DeLaRosa backs HB5081, limiting local speed limit adjustments in safety zones

Rep. Margaret A. DeLaRosa (D-42nd) supported HB5081—legislation restricting local changes to speed limits in safety zones—during the 104th General Assembly on May 31, 2026, the Illinois House reported; the bill passed the chamber with a 116-1 vote.

The bill summary describes the act as: "VEH CD-ALTER SPEED LIMITS."

The following breakdown summarizes the legislation and may interpret the bill text for added clarity about its terms.

In summary, the legislation limits the use of automated speed cameras in safety zones by exempting streets where the speed limit was lowered to 30 mph by local ordinance without a traffic or engineering study. The bill permits local governments and park districts to reduce speed limits within urban areas to 20-25 mph through ordinance alone, to 10 mph in alleys, and to 20 mph in residential zones. It also permits increases in urban speed limits up to 55 mph if future reductions are supported by a study, and mandates posting signs for all new limits.

For HB5081, the formal action was ‘Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 House Concurs’.

DeLaRosa holds a BS from DePaul University.

A Democrat, DeLaRosa was elected to the Illinois House in 2025, representing the 42nd District and succeeding Terra Costa Howard.

Illinois legislation moves through a multi-phase process involving bill introduction, committee evaluation, floor debate, and votes in the House and Senate before reaching the governor for signing or veto. The General Assembly meets every two years, with thousands of bills introduced each session; only a small percentage become law.