Starting Jan. 1, Illinois increased the speed limit on stretches of interstate not in urban areas to 70 miles per hour. Pictured below is a map of areas affected by the slight speed limit increase. The nearest affected areas to Monroe County are Interstate 70 in the eastern half of Madison County and Interstate 64 in the northeastern edge of St. Clair County.

This map is featured in the Jan. 8 edition of the Republic-Times newspaper, on stands now.

Click the map for a larger view or to print.