Sycamore residents will now have to adapt to a recent speed reduction, which was enforced this week.

Previously the speed limit was 30 miles per hour for the residential district. Now, 25 mph will be enforced unless otherwise posted.

After conducting traffic studies, it was found that it would be much safer if the speed limit was reduced to 25 mph in the urban district, which is basically all the residential streets.

The idea was first brought to attention during the Oct. 7 Sycamore City Council meeting. The 25 mph community-wide speed limit for the was proposed by Police Chief Donald Thomas.

“It was actually a request by the citizens,” Thomas said. “ We have a subdivision in town called Foxpointe Drive-a number of the residents had complained of cars driving too fast.”

During the recent studies, it was discovered the average speed of cars on Foxpointe Drive was 29 mph-which is still slightly less than the posted limit, but problems were still occurring. There were many curb cuts, and other factors such as driveways and side streets influenced the speed reduction.

State law says that any street that isn’t posted in a residential area should be 30 mph. “We’ve amended that and brought it down to 25, “ Thomas said.

The complaints hadn’t just come from residents in Foxpointe Drive. There are many families all throughout Sycamore that are concerned about the safety of their children.

Sycamore resident Julie Brust, who lives about half a mile from Foxpointe Drive expressed her concern. “Even though people know the speed limit, they still just fly through the neighborhood.”

Brust has kids that play outside, as do many other children from the neighborhood. She thinks that the speed limit reduction will be a good thing for the community and those drivers that haven’t obeyed the posted signs.

“We are going to try to get the word out,” Thomas said. “As soon as we get signs we will get it posted. Until then we will give out warnings, but after that there will be a ticket.”