You may want to think twice before you push the pedal to the metal. While Illinois has never taken speeding lightly, the Illinois legislature has bumped the penalties up a notch in recent years. Prior to 2011, Aggravated Speeding was defined as traveling in excess of 40 miles per hour over the posted speed limit and was the only Criminal Misdemeanor offense, a Class A Misdemeanor. A Class A misdemeanor holds maximum punishment of one year in county jail and a $2500 fine.
In 2011, Illinois added an additional criminal offense, a Class B Misdemeanor charge for going 31-39 miles per hour over the posted speed limit. A Class B Misdemeanor holds a maximum penalty of six months in jail and a $1500 fine. Drivers who were Class B offenders were eligible for Court Supervision, meaning that the court could hold the case open for a period of time in which the offender could follow supervised conditions, which if successful could lead to dismissal of the case.
But the Illinois Legislature did not stop there. In 2013, the legislature decided to increase the penalties even greater and widen the range of offenders. The legislature amended the Illinois Vehicle Code (625 ILCS 5/11 601.5) to classify speeding 26-34 miles per hour over the posted speed limit as a Class B Misdemeanor and speeding 35 or more miles per hour over the posted speed limit as a Class A Misdemeanor. In addition to the standard penalties, as stated above, the legislature no longer allows supervision for either Class A or Class B Misdemeanors.
Under the current state of the law, if you plead guilty or are found guilty of The Aggravated Speeding Law (625 ILCS 5/11 601.5) the conviction is mandatory. The possible repercussions can include increased insurance rates and possible license suspension. In addition, the conviction would be required to be disclosed on job, loan, school, and professional license applications.
Violations of this law do not require an accident, any type of injury, or even other cars on the road. The law has been challenged as violating the Illinois State Constitution as cruel punishment and disproportionate to the crime, however, as of now the law stands and is strictly enforced.
If you have any questions regarding Aggravated Speeding Laws in Illinois, please contact our office today.