Illinois Considers Speed Control Devices as Alternative to License Suspension

Lawmakers explore new program to allow reckless drivers to continue driving with speed limiters

Apr. 9, 2026 at 1:52pm

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A vibrant, fractured painting of a car speedometer needle rapidly moving through a range of bright colors, conceptually representing speed control technology that limits reckless driving.A new Illinois program would allow reckless drivers to keep driving with speed-limiting devices, aiming to improve public safety without the collateral consequences of license suspensions.Springfield Today

Illinois lawmakers are considering a bill that would allow drivers with suspended licenses to continue driving with a speed control device installed in their car. The device would limit the car's speed to the road's stated speed limit. Drivers who have their licenses suspended following two reckless driving or excessive speeding infractions within 12 months would be eligible to apply for a permit to participate in the program.

Why it matters

Speeding is a major factor in nearly half of all deadly crashes, and license suspensions have proven ineffective at curbing repeat offenses. This new program aims to improve public safety by allowing drivers to maintain their mobility while enforcing speed limits through technology.

The details

Under the proposed legislation, drivers with two speeding or reckless driving infractions within 12 months could apply for a permit to have a speed control device installed in their car rather than having their license suspended. The device would be programmed to the speed limit and prevent the vehicle from exceeding it. Participants would pay a $30 monthly fee and be subject to the device for 1-3 years depending on their offense history. Drivers could temporarily override the speed limit in certain situations like passing another vehicle.

  • The bill was approved unanimously by a House committee in April 2026 and is still being negotiated before a full vote.
  • If passed, the program would go into effect later in 2026.

The players

Rep. Marti Deuter

A Democratic state representative from Elmhurst who is sponsoring the bill.

Mike Mahana

Vice president of LifeSafer, a company that provides ignition interlock and speed control devices.

Rep. Will Guzzardi

A Democratic state representative from Chicago who participated in a demonstration of the speed control technology.

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What they’re saying

“Speeding is a chronic problem on our streets and is a threat to public safety. Speeding is a factor in nearly half of all deadly crashes. Risk of fatality increases as speed increases.”

— Rep. Marti Deuter, State Representative

“It is configurable to let them go for a certain period of seconds over the speed limit. We control that by how many miles per hour they go over the speed limit and for how long they can use it for. It's meant for people that need to pass a vehicle, maybe go up a hill, passing a truck.”

— Mike Mahana, Vice President, LifeSafer

“It feels very natural and it also feels really safe. You as a driver, you don't notice it after a couple of minutes. You're driving normally.”

— Rep. Will Guzzardi, State Representative

What’s next

The bill is still being negotiated in the Illinois legislature and must pass both the House and Senate before being signed into law by the governor.

The takeaway

This new program aims to improve public safety by allowing reckless drivers to maintain their mobility while enforcing speed limits through technology, rather than relying solely on license suspensions which have proven ineffective at curbing repeat offenses.