Tollway speed limit going to 70 unless counties object

State lawmakers Wednesday voted to raise speed limits on Illinois tollways to 70 mph in urban areas.

The Illinois House overrode Gov. Pat Quinn's veto of the idea without debate. The Senate already did the same last month, so the proposal will become law next year.

Suburban county boards could opt out of the plan and keep tollway speed limits at 55 mph.

State Sen. Jim Oberweis, a Sugar Grove Republican, had argued his legislation from last year to raise speed limits to 70 mph on downstate interstates also applied to the Chicago area. Quinn's administration disagreed, so Oberweis pushed forward with the plan approved Wednesday.

Quinn cited safety concerns when he vetoed the plan.

"Studies show that increased traffic speeds lengthen vehicle stopping distances, produce more violent collisions, and ultimately, increase the loss of human life," he wrote.