What Happens if You Are Caught Speeding in a Construction Zone in Illinois?

 Posted on May 19, 2025 in Traffic Violations

Like most states, Illinois has specific laws that govern speeding in a construction zone. Construction workers inherently face more danger on the job than the average person, and the laws that protect them from careless drivers are meant to keep you safe as well. If you were cited for speeding while driving through a construction zone, talk to a DuPage County, IL traffic violation defense attorney to discuss the specifics of the stop and whether you may be able to challenge the citation. 

Do the Laws for Speeding in a Construction Zone Change in Illinois if No Workers are Present?

Illinois law has special speed limit requirements while driving through a highway construction or maintenance zone. The law prohibits you from going faster than the zone’s posted speed limit and defines what counts as a construction zone. For example, a governmental agency with jurisdiction must authorize the area. Additionally, there must be signage that warns drivers that they are approaching the zone and informs them of the maximum speed limit for the area and the applicable fine for speeding.

While it may seem illogical, the law still generally applies whether or not workers are present when the traffic violation occurs. The idea is that construction zones present other hazards to drivers, such as narrow lanes, barriers, and equipment, that warrant the need for a decrease in speed. Statistics from the state police note that most of the people injured or killed at highway construction zones are people passing through, not workers.

What Are the Penalties for Speeding in an Illinois Construction Zone?

The fines for speeding in a construction zone are typically higher than the average speeding ticket. For example, if you are found guilty of a serious violation, the judge will impose at least a $375 fine for your first offense. If you have been convicted of this offense before, the fine will be a minimum of $1,000. If your second offense occurred within two years of the first conviction, you will likely face a 90-day driver’s license suspension. Additionally, if you are charged with aggravated speeding in a construction zone, you could face jail time and a fine as high as $1,500, depending on your speed.

What Will an Attorney Consider When Building a Defense Against a Construction Zone Speeding Citation?

When you contact a defense attorney, they investigate the circumstances that led to your citation to determine a possible defense. Some questions they may consider include:

• Was the speed limit for the construction zone properly posted?

• Was the "slow down" signage posted far enough for you to have the time to reduce your speed safely?

• How did the officer who issued your citation determine your speed?

• Did your citation come from an automated traffic control system?

It is essential to consider every detail of the incident and consult with an experienced legal representative who may notice something useful for your defense that you missed.

Speak With a Wheaton, IL Construction Zone Speeding Defense Attorney

If you received a citation for speeding in a construction zone, you should speak with a DuPage County traffic violation defense lawyer at Davi Law Group, LLC before pleading guilty. You still have the right to a defense, even for a speeding ticket, and working with an experienced attorney increases your chances of reducing the penalty or having it dismissed. Call 630-580-6373 to schedule your free consultation today and learn more about your legal options.