Transportation

Amends the Department of Transportation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Requires the Department of Transportation to accept a request for proposal for a quick-build infrastructure as an alternative for an infrastructure project. Provides that an accepted quick-build infrastructure may include a cycle lane segregator or other temporary infrastructure solution. Sets forth cycle lane segregator specifications.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Allows a municipality with a population of 1,000,000 or more to use an automated traffic law enforcement system to record and enforce violations related to traffic obstruction. Provides that for each violation recorded by an automated traffic law enforcement system, the municipality having jurisdiction shall issue a written notice of violation to the registered owner by mail within 30 days after the Secretary of State identifies the owner, but no later than 90 days after the violation. Sets forth defenses for a violation. Provides that unless the driver received a Uniform Traffic Citation from a police officer at the time of the violation, the motor vehicle owner is subject to a civil penalty not exceeding $100, or the completion of a traffic education program, or both, plus an additional penalty of not more than $100 for failure to pay the original penalty or complete a required program in a timely manner. Requires each intersection monitored by an automated traffic law enforcement system to have a posted sign visible to approaching traffic indicating that automated enforcement is in use. Provides that compensation paid for an automated traffic law enforcement system must be based on the value of the equipment or services provided and may not be based on the number of citations issued or the revenue generated. Prohibits a member of the General Assembly and officer or employee of a municipality or county from knowingly accepting employment or receiving compensation or fees for services from a vendor that provides automated traffic law enforcement system equipment or services to municipalities or counties. Allows the Secretary to adopt rules necessary to implement the provisions. Makes other changes.

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.

Creates the Green Light for Buses Act. Establishes the Committee on Efficient Arterial Signal Infrastructure to make recommendations to improve public transit efficiency via improvements to traffic signal infrastructure. Publishes a report to the Department of Transportation for inclusion in the Public Transportation Plan. Grants implementing authority. Defines terms. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Highway Code. Provides that any applicant for a permit for an entrance or exit to a subdivision for affordable housing developments may request in writing from the Department of Transportation an expedited review of the application for a permit. Provides that an applicant requesting expedited review shall pay to the Department an expedited permit fee of $10,000, which shall be deposited into the Road Fund. Provides that if the Department fails to complete an expedited review within the period of time agreed upon by the Department and the applicant, the applicant shall be entitled to a refund of the expedited permit fee on a prorated basis. Provides that the provisions do not apply to applications related to emergency events necessitating immediate action by the Department on permit applications. Allows the Department to adopt rules to implement the provisions.

Creates the Illinois Railway Safety Act of 2026. Requires a locomotive engineer to be present in the locomotive cab of every train operating on a line and to be capable of taking control of the operation of the train in the event of a safety issue occurring. Requires a locomotive engineer to take full control of the train when a safety issue occurs in order to mitigate the safety issue and any safety risks. Requires the Illinois Commerce Commission to work with each railroad company to ensure that wayside detector systems are installed and operating along railroad tracks on which the railroad operates and to ensure that specified standards are met. Sets forth investigation and reporting requirements for the Commission and the Department of Transportation if a railroad company refuses to work or otherwise cooperate with the Commission. Sets forth wayside detector system installation distance requirements, waivers, and exemptions. Provides that when a wayside detector system detects a defect, if the message regarding the defect is not immediately sent to the operator, the person that receives the message shall immediately notify the operator of the defect. Requires visual inspections not less than twice a week for all main track designated within the State for operation at class III carrier speeds or higher. Allows the Commission to enforce the Act, which may include civil penalties for a violation of the Act. Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that if a driver is involved in a collision at a grade crossing resulting in the injury or fatality of a railway worker, that driver shall have the driver's driving privileges suspended for a period of not less than 6 months up to revocation. Prohibits a railroad from operating on any main line or any other line any train which exceeds 8,500 feet in length.

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.

Amends the Regional Transportation Authority Act. Provides that the Northern Illinois Transit Authority may not withdraw moneys from the Authority's ADA Paratransit Fund unless the Authority: (1) implements a program to collect data about the reliability of paratransit services that evaluates each driver's performance; (2) requires regular training sessions, including training to assist visually impaired and deaf riders traveling door-to-door, for drivers who received poor evaluations; and (3) requires all reservation methods to permit caregivers to book rides for visually impaired and deaf riders.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. With regard to automated speed enforcement systems in safety zones, provides that "safety zone" does not include any roadway in which the 30 mile per hour speed limit is decreased by local ordinance without an engineering or traffic investigation. Provides that a local authority or park district shall determine and declare by ordinance a reasonable and safe absolute maximum speed which: decreases the limit within an urban district which shall not require an engineering or traffic investigation to a maximum speed limit of 25 miles per hour, but not less than 20 miles per hour and a maximum speed limit of 10 miles per hour in an alley; increases the limit within an urban district, but not to more than 55 miles per hour, if after increasing the limit within an urban district an engineering or traffic investigation is required to decrease the limit; or decreases the limit within a residence district which shall not require an engineering or traffic investigation to a maximum speed limit of 20 (rather than not to less than 25) miles per hour. Requires a park district, city, village, incorporated town, or county board to post a sign designating the new speed limit. Makes other changes.

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.