Illinois Lawmakers Consider Raising Interstate Speed Limits to 70 mph

Illinois legislators have recently been pushing a proposal to increase the speed limit to 70 mph on some interstates outside of Lake County. While the legislation has stalled for now, the plan to boost speeds hasn't been stopped, despite the protests of road safety advocates.

Though the plan has been approved by a Senate committee, it isn't expected to be voted on by the full Senate until 2011. If approved by the legislature and signed by the governor, the new law would raise interstate highway speed limits by five miles per hour outside of Cook, DuPage, Kane, Will, Lake and McHenry.

The new law would bring Illinois in line with 34 other states, including Missouri and Iowa.

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Early winter snowstorm wreaks havoc on Illinois’ highways

Hot chocolate, twinkling holiday lights and wearing comfortable sweaters are what most people associate with winter weather. However, when temperatures drop not everything about this season is enjoyable, particularly for drivers. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration, there are 6,301,000 vehicle accidents every year. While car accidents happen for a variety of reasons, approximately 24 percent of these accidents occur due to adverse weather conditions like snow, sleet and ice.

The hazards of winter driving

In states like Illinois where winter weather brings cold temperatures, snow and freezing rain, conditions can wreak havoc on the highways. One of the main culprits of the increased number of accidents during winter weather is due to ice on the roads. When ice forms on the surface of roadways, it prevents a vehicle's tires from getting good grip on the road and also makes it more difficult to stop and steer.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Illinois Premises Liability Claims

Each year, thousands of people in Lake County and throughout Illinois suffer injury because businesses, shopping malls, hotels and other property owners and occupants fail to assure the safety of their premises. Although loose banisters, cracked sidewalks and damaged parking lot lighting may seem like innocuous problems, they can lead to serious and debilitating injuries. In some cases, a simple fall down a stairway may lead to thousands of dollars in medical bills, not to mention weeks of missed work.

Illinois law allows those who suffer injury because of the condition of another person's business or home to bring what is known as a premises liability claim. These suits allow injured parties to collect damages against property owners and occupants who have been negligent in keeping up their property. When accidents happen, negligent property owners and occupants may be liable for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering and more.

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Dram Shop Act Can Help Victims of DUI Drivers Get Compensation

A police officer and the bar that served her alcohol have agreed to pay $2.25 million to the families of four young people killed last year when the officer slammed into their vehicle while driving the wrong way on a highway. Three of the passengers in the car were graduate students at Eastern Illinois University; the man driving the car was injured but survived.

In Illinois, when a person is injured by a drunk driver, they have the right to pursue a claim against the driver. Families of people killed by drunk drivers can pursue wrongful death lawsuits.

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