Data from the Illinois Department of Transportation shows that the state's pedestrian fatalities increased by 18 percent in 2015.
There were 150 pedestrian deaths in 2015, compared with 127 in 2014. Federal data indicates that pedestrian deaths are on the rise nationwide, with almost 4,900 killed in 2014, the highest number since 2005.
Federal official are still finalizing figures for 2015, but they say the first nine months of last year show a 9 percent increase in traffic deaths, which is expected to be reflected in pedestrian fatalities, and they believe that tally will increase.
Experts say impaired or distracted driving and walking, as well as poorly designed crossings and signals are to blame for the increase in pedestrian deaths.
