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Ald. Vasquez discusses next steps for passing 25 mph law, and supports bringing back income-based fine discount, 10 mph ticketing threshold
Read the second half of this interview, including additional discussion of the 25 mph speed limit effort, the looming transit fiscal cliff, bikeways, and more here.
March 28, 2025
Majority of alders voted against 25 mph speed limit today, which means more Chicagoans will be seriously injured and die in crashes
There was bad news for safer streets in Chicago today as a proposed ordinance to lower the city's default speed limit from 30 to 25 mph was defeated in the City Council by a vote of 28 to 21. Data from other cities indicates this measure would have greatly reduced the number of serious and fatal traffic crashes.
February 19, 2025
Advocates from peer cities that have lowered their speed limits, with impressive results, offer encouragement to Chicago
Last month, the Chicago City Council's Committee on Pedestrian and Traffic Safety passed an ordinance to lower our default speed limit from 30 to 25 mph. There will likely be a final Council vote later this year, and if the legislation is approved, the new rule would go into effect by New Year's Day 2026.
November 18, 2024
Breaking: Twice-failed, non-Chicagoan, “more of a Republican than a Democrat” mayoral candidate says he can’t drive 25
In his 43rd Tribune op-ed since he lost the 2023 Chicago mayoral runoff election, perennial Illinois and Chicago candidate Paul Vallas rails against lowering the speed limit to save lives.
October 23, 2024
They can drive 25: At committee meeting residents, panelists support lowering Chicago’s default speed limit
While there's no ordinance yet, the next steps are to draft one, take a committee vote and, if it passes, put it before the full City Council.
May 2, 2024
Equiticity and ATA: Passing a 25 mph speed limit should be combined with street redesigns that calm traffic
Equiticity, a mobility justice nonprofit, says the new speed limit shouldn't involve increased enforcement, which it says would disproportionately impact drivers of color
April 29, 2024
As usual, People for Bikes’ rock-bottom Chicago ranking is silly. But pushing us to lower speed limits and build a citywide protected bike lane network makes sense.
Another year, another flawed report from the advocacy group People for Bikes rating Chicago as one of the very worst big American cities for biking.
July 20, 2023
Here’s an update on several state bills for safer streets
There's a ton of proposed livable streets legislation in play at the state level right now. Here's a quick roundup.
March 8, 2023
Once again, People for Bikes ranks more car-centric, less bikeable cities above Chicago
While it's rankings don't reflect reality, the PFB ratings do offer some useful constructive criticism for Chicago. Biking here would benefit from a lower speed limit and connected protected bike lane network.
July 5, 2022
Misguided Vision Zero criticism from Smith, sensible speed limit comments from Reilly
Smith argued that Vision Zero should be defunded to pay for better street lighting, but Reilly said he's interested in the possibility of lowering the downtown speed limit to 20 mph.
November 3, 2020
