Illinois' top speed limit will go up on many highways beginning in January. Governor Pat Quinn has signed a new law increasing the speed limit from 65 to 70 m.p.h.
Quinn bucked the advice of his Department of Transportation, which opposed the legislation.
IDOT says a higher speed limit will raise average speeds leading to more crashes and fatalities.
But the measure's sponsor, Rep. Jerry Costello (D_Smithton) says more accidents happen because of vehicles traveling at different speeds ... not because of higher speeds.
COSTELLO "If cars are driving at 70 miles-an-hour on average, someone who's doing 60 has a higher propensity of being in an accident than someone who's doing 80. So actually the slower-moving traffic causes most of the accidents."
In a press release .. the Governor encouraged drivers to respect the law and use common sense.
Quinn says the 70 mile-an-hour speed limit brings Illinois in line with its neighbors in Indiana, Iowa, Michigan and Missouri.
The law makes an exception for Cook County and the seven collar counties -- which can choose to opt out and keep lower speed limits in congested areas.
It's the latest of several new driving laws that will take effect next year ... including a ban on hand-held phones behind the wheel.
