Transportation

Amends the Eminent Domain Act. Authorizes quick-take proceedings by the Village of Hoffman Estates for a period of one year after the effective date of the amendatory Act for the acquisition of specified property for the purpose of constructing improvements on portions of Shoe Factory Road from Essex Drive to Beverly Road, along with portions of Beverly Road and Rohrssen Road connecting to Shoe Factory Road. Repeals the provisions 2 years after the effective date of the amendatory Act. Effective immediately.

HB 4442 extends the expiration date for the High Speed Rail Commission Act from January 1, 2027, to January 1, 2030. This bill directly affects the High Speed Rail Commission by allowing it to continue operating for an additional three years. The key provision is a simple date adjustment in the statute, with no new requirements or changes to the Commission's responsibilities. The law takes effect immediately upon enactment, as specified in the bill text.

Amends the School Code. Requires each school district to include in its handbook for grades kindergarten through 12 railroad safety messaging. Allows a school to opt-out of the messaging requirement if the school district votes that the inclusion of such messaging is unnecessary.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that, for each violation of a provision of the Code or a local ordinance recorded by an automated traffic law enforcement system, the county or municipality having jurisdiction shall issue a written notice of the violation to the registered owner of the vehicle who shall be liable for the violation unless otherwise provided. Provides that the notice shall be delivered to the registered vehicle owner within 30 days after the municipality or county confirms the identity of the owner of the vehicle (rather than 30 days after the Secretary of State notifies the municipality or county of the identity of the owner of the vehicle), but in no event later than 90 days after the violation. Provides that there shall be a rebuttable presumption that a school bus was stopped for the purpose of receiving or discharging pupils and the visual signals were in operation on the school bus when recorded images produced by an automated traffic law enforcement system show: (1) an activated stop signal arm; and (2) an electronic indicator indicating activation of school bus visual signals. Provides that the motor vehicle owner is subject to a mandatory civil penalty of $300 (rather than a penalty not exceeding $150) for a first time violation or $1,000 (rather than a penalty not exceeding $500) for a second or subsequent violation.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that for the purpose of providing the Secretary of State with records necessary to impose a revocation, upon filing with the clerk of court, the clerk shall forward in a manner and form prescribed by the Secretary (i) a copy of a Uniform Citation and Complaint where the officer indicated a crash type of fatal, (ii) a copy of information or an indictment in which a person is charged with a violation of the Code that resulted in the death of another person, or (iii) a copy of information or an indictment in which a person is charged with reckless homicide. Allows the Secretary to adopt rules to implement the provisions. Provides that the Act may be referred to as the Protz-Liddy Act. Effective January 1, 2027.

Appropriates $2 from the General Revenue Fund to the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority for its FY26 ordinary and contingent expenses. Effective July 1, 2025.

Appropriates $2 from the General Revenue Fund to the Department of Transportation for its FY26 ordinary and contingent expenses. Effective July 1, 2025.

Expresses strong support for the American High Speed Rail Act of 2026 and commends Illinois congressional delegation members for their leadership as original cosponsors of this landmark legislation. Urges the United States Congress to advance and pass the American High Speed Rail Act of 2026 and to ensure that any federal surface transportation reauthorization package includes substantial, dedicated funding for high-speed and higher-speed rail development nationwide. Calls upon the Trump administration to include robust funding for high-speed rail in its federal budget proposals. Affirms support for the ongoing work of the Illinois High Speed Rail Commission and the Illinois Department of Transportation in developing a statewide high-speed rail plan. Recognizes this state-level planning effort represents the kind of serious groundwork that merits strong federal investment.

Recognizes the current impact and potential for future growth of the off-highway vehicle tourism industry in State of Illinois. Encourages all stakeholders and state agencies to continue fostering the growth of the off-highway vehicle tourism industry by working together to develop new opportunities for the enjoyment of off-highway vehicles in Illinois.

Amends the Department of Transportation Law. Provides that, in counties with a population of more than 3,000,000, a lease for pedestrian infrastructure over a State highway initially entered into within one year after the effective date of the amendatory Act may be for a period of time no longer than 35 years. Provides that the land or property shall be leased by the Department of Transportation at fair market value and meet all other statutory requirements.