Transportation

Amends the Public Construction Bond Act. Provides that the Department of Transportation and the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority shall require every contractor for public works to furnish, supply, and deliver a bond if the public works contract will cost more than $10,000,000 (currently, $500,000). Provides that local governmental units shall require a bond for public works projects costing over $5,000,000 (currently, $150,000) and may require a bond for public works projects valued at $5,000,000 or less (currently, $150,000 or less). Provides that certain bonding requirements apply until January 1, 2034 (currently, January 1, 2029).

Creates the Automated Driving Systems Development Act. Provides that the operation of highly automated vehicles participating in an automated vehicle pilot project is subject to all applicable federal and State laws. Sets forth eligibility requirements for participation in an automated vehicle pilot project. Establishes the application process for participation in an automated vehicle pilot project. Creates a review committee within the Department of Transportation. Requires the Secretary of State to develop a driving test to evaluate the capability of highly automated vehicles to safely operate on State roads. Sets forth permit requirements and requirements concerning the suspension, revocation, and reinstatement of a permit. Creates reporting and data sharing requirements. Contains other provisions. Effective immediately.

Makes appropriations for the ordinary and contingent expenses of the Department of Transportation for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026, as follows: Other State Funds $5,760,285,739; Federal Funds $14,911,796; Total $5,775,197,535.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Prohibits a person from operating or causing to be operated on a highway in the course of the person's employment a vehicle owned by the person's employer: (1) with a cargo area loaded with construction material, when any portion of the load is falling, sifting, blowing, dropping or in any way escaping from the vehicle; or (2) with a tailgate transporting construction material unless the tailgate on the vehicle is in good working repair, good operating condition, and closes securely, with a cover or tarpaulin of sufficient size attached, so as to prevent any load, residue, or other material from escaping. Provides that if another person's vehicle is damaged due to a violation of the provision, the owner of the vehicle involved in the violation shall be responsible for compensating the other person in an amount equal to the amount needed to repair the other person's vehicle.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Allows a State entity to prohibit the use of low-speed electric bicycles or a specific class of low-speed electric bicycles on any bicycle path the State entity has jurisdiction over.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Changes the definition of "electric personal assistive mobility device" to mean a self-balancing 2 non-tandem wheeled device lacking pedals designed to transport only one person that is battery-powered or has an electric propulsion system that limits the maximum speed of the device to 15 miles per hour or less. Includes in the definition of "electric personal assistive mobility device" a device that is currently out-of-class. Excludes from the definition of "electric personal assistive mobility device" a low-speed electric bicycle, low-speed scooter, motorcycle, or motor vehicle.

Appropriates $250,000 to the Department of Transportation for expenses relating to the operations of the Ste. Genevieve – Modoc River Ferry. Effective July 1, 2026.

Amends the Procurement Code. Requires bidders that respond to solicitations issued on or after January 1, 2027 for master contracts for the purchase of vehicles to submit an Illinois Jobs Plan that meets certain requirements. Amends the Electric Vehicle Rebate Act. Provides that, beginning July 1, 2027, changes electric vehicle rebates and requires Illinois residency and changes the luxury and low efficiency vehicle fee. Amends the Toll Highway Act. Requires the Toll Highway Authority to build at least 4 150 kW fast charging ports by 2027, expand to 8 ports by 2029 and 16 ports by 2031. Amends the Vehicle Code. Requires the Illinois Commerce Commission to establish biennial reporting for large fleets beginning in 2027. Amends the Electric Vehicle Charging Act. Provides that units of local government may grant exceptions if utility upgrades would materially increase construction costs, but EV capable spaces cannot fall below certain levels. Provides that Tenants and condominium owners may install Level 1, Low Power Level 2, or Level 2 charging systems at their own expense, subject to reasonable restrictions. Amends the State Mandates Act. Provides that State mandates created by the amendatory Act requires no reimbursement to units of local governments. Amends the Retailer Occupation Tax Act, the Service Use Tax Act, the Service Occupation Tax Act, and the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act to make other changes. Effective immediately.

Amends the Interagency Coordinating Committee on Transit Innovation, Integration, and Reform Act. Provides that the member appointed to the Committee to represent individuals with disabilities shall either be an individual with a disability or an individual who has demonstrated experience advocating for and advancing the accessibility and transportation needs of individuals with disabilities. Amends the Metropolitan Transit Authority Act. Provides that one of the members of the Board of the Chicago Transit Authority shall be a person with a disability who lives within the Authority's service area and uses the services provided by the Authority. Amends the Regional Transportation Authority Act. Provides that one of the Directors of the Board of the Northern Illinois Transit Authority shall be a person with a disability with expertise in transportation and shall be appointed with the advice and recommendation of a disability advocacy organization serving the Metropolitan Region. Provides that one of the directors of the Suburban Bus Board shall be the Commissioner of the City of Chicago's Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities (rather than appointed by the Mayor of Chicago). Provides that one of the directors of the Commuter Rail Board shall be a person with a disability who uses the services provided by the Commuter Rail Division and appointed with the advice and recommendation of a disability advocacy organization serving the Metropolitan Region. Provides that the Chicago Transit Authority, the Suburban Bus Board, and the Commuter Rail Board shall each establish and maintain an ADA Advisory Committee to advise the Chicago Transit Authority, the Suburban Bus Board, or the Commuter Rail Board on accessibility and compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 as it relates to fixed route and paratransit service.

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.