CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) - People driving around Chicago will have to pay a little more attention to their speed, under a measure winning preliminary approval from a City Council committee Monday.
But, some aldermen say they want to pump the brakes on the move.
The proposed ordinance would lower the maximum speed limit on most Chicago streets to 25 mph. It would not apply to streets owned by the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT).
Chairman of the Chicago City Council Committee on Pedestrian and Traffic Safety, Alderman Daniel La Spata, says the move stems from the City's Vision Zero plan to eliminate traffic deaths.
“We don’t want more revenue, I want to be so clear, the goal is not more revenue. The goal is to change behaviors and save lives,” La Spata says.
Speaking in opposition, Ald. Brian Hopkins questions how to get city drivers on board.
“We still have a majority of Chicagoans that are fully vested in our current system of using cars to get around,” Hopkins says. “We need their buy-in to make these kind of changes.”
Alderman Jason Ervin questions the one-size fits all approach.
“When you’re dealing with homelessness, violence, lack of economic opportunity, I’m sorry, reducing the speed limit is not the number one issue,” says Ervin.
The measure passed out of committee, and, if approved by the full City Council, would not go into effect until January of 2026.
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