Supporters of SB2374, the bill that would have ended the split speed limit in Illinois, are not likely to make a second attempt to override the governor’s veto.
Rep. John Bradley, D-Marion, who sponsored the bill in the House, said that although it was possible to try again for an override, he didn’t think the bill’s supporters would attempt a second vote.
“I just don’t see the support there to do it,” he said. “It probably would be something that wouldn’t have an impact.
“If I thought we could turn those people that flipped back around, I would call it in a second. But I don’t have a lot of confidence in that.”
A second override attempt would have to occur before Thursday, Nov. 18, the end of the annual veto session.
In a repeat of last year’s veto session, a number of lawmakers who initially supported the measure abandoned it this year.
“There’s a history of people voting for it initially, and then not voting for it on veto,” Bradley said.
This time, many of those lawmakers who changed their minds were swayed by a mass of editorials against the bill in newspapers across the state, he added.
SB2374 would have eliminated provisions in Illinois law that set up a slower, 55 mph speed limit for any vehicle over 8,000 pounds traveling on rural interstates. Other vehicles on those roads can travel 65 mph; all speed limits would have remained 55 mph in urban areas.
The bill cleared the Senate the first time on March 4, passing 37-15. It gained approval in the House May 18. However, Gov. Rod Blagojevich vetoed the measure Aug. 18.
The Illinois Senate voted 41-17 to override Blagojevich’s veto Nov. 9. Shortly afterward, Blagojevich and his allies opened a full-scale effort to stop an override in the House.
A bill to end the split speed limit has been raised every year for several years in the Illinois General Assembly. However, Bradley was not yet sure whether he would reintroduce the measure next year. Different legislators have introduced the bills each year. Sen. George Shadid, D-Pekin, who introduced SB2374 in the Senate, was not available for comment at press time.
– By Mark H. Reddig, associate editor
mark_reddig@landlinemag.com
