Chicago keeps a 30 mph default speed limit on city streets under Illinois law, dropping to 20 mph in active school zones and rising to 45 to 55 mph on expressways. A proposal to lower the default to 25 mph stalled in City Council.
Chicago speed limits at a glance
| Road type | Limit |
|---|---|
| City streets (default) | 30 mph (48 kph) |
| Residential / school zones | 30 mph (48 kph) |
| Major roads / arterials | 35 mph (56 kph) |
| Highways through the city | 55 mph (89 kph) |
About speed limits in Chicago
Chicago's default speed limit is 30 mph on any city street where no other limit is posted, matching the Illinois urban-district default under the Illinois Vehicle Code. That 30 mph figure covers the bulk of residential and neighborhood streets across the city. Larger arterials are often posted at 30 to 35 mph, while streets under Illinois Department of Transportation jurisdiction, such as DuSable Lake Shore Drive, follow state-set limits rather than the city default.
A high-profile ordinance to lower Chicago's default from 30 mph to 25 mph, and to 20 mph in high-pedestrian areas, cleared a City Council committee in October 2024 but repeatedly stalled over sign-replacement costs estimated near 3 million dollars, equity concerns, and congestion worries. Its sponsor paused the vote for lack of support, so as of mid-2026 the citywide default remains 30 mph. Nearby suburbs such as Skokie moved ahead with 25 mph residential limits while Chicago debated.
School zones drop to 20 mph when children are present, enforced 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. on school days. Chicago runs one of the largest automated enforcement programs in the country: all speed cameras sit inside Children's Safety Zones within an eighth of a mile of a school or park, and the city also operates an extensive red-light camera network. New camera locations begin with a 30-day warning period before tickets are issued.
Expressways through Chicago, including the Dan Ryan, Kennedy, Eisenhower, and Stevenson, are typically posted at 45 to 55 mph and fall under Illinois DOT and Illinois State Police jurisdiction rather than city speed cameras. A local quirk: red-light camera yellow-light timing is 3 seconds where the posted approach speed is 30 mph or lower and 4 seconds at 35 mph or higher.
Enforcement
Chicago combines heavy automated enforcement with officer patrols. Speed cameras operate only inside Children's Safety Zones near schools and parks, alongside a large red-light camera network, while Chicago Police and Illinois State Police handle streets and expressways.
Tolerance
City speed cameras issue tickets starting at 6 mph over the posted limit, with a lower fine for 6 to 10 mph over and a higher one above that. New camera locations run a 30-day warning period before any citations.
Speeding fines in Chicago
Chicago speed-camera tickets are 35 dollars for 6 to 10 mph over the limit and 100 dollars for 11 mph or more over. Red-light camera violations are 100 dollars. Officer-issued tickets vary by speed and can be higher once court costs are added.
Frequently asked questions
What is the speed limit in Chicago?
Chicago's default speed limit is 30 mph on most city streets, dropping to 20 mph in active school zones and rising to 45 to 55 mph on expressways.
Did Chicago lower its speed limit to 25 mph?
No. A 2024 ordinance to lower the default from 30 to 25 mph passed committee but stalled in City Council over cost and equity concerns, so the citywide default remains 30 mph as of 2026.
How do speed cameras work in Chicago?
Chicago speed cameras operate only inside Children's Safety Zones near schools and parks. They ticket drivers 6 mph or more over the limit, with a 35-dollar fine for 6 to 10 mph over and 100 dollars above that.
Are there higher limits on Chicago expressways?
Yes. Expressways such as the Dan Ryan, Kennedy, and Stevenson are typically posted at 45 to 55 mph and are patrolled by Illinois State Police rather than city speed cameras.
More Illinois speed limits
- Illinois speed limit — statewide interstate, highway, and city limits.
Related tools
- Convert MPH to KPH — convert any speed reading between units.
- Car speed test — verify your speedometer accuracy.
- Live GPS speedometer — see your actual speed in the browser.
- Stopping distance calculator — how far you need to brake from each speed.
- US speed limits overview — federal background and national patterns.