Safety Guide

During the school year, drivers need to be extra careful when driving around schools in the morning and afternoon when children are outside. Compliance with these safety reminders will help ensure that our children remain safe while traveling to and from school.

Throughout the school year the Des Plaines Police Department conducts a variety of traffic initiatives to enforce compliance with the Illinois Vehicle Code. In addition, the Department responds to several traffic related complaints received by the public. This brochure covers safety issues around schools, which if violated, can result in mandatory court appearances, fines, and suspension of driving privileges.

For more information on traffic related issues, please call the Traffic Unit at 847-391-5411.For more information on bicycle safety and child safety seats, please call the Community Action Team at 847-391-5410.

School Speed Zones

School zones are clearly marked with special speed limit signs. Drivers should always be aware when entering a school zone. School speed zones are enforceable on school days when children are present. School days are considered Monday through Friday from 7:00am to 4:00pm. The minimum fine for first time violations is $150 plus an additional $50 fine that is paid to the school district. A second or subsequent violation could result in the fines doubling.

Illinois Vehicle Code 625 ILCS 5/11-605

Sec. 11‑605. Special speed limit while passing schools.

For the purpose of this Section, "school" means the following entities:
1. A public or private primary or secondary school.
2. A primary or secondary school operated by a religious institution.
3. A public, private, or religious nursery school.

On a school day when school children are present and so close thereto that a potential hazard exists because of the close proximity of the motorized traffic, no person shall drive a motor vehicle at a speed in excess of 20 miles per hour while passing a school zone or while traveling on a roadway on public school property or upon any public thoroughfare where children pass going to and from school.
For the purpose of this Section a school day shall begin at seven ante meridian and shall conclude at four post meridian.
This Section shall not be applicable unless appropriate signs are posted upon streets and highways under their respective jurisdiction and maintained by the Department, township, county, park district, city, village or incorporated town wherein the school zone is located. With regard to the special speed limit while passing schools, such signs shall give proper due warning that a school zone is being approached and shall indicate the school zone and the maximum speed limit in effect during school days when school children are present.

(Blank).
Nothing in this Chapter shall prohibit the use of electronic speed‑detecting devices within 500 feet of signs within a special school speed zone indicating such zone, as defined in this Section, nor shall evidence obtained thereby be inadmissible in any prosecution for speeding provided the use of such device shall apply only to the enforcement of the speed limit in such special school speed zone.
(Blank).
A first violation of this Section is a petty offense with a minimum fine of $150. A second or subsequent violation of this Section is a petty offense with a minimum fine of $300.
When a fine for a violation of subsection (a) is $150 or greater, the person who violates subsection (a) shall be charged an additional $50 to be paid to the unit school district where the violation occurred for school safety purposes. If the violation occurred in a dual school district, $25 of the surcharge shall be paid to the elementary school district for school safety purposes and $25 of the surcharge shall be paid to the high school district for school safety purposes. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the entire $50 surcharge shall be paid to the appropriate school district or districts.
For purposes of this subsection (f), "school safety purposes" includes the costs associated with school zone safety education and the purchase, installation, and maintenance of caution lights which are mounted on school speed zone signs.
(Blank).
(Blank).

(Source: P.A. 92‑242, eff. 1‑1‑02; 92‑619, eff. 1‑1‑03; 92‑780, eff. 8‑6‑02; 93‑955, eff. 8‑19‑04.)