Chicago Criminal Lawyer Blog
In the past few years, the Illinois Legislature has enacted laws which make Excessive Speeding a much more serious matter than most people think. Most people are conditioned to believe that if they are pulled over for speeding they will receive a simple speeding ticket and the most that could happen to them is that they have to pay a steep fine and take a Traffic School class. The recent changes to the speeding laws have made certain Excessive Speeding tickets an actual crime. From all of the calls that I get from prospective clients, this area of the criminal law may be one of the most misunderstood subjects.
If you are caught speeding 26 to 34 miles per hour over the posted speed limit, you will be charged with a Class B Misdemeanor. A Class B Misdemeanor for speeding 26 to 34 miles per hour over the posted speed limit carries a maximum punishment of 180 days in County Jail and a maximum fine of up to $1,500. If you are caught speeding 35 miles per hour, or over, the posted speed limit, you will be charged with a Class A Misdemeanor. A Class A Misdemeanor for speeding 35 miles per hour over the posted speed limit carries a maximum punishment of up to one year in County Jail and a maximum fine of up to $2,500. So, if you are pulled over for speeding 26 miles per hour, and over, the posted speed limit, you will not receive a simple speeding ticket. You will be arrested and charged with a crime which carries a potential jail sentence. In addition to any possible criminal penalties, a conviction for speeding 26 miles per hour over the posted speed limit may result in the suspension of your driver’s license by the Illinois Secretary of State. A conviction for Excessive Speeding will remain permanently on your driving record with the Secretary and will appear as a criminal conviction in a routine background search. Not only will a prospective employer find out that you have been convicted of a crime, but your insurance company may use this conviction to drop you from their Auto Insurance plan or increase your insurance premiums.
Yesterday, the Illinois Department of Transportation greeted local motorists with some good news which may help reduce the number of Excessive Speeding cases that could lead to a criminal conviction and a potential jail sentence. Up until now, the speed limit on I-90 west of Elgin was 70 miles per hour all the way to Wisconsin. Yesterday, the Illinois Department of Transportation announced that the speed limit from Randall Road in Elgin to Mount Prospect Road has been increased to 70 miles per hour for all passenger cars. The new speed limit matches the 70 mile per hour speed limit from Elgin to Wisconsin. The previous speed limit from Randall Road in Elgin to Mount Prospect Road was 55 miles per hour.
The speed limit from Mount Prospect Road to the Kennedy Expressway has been increased to 60 miles per hour for all passenger vehicles. This represents a increase from 55 miles per hour. The speed limit for commercial trucks has not been changed. The speed limit for commercial trucks is limited to 60 miles per hour throughout the six County Chicago metropolitan area. The speed limit for buses is limited to 65 miles per hour.
The Illinois Department of Transportation and the Tollway Board of Directors decided to increase the speed limits after a year-long study determined that the speed limit increases could be done safely. Critics of this move believe that the increase in speed could lead to an increase in traffic accidents and an increase in the severity of traffic crashes. From a criminal standpoint, there is no doubt that the increase in speed limits will lead to fewer motorist facing the possibility of being charged with a crime for Excessive Speeding.
James Dimeas is a nationally-recognized, award-winning, traffic lawyer, with extensive experience with Excessive and Aggravated Speeding cases. James Dimeas has been handling Excessive and Aggravated Speeding cases throughout Chicago, Cook County, DuPage County, Kane County, and Lake County, for over-27 years. Attorney and Practice Magazine gave James Dimeas the “Top 10 Criminal Defense Attorney Award for Illinois.” The National Academy of Criminal Defense Attorneys gave James Dimeas the “Top 10 Attorney Award for the State of Illinois”. Recently, the American Society of Legal Advocates named James Dimeas a “Top 100 Criminal Defense Lawyer In the State of Illinois For the Year 2018.” James Dimeas was named a “Best Criminal Defense Lawyer in Chicago” by Expertise, and a “Best DUI Attorney.” The American Institute of Criminal Law Attorneys named James Dimeas a “10 Best Attorney for Client Satisfaction.” The National Trial Lawyers named James Dimeas a “Top 100 Criminal Defense Lawyer.” AVVO rates James Dimeas as “Superb”, the highest rating possible for any Excessive and Aggravated Speeding attorney in the United States.
If you are charged with Excessive and Aggravated Speeding, you can contact James Dimeas anytime for a free and confidential consultation. You can speak to James Dimeas personally by calling him at 847-807-7405.
Additional Resources:
Tollway Raises Speed Limit on I-90 Jane Addams, by Sarah Jindra, WGNTV.com, March 28, 2018.
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