# Amendment of Municipal Code Section 9-12-070 establishing maximum speed limit of 25 miles per hour on streets, 15 miles per hour in alleys, and absolute statutory nonurban limit of 55 miles per hour

- Record number: **SO2024-0010990**
- Type: Ordinance; category: Municipal Code Amendments
- Status: Final
- Sponsor: La Spata, Daniel (with 8 co-sponsors)
- Committee: Committee on Pedestrian and Traffic Safety
- Introduced: Jul 17, 2024
- Final action: Feb 19, 2025
- Official record: [Office of the City Clerk](https://chicityclerkelms.chicago.gov/Matter/?matterId=B6B7F7E8-5644-EF11-8409-001DD8306DF0)

## Roll call: Failed to Pass Feb 19, 2025

**21 yea, 28 nay.** This was a divided vote. On motion of Alderperson LaSpata, and unsuccessful motion to reconsider by Alderperson Mitchell, the matter Failed to Pass. Voted at the [City Council meeting of Feb 19, 2025](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/3177F700-7CD3-EF11-8EEA-001DD804AA64).

**Nay (28)**: [Brian Hopkins](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/2) (2), [Pat Dowell](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/3) (3), [Desmon C. Yancy](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/5) (5), [Gregory I. Mitchell](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/7) (7), [Michelle A. Harris](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/8) (8), [Anthony Beale](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/9) (9), [Peter Chico](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/10) (10), [Nicole T. Lee](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/11) (11), [Marty Quinn](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/13) (13), [Raymond A. Lopez](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/15) (15), [Stephanie D. Coleman](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/16) (16), [David H. Moore](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/17) (17), [Matthew J. O'Shea](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/19) (19), [Ronnie L. Mosley](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/21) (21), [Silvana Tabares](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/23) (23), [Monique L. Scott](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/24) (24), [Walter R. Burnett](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/27) (27), [Jason C. Ervin](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/28) (28), [Chris Taliaferro](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/29) (29), [Ruth Cruz](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/30) (30), [Felix Cardona Jr.](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/31) (31), [Gilbert Villegas](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/36) (36), [Emma Mitts](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/37) (37), [Nicholas Sposato](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/38) (38), [Samantha Nugent](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/39) (39), [Anthony V. Napolitano](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/41) (41), [James M. Gardiner](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/45) (45), [Debra L. Silverstein](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/50) (50)

**Yea (17)**: [Daniel La Spata](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/1) (1), [Lamont J. Robinson](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/4) (4), [William E. Hall](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/6) (6), [Julia M. Ramirez](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/12) (12), [Derrick G. Curtis](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/18) (18), [Jeanette B. Taylor](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/20) (20), [Michael D. Rodriguez](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/22) (22), [Jessica L. Fuentes](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/26) (26), [Scott Waguespack](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/32) (32), [William Conway](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/34) (34), [Andre Vasquez Jr.](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/40) (40), [Timothy R. Knudsen](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/43) (43), [Bennett R. Lawson](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/44) (44), [Angela Clay](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/46) (46), [Matthew J. Martin](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/47) (47), [Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/48) (48), [Maria E. Hadden](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/49) (49)

**Not voting (1)**: [Brendan Reilly](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/42) (42)

Former members who voted: Jeylu B. Gutierrez (Yea), Byron Sigcho-Lopez (Yea), Carlos Ramirez-Rosa (Yea), Rossana Rodriguez Sanchez (Yea)

## Plain-language summary

> Written by AI (@cf/openai/gpt-oss-120b) from the ordinance text only: [Substitute Ordinance O2024-0010990.pdf](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/files/clerk/matterattachmentspublic/1e0476a5-9b41-4d01-b445-a1975495f0d6.pdf). AI can make mistakes; the official document always wins.

The City Council is changing the speed-limit rules: 25 mph on city streets, 15 mph in alleys, and 55 mph on roads outside the city’s urban districts. Violations will bring fines of $200‑$300 for a first offense, $300‑$500 for a second, and $500‑$1,000 for later offenses, plus possible community service or felony charges if a death occurs.

- Maximum speed limits set at 25 mph (urban streets), 15 mph (alleys), 55 mph (non-urban).
- Fines range from $200‑$300 for first, $300‑$500 for second, $500‑$1,000 for subsequent offenses within three years.
- Violators also face community service and possible felony charges if a fatality results.
- Speed limits can be adjusted by the Commissioner of Transportation with city council approval, within set minimum and maximum ranges.
- The ordinance becomes effective on January 1, 2026.

**Money**

- $200‑$300 for a first offense
- $300‑$500 for a second offense
- $500‑$1,000 for the third and each subsequent offense within a three-year period

**Who**: All drivers and vehicle operators in Chicago, as well as residents and pedestrians who use city streets, alleys, and non-urban roads, are affected.

**Where**: City of Chicago (urban districts, alleys, and non-urban streets within the city’s jurisdiction)

## Timeline

- Jul 17, 2024: Referred, City Council
- Sep 16, 2024: Recommended for Re-Referral, Committee on Committees and Rules
- Sep 18, 2024: Referred, City Council
- Oct 21, 2024: Recommended to Pass, Committee on Pedestrian and Traffic Safety
- Oct 22, 2024: Deferred and Published, City Council
- Feb 19, 2025: Substituted, City Council
- Feb 19, 2025: Failed to Pass, City Council

## Documents

- [Re-Referred from ComRules.pdf](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/files/clerk/matterattachmentspublic/430f74f3-02ea-411c-a463-d8f9a797b7b4.pdf) (Committee Letter)
- [O2024-0010990 Committee Letter - Speed Limit - Ward 01.pdf](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/files/clerk/matterattachmentspublic/f74dfcd3-8f21-46d2-b6fb-eeb7684e4b6d.pdf) (Committee Letter)
- [Substitute Ordinance O2024-0010990.pdf](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/files/clerk/matterattachmentspublic/1e0476a5-9b41-4d01-b445-a1975495f0d6.pdf) (Legislation)
- [w1 others O10990.pdf](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/files/clerk/matterattachmentspublic/a41d2d4e-a06c-49ce-abc0-b5f4fc23b089.pdf) (Legislation)

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Source: https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/B6B7F7E8-5644-EF11-8409-001DD8306DF0 · Chicago Politics, an independent, nonpartisan tracker of the Chicago City Council. Guide for agents: https://www.chicagopolitics.org/llms.txt