposes. If the violation occurred in a dual school district, $25 of the surcharge shall be paid to the elementary school district for school safety purposes and $25 of the surcharge shall be paid to the high school district for school safety purposes. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the entire $50 surcharge shall be paid to the appropriate school district or districts.

For purposes of this subsection (f), "school safety purposes" includes the costs associated with school zone safety education, the Safe Routes to School Program under Section 2705-317 of the Department of Transportation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois, safety programs within the School Safety and Educational Improvement Block Grant Program under Section 2-3.51.5 of the School Code, and the purchase, installation, and maintenance of caution lights which are mounted on school speed zone signs.

(g) (Blank).

(h) (Blank).

(Source: P.A. 96-52, eff. 7-23-09.)