SPRINGFIELD - Big rigs could rumble across Illinois highways at the same speed as cars under a proposal approved Thursday by the state Senate.

On a 45-10 vote, lawmakers OK'd a plan to boost the speed limit for trucks to 65 mph, up from its current maximum of 55 mph.

Its chances of becoming law, however, remain slim. Gov. Rod Blagojevich has twice vetoed prior attempts to raise the speed limit, saying it could lead to more traffic deaths.

The bill's sponsor, state Sen. John Sullivan, D-Rushville, said the change will make roads safer because the current setup results in cars weaving in and out of slower truck traffic, potentially causing more wrecks.

Forty other states have uniform speed limits for cars and trucks.

State Sen. Gary Forby, D-Benton, favors the higher limit.

"This is a safety thing. They need to be running the same speed," said Forby.

But state Sen. Dave Luechtefeld, R-Okawville, said lawmakers should put the brakes on the idea.

"I think that's too fast for trucks," said Luechtefeld.

According to the Truck Safety Coalition, there have been nearly 900 fatalities in Illinois related to large trucks between 2001 and 2005.

The legislation is Senate Bill 540.