Will County legislators’ bill to expand school zones signed into law

Gov. JB Pritzker signed into law a bill sponsored by two Will County legislators which expands school zone speed times.

State Sen. Meg Loughran Cappel, D-Shorewood, and state Rep. Mark Batinick, R-Plainfield, both backed the bill in the Illinois Legislature.

Under the previous rules, children were assumed to be present at school between the hours of 7 a.m. and 4 p.m., according to a news release. However, Plainfield-area high schools begin classes at 7:05 a.m. and students arrive earlier than school zone rules are active because they’re attending school programs, tutoring or other extracurricular activities.

“Prioritizing the safety and wellbeing of our students is a choice,” Loughran Cappel said in a statement. “Reckless driving must be discouraged, especially in school zones.”

Batinick previously said that the Plainfield Police Department brought the problem to his attention, and law enforcement recommended extending the school speed zone hours.

The new law changes school zone speed limits on school days to begin at 6:30 a.m. rather than 7 a.m., according to the news release.

Violation of the speed zone limits still will result in a fine or possible incarceration, depending on the severity of the speed violation.

“It’s great to see this commonsense safety measure for Illinois students signed into law,” Batinick said in a statement. “HB 343 will create a safer environment for our students starting their school days earlier in the morning and I’m glad to see it implemented across Illinois.”

The law went into effect immediately.