Transportation

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 Department of Transportation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that the Department of transportation shall develop a statewide bicycle grid network of State bicycle routes to include greenspace and protected bicycle routes connecting major cities, suburbs, and townships across the State. Allows the Department to adopt rules on how best to accomplish the development of a bicycle grid network and the necessary steps to develop a bicycle grid network.

Urges commercial airlines operating in the United States to adopt reasonable minimum passenger seating standards that reflect modern body dimensions and support basic comfort, safety, and mobility for the general public. Calls upon federal aviation and transportation regulators to study and establish minimum standards for seat width, legroom, and pitch informed by public health data, disability access considerations, and passenger safety research. Encourages airlines to ensure seating practices do not discriminate against or unduly burden passengers with disabilities or health-related needs, and that reasonable accommodation not be treated as a premium add-on. Urges greater pricing and seating transparency, including clear disclosure of seat dimensions and legroom at the time of ticket purchase, so consumers can make informed travel decisions without surprise fees.

Amends the Motor Fuel Tax Law. Provides that the monthly amount transferred from the Motor Fuel Tax Fund to the Grade Crossing Protection Fund shall be increased in each fiscal year by the percentage increase, if any, in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers for the most recent 12-month period for which data is available on July 1 of the fiscal year for which the monthly grade crossing protection amount is calculated. Effective immediately.

Amends the Counties Code, the Illinois Municipal Code, and the Township Code. Provides that, if a county, township, or municipality offers microtransit services, then the county must provide riders with a method to prepay for the microtransit service with a smartphone application.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Requires every rail carrier operating within the State to install, operate, and maintain pedestrian crossing gates at every grade crossing located within 1.5 miles of a school. Provides that the Illinois Commerce Commission shall have the authority to (i) determine the number, type, and location of the signs, signals, gates, or other protective devices and (ii) prescribe the division of the cost of the installation and subsequent maintenance of the signs, signals, gates, or other protective devices between the rail carrier or carriers, the public highway authority or other public authority in interest, and, in instances involving the use of the Grade Crossing Protection Fund, the Department of Transportation.

Creates the Autonomous Vehicle Pilot Project Act. Provides that in order to commence an autonomous vehicle pilot project, a person must provide to the Department of Transportation a statement that sets forth the operational design domain for an autonomous vehicle pilot project. Provides that the operational design domain for an autonomous vehicle pilot project must be confined to counties having or exceeding a population of 1,000,000 individuals, as determined by the most recent federal decennial census, Sangamon County, or the counties of Madison, St. Clair, and Monroe. Allows the Department to authorize the statewide deployment of autonomous vehicles beyond the operational design domain after a period of 3 years following the effective date of the Act, as long as the Department determines the pilot projects conducted have demonstrated safety and operational readiness. Sets forth the conditions a person must meet to operate an autonomous vehicle on the public roads of the State with the automated driving system engaged. Requires a person to obtain authorization from the Department to operate an autonomous vehicle on the public roads of the State. Includes provisions regarding licensing, duties following crashes involving autonomous vehicles, registration and title, operation of a motor vehicle with an automated driving system by a human driver, vehicle equipment standards, evaluation data, the controlling authority, and home rule. Repeals the Act on January 1, 2029. Makes conforming changes to the Illinois Vehicle Code and the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act. Effective immediately.

SB 2825 extends the expiration date of Illinois' High Speed Rail Commission Act from January 1, 2027, to January 1, 2030. This procedural bill directly affects the High Speed Rail Commission by delaying its automatic termination for three additional years. The key provision simply amends Section 20 of the Act to change the repeal date, with no new requirements or funding. The change takes effect immediately upon enactment, allowing the Commission to continue operations through 2029. This is a technical adjustment to existing law, not a substantive policy change.

Amends the County Motor Fuel Tax Law in the Counties Code. Provides that any county (currently, DuPage, Kane, Lake, Will, and McHenry counties only) may impose a tax upon all persons engaged in the business of selling motor fuel. Provides that, in addition to other uses currently allowed by law, the proceeds from the tax shall be used for the purpose of maintaining and constructing essential transportation-related infrastructure.

Amends the School Code. Requires each school district maintaining any elementary grades to provide its public school pupils enrolled in kindergarten through grade 8 with age-appropriate, active-transportation safety training. Sets forth the requirements for the active-transportation safety training. Allows a nonpublic school maintaining any elementary grades to provide its nonpublic school pupils enrolled in kindergarten through grade 8 with active-transportation safety training. Requires the Secretary of Transportation to maintain a comprehensive collection of active-transportation safety training materials. Makes other changes.