STATEMENT FROM GOVERNOR ROD BLAGOJEVICH

SPRINGFIELD - "Today, members of the Illinois House of Representatives were asked to vote on a bill that would have raised the speed limit for trucks from 55 miles per hour to 65 miles per hour.  Raising the speed limit for trucks would have meant more accidents, more injuries, and more deaths on our roads.  In fact, if the speed limit for trucks were raised, an additional 111 people in Illinois would die in traffic accidents each year.  That's why I vetoed the bill this past summer.  This afternoon, the House of Representatives voted to sustain my veto, and keep the speed limit for trucks at 55 miles per hour.  Today's vote saved lives.  I want to congratulate the 68 men and women of the House of Representatives who voted against raising the speed limit for trucks and for keeping our highways safe.  Public safety is the first responsibility of government.  That responsibility was certainly fulfilled today."