Transportation

Creates the Transit-Oriented Overlay and Opportunity Retail Integration Zoning Act. Provides that the area located within a one-mile radius of a transit-oriented development is an ORI zone. Provides that the ORI zone is created automatically by operation of law. Provides that, if a conflict exists between the provisions of the ORI zone and a county or municipality, then the provisions of the ORI zone shall control. Provides that, within the ORI zone, the following uses shall be permitted by right: (1) retail, restaurant, and personal service establishments; (2) office, professional, medical, and administrative uses; (3) residential uses of all types, including single-family, multifamily, and mixed-use residential; (4) light manufacturing, research and development, storage warehousing, maker spaces, and innovation or technology-oriented industrial uses that do not involve heavy industrial processes; (5) institutional, educational, cultural, and governmental uses; (6) lodging and hospitality uses; (7) structured and accessory parking facilities; and (8) any other substantially similar use. Provides that a county or a municipality may enforce objective development standards applicable within the ORI zone. Provides that, if a county or municipality does not approve a proposal for a development in an ORI zone for a use that is permitted within an ORI zone within 90 days after receiving the application for the project, then the development proposal is deemed approved. Limits home rule powers. Effective January 1, 2026.

Amends the Cycle Rider Safety Training Act. Provides that any business registered as a motorcycle dealer with the Secretary of State or any other business that derives income from the selling of motorcycles or has motorcycles for sale at its place of business on a consignment basis is not eligible for grant funds or reimbursements. Makes conforming changes.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Hijacking and Motor Vehicle Theft Prevention and Insurance Verification Act. Provides that each self-insured commercial vehicle rental company may collect and shall pay into the Vehicle Hijacking and Motor Vehicle Theft Prevention and Insurance Verification Trust Fund an amount equal to $1.00, or a lesser amount determined by the Illinois Vehicle Hijacking and Motor Vehicle Theft Prevention and Insurance Verification Council, multiplied by each car rental contract providing physical damage insurance coverage written by it in the State during the preceding calendar year. Effective January 1, 2027.

Amends the Equipment of Vehicles Chapter of the Illinois Vehicle Code to create the Autonomous Vehicles Article. Establishes requirements for the operation of autonomous vehicles on public roads for testing purposes by a driver who possesses the proper class of license for the type of vehicle being operated. Allows the Secretary of State Vehicle Services Department to adopt various rules regarding the operation and manufacture of autonomous vehicles. Includes requirements for manufacturers of autonomous vehicles. Requires a notice of autonomous vehicle noncompliance for violations of the Code or local traffic ordinances. Sets forth prohibitions for dealers and manufacturers.

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.

Urges for the support and passage of the federal Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act, which offers a permanent, national solution to allow the year-round, nationwide sale of E-15 fuel blends.

Amends the Transportation Network Providers Act. Sets forth additional requirements for transportation network company drivers who provide services for students to or from school, school-related activities, or school-sanctioned activities. Provides that the Act, a municipal ordinance regulating transportation network providers, and any contract between a school or school district and the TNC shall exclusively govern the school TNC services. Effective immediately.

SB 4163 allocates state funds for capital projects (like infrastructure and buildings) during the fiscal year starting July 1, 2026. It directly affects state agencies that manage capital construction and maintenance by providing budget authority for their projects. The bill makes specific funding assignments without creating new taxes or changing existing laws, simply directing how existing budget resources will be used for capital needs. This is a routine budget measure to support state facility investments.

Creates the Make-Ready Infrastructure Rules Act. Sets forth findings. Defines terms. Provides that an electric utility shall propose a new rule, before the electric utility submits its next Multi-Year Integrated Rate Plan, that authorizes the electric utility to design and deploy all electrical distribution infrastructure on the utility side of the meter for all customers who have installed separately metered or submetered infrastructure to support electric vehicle charging stations, other than charging stations in single-family residences. Provides that an electric utility shall recover its revenue requirement for the design and deployment of such electrical distribution infrastructure through periodic Multi-Year Integrated Rate Plan proceedings or through other methods determined by the Commission by rule. Provides that the Commission shall require an electric utility to provide an accurate and full accounting of all the electric utility's expenses related to electrical distribution infrastructure and shall apply appropriate penalties to an electric utility that is not accurately tracking all expenses. Provides that the new proposed rule, once effective, shall be offered to customers as an alternative to the transmission line extension rules in place as of the effective date of the Act for electric vehicle infrastructure and any customer allowances established under the rule shall be based on the full useful life of the electrical distribution infrastructure. Makes other changes.

Amends the Department of Transportation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Requires the Department of Transportation to develop an intercity grid bus pilot program that offers free and fast buses that interconnect cities, suburbs, and townships across the State. Provides that the amendatory Act may be referred to as the Free and Fast Buses Act.