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.

Amends the Department of Transportation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Requires the Department of Transportation to create an expedited process for municipalities or counties to submit a request for an expedited review for intersections on State roads.

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 a person who is less than 16 years of age may ride as a passenger on a Class 3 low-speed electric bicycle that is designed to accommodate passengers if the operator is 18 years of age or older.

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.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Establishes the Intelligent Speed Assistance Program to supervise the installation and compliance of intelligent speed assistance systems. Sets forth requirements for the Secretary of State upon receipt of notice from a court that a person is required to enroll in the Program. Provides that a person enrolled in the Program shall install a certified intelligent speed assistance system on each motor vehicle owned by or registered to the person and shall not operate any motor vehicle that is not equipped with a functioning, certified intelligent speed assistance system. Provides that if a person fails to comply with the requirements of the Program, the Secretary may: suspend the person's restricted driver's license for a period and, following the period of suspension, permit the person to reenroll in the Program; revoke the person's restricted driver's license and prohibit the person from reenrolling in the Program; or impose a civil penalty. Provides that a person enrolled in the Program shall pay all costs associated with enrollment and participation in the Program, unless the person is found to be indigent. Provides that the Zero Traffic Fatalities Task Force shall certify intelligent speed assistance systems for use in the State and adopt rules and forms for the installation, maintenance, and certification of intelligent speed assistance systems. Sets forth requirements for selling or leasing intelligent speed assistance systems. Requires a manufacturer or distributor of an intelligent speed assistance system to provide support services. Prohibits a person from tampering with, or in any way attempting to circumvent, bypass, or tamper with the operation of, an intelligent speed assistance system that has been installed in a motor vehicle. Requires the Task Force to adopt rules and forms as are necessary to implement the Program. Makes conforming changes in the Code and in the Department of Transportation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Effective January 1, 2027.

Creates the Passenger Rail Planning Act. Sets forth intercity passenger rail routes serving or originating in the State. Requires the Department of Transportation to incorporate the aspirational frequencies into the Illinois State Rail Plan and the Long-Range Statewide Transportation Plan. Authorizes the Department to nominate corridors for inclusion in the Federal Railroad Administration's Corridor Identification and Development Program and enter into memoranda of understanding or other cooperative agreements for each identified interstate corridor to provide for shared data, joint investment prioritization, and aligned performance measures and planning schedules. Requires the Department to include a recurring section titled Progress Toward High-Speed and Intercity Passenger Rail within each update to the Illinois State Rail Plan and Statewide Transportation Improvement Program. Requires each Metropolitan Planning Organization in the State to: (1) recognize the target intercity and long-distance passenger rail frequencies; (2) identify relevant rail corridors within or adjacent to the Metropolitan Planning Organization planning area; and (3) include a narrative discussion of how regional transportation investments can support achievement of those frequency targets. Requires the Department and each Metropolitan Planning Organization to consider progress toward the target passenger rail frequencies when developing project prioritization criteria for multimodal investments. Contains other provisions. Effective immediately.

Bill AM 1040198 nominates Arnaldo Rivera for a position. If approved, Mr. Rivera would be appointed as a Member and Chair of the Illinois State Highway Authority.