speeding in illinois maintenance zone

What is the name of your state? Indiana

I was on my way from my home in Indiana to school in Texas when I got a speeding ticket for going 72 in a 55 maintenance zone in Illinois. I did not see any workers present but the sign under the next zone I passed said there was a $200 minimum fine, which is what I got. My question is, the ticket says I am required to appear in court September 19, which is not possible since I am going to college 600 miles away. I will pay the $200, but do I need to make some sort of arrangement with the court to keep from having to go to Illinois or will paying the ticket take care of that?

In Illinois you usually just have to mail the thing in 10 days before the date on your ticket.

If you are sure that there were no construction workers there at the time you might want to fight it. Or at least investimigate[sic].

[URL=http://www.legis.state.il.us/legislation/ilcs/ilcs4.asp?DocName=062500050HCh%2E+11+Art%2E+VI&ActID=1815&ChapAct=625%26nbsp%3BILCS%26nbsp%3B5%2F&Ch apterID=49&ChapterName=VEHICLES&SectionID=59647&SeqStart=124600&SeqEnd=126500&ActName=Illinois+Vehic le+Code%2E]Excerpts from the Illinois Compiled Statutes[/URL]
"(625 ILCS 5/11‑605) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 11‑605)
(Text of Section from P.A. 92‑619)
Sec. 11‑605. Special speed limit while passing schools or while traveling through highway construction or maintenance zones.
....
(b) No person shall operate a motor vehicle in a construction or maintenance zone at a speed in excess of the posted speed limit when workers are present and so close to the moving traffic that a potential hazard exists because of the motorized traffic.
....
(d) For the purpose of this Section, a construction or maintenance zone is an area in which the Department, Toll Highway Authority, or local agency has determined that the preexisting established speed limit through a highway construction or maintenance project is greater than is reasonable or safe with respect to the conditions expected to exist in the construction or maintenance zone and has posted a lower speed limit with a highway construction or maintenance zone special speed limit sign.
Highway construction or maintenance zone special speed limit signs shall be of a design approved by the Department. The signs shall give proper due warning that a construction or maintenance zone is being approached and shall indicate the maximum speed limit in effect. The signs shall also state the amount of the minimum fine for a violation when workers are present. "