Bill
HB 2461
Authorizes automated speed enforcement near schools and park districts, sets civil penalties, and directs 3% of net proceeds to the affected district when revenue exceeds $500,000.
Status summary
- Jurisdiction: Illinois (Illinois Vehicle Code amendment)
- Bill introduced: Feb 4, 2025 (Rep. Jaime M. Andrade, Jr.)
- House action: Passed House (3rd Reading) Apr 10, 2025 (112–0); House Floor Amendment No. 1 filed Apr 7 and adopted Apr 10
- Senate action as of Apr 14, 2025: Arrived in Senate, First Reading, referred to Assignments
- Note: The supplied packet also contains unrelated Arizona family & medical leave text; this summary covers the Illinois Vehicle Code provisions concerning automated speed enforcement systems.
Purpose and intent
- Authorizes and regulates the use of automated speed enforcement systems (speed cameras, radar/laser/photo systems) in defined “safety zones” near schools and certain park district facilities, establishes civil-penalty levels and notice procedures, and directs how net penalty revenue must be spent — including a required set‑aside to affected school or park districts for high‑revenue systems.
Key definitions and scope
- “Automated speed enforcement system”: photographic/radar/laser or similar devices used in a safety zone to record vehicle speed and images of the vehicle and license plate; recorded images must display time, date and location.
- “Safety zone”: area within one‑eighth mile of the nearest property line of any public/private elementary or secondary school or certain school district or park district lands used for educational/recreational purposes; roadway portions within radius are extended to nearest intersections. Excludes Lake Shore Drive and controlled‑access highways with 8+ lanes.
Operational limits
- Systems may record violations only during specified times:
- For school‑based safety zones: only on school days, no earlier than 6:00 a.m. and no later than 8:30 p.m. Monday–Thursday (9:00 p.m. if the school day is Friday).
- For park‑based safety zones: only from one hour before opening until one hour after closing.
Penalties and enforcement
- Owner of the registered vehicle is subject to civil penalties (not criminal and not recorded on driving record):
- 6–10 mph over limit: civil penalty up to $50 (plus up to $50 for late payment).
- More than 10 mph over limit: civil penalty up to $100 (plus up to $100 for late payment).
- No penalty for recorded speeds 5 mph or less over limit.
- Exemption: no penalty if a law enforcement officer issues a citation for the same violation within 15 minutes and within one‑eighth mile of the recorded violation.
- Municipalities must make recorded images accessible to the alleged violator (e.g., via a website) and mail written notice within specified timelines (must mail within 30 days after Secretary of State provides owner identity, but no later than 90 days after the violation).
- Notice must include owner name/address, registration number, date/time/location, copy of recorded image(s), penalty amount and payment/contest options, and statement that failing to respond is an admission of liability.
Revenue use and set‑aside
- Municipalities keep net proceeds from civil penalties after deducting personnel and non‑personnel operation/maintenance costs.
- Eligible spending categories: public safety initiatives around schools/parks (including personnel and equipment), pedestrian and traffic safety initiatives, construction and maintenance of municipal infrastructure (including roads/bridges), and after‑school programs.
- Original bill contained a provision requiring municipalities operating a system that generates more than $500,000 in revenue to set aside 10% of net proceeds for the school district or park district in whose safety zone the system is located. House Amendment No. 1 (filed Apr 7, 2025) changes that set‑aside percentage from 10% to 3%.
Who is affected
- Municipalities that install and operate automated speed enforcement systems (new compliance, reporting and revenue‑management obligations).
- Registered vehicle owners/drivers who are recorded by these systems (civil penalties, notice and appeal pathways).
- School districts and park districts within safety zones — may receive a percentage of net proceeds (3% per adopted House amendment) if a system generates > $500,000.
- Local budgets and public‑safety programs (new revenue stream but also new operational costs).
Procedural/timeline notes
- The bill passed the Illinois House and was transmitted to the Senate on Apr 14, 2025, where it was referred to Assignments; further Senate committee or floor action is pending.
- A companion bill(s) reported: SB 988 and SB 3150.
Limitations and open items
- Text in materials is partially truncated in places and contains drafting artifacts; the summary above reflects the main, readable provisions and the notable amendment reducing the school/park set‑aside to 3%.
- The bill does not appear to set an explicit statewide implementation date; municipal deployment would be subject to local decisions and any additional rulemaking or administrative steps required.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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