Batinick bill would extend hours for Illinois school zone speed limits

State Rep. Mark Batinick introduced a bill last week which would require school zone speed limits in Illinois to begin at an earlier time.

Batinick, R-Plainfield, said in a news release his bill, H.B. 343, was recommended “do pass” by the House Transportation: Vehicles & Safety Committee.

His legislation would move back the time a school day begins in the Illinois Vehicle Code from 7 a.m. up to 6:30 a.m.

Batinick explained the issue was brought to him by the Plainfield Police Department. The department recommended the change because some Plainfield schools start around the 7 a.m. hour, meaning some students begin arriving at school earlier than 7 a.m.

“Applying this across Illinois is commonsense school safety,” Batinick said in the release. “Moving this time earlier would create a safer environment for Illinois students with school start times before or around 7:00 a.m.”

The bill would apply to primary, secondary or nursery schools which are public, private or religious.

The updated defined school day in the Illinois Vehicle Code would begin at 6:30 a.m. and continue to end at 4 p.m.

Batinick’s bill has earned two co-sponsors, Reps. Tim Butler, R-Springfield, and Mike Murphy, R-Springfield.