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.

Amends the Department of Transportation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Requires the Department of Transportation to work with the State Fire Marshal to develop best practices when constructing or reconstructing roadways to accommodate firefighter vehicles in turning and accessing roadways for emergencies. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Provides that a taxpayer that incurs qualified infrastructure costs in connection with the sale at a qualified retail motor fuel facility in the State of biodiesel, higher blends of ethanol fuel, and renewable diesel is allowed an income tax credit in an amount equal to 30% of those qualified infrastructure costs. Provides that the credit may not exceed $200,000 per qualified facility and $1,000,000 per taxpayer per taxable year. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Procurement Code. Provides that the Code does not apply to contracts arising from a grant award if the contract is with a partner whose specific experience and expertise was used as a condition of securing the grant and followed the selection provisions outlined in the grant application. Provides that the chief procurement officer appointed by the Secretary of Transportation is the chief procurement officer for procurements related to construction support and the purchase of rolling stock under the jurisdiction of the Department of Transportation. Amends the Governmental Joint Purchasing Act. Provides for the use of joint purchasing for contracts procured by agencies of other states.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that if a person who is convicted of violating a speed restriction is found to have driven a vehicle upon a highway at a speed greater than 100 miles per hour, the court shall order that the person have installed an intelligent speed assistance device in any motor vehicle owned or operated by the person for at least 12 months or for the duration of the license suspension or revocation, whichever is longer. Requires the person to provide proof of installation. Requires the person to request permission to remove the intelligent speed assistance device at the end of the mandated period of use. Provides that the cost of installing and maintaining an intelligent speed assistance device shall be incurred by the person subject to the requirement unless the court or the Secretary of State determines that the person is financially unable to afford the cost, in which case the cost may be waived. Requires the Secretary to create a list of approved intelligent speed assistance devices and a list of service providers that are qualified to install, service, inspect, and remove an approved intelligent speed assistance device. Prohibits a person from tampering with or circumventing an otherwise operable intelligent speed assistance device. Provides that violating the provisions, or assisting another person to violate the provisions, is a Class A misdemeanor. Requires the Secretary to submit a report every 24 months to the Governor and the General Assembly with information about the intelligent speed assistance device mandates. Creates the Indigent Intelligent Speed Assistance Device Fund. Sets forth exemptions for a person who is required to use an intelligent speed assistance device and must drive an employer-owned vehicle in the course of the person's employment duties. Makes a conforming change in the State Finance Act.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Allows a home rule unit to install an automated speed enforcement system within the home rule unit. Requires a non-home rule unit to provide a referendum to install an automated speed enforcement system within the non-home rule unit. Provides that any funds collected from a violation of an automated speed enforcement system shall be remitted to the Department of Revenue to be used for any property tax relief program within the home rule unit or non-home rule unit where the violation occurred.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that the provision regarding automated speed enforcement systems in safety zones applies only to municipalities with a population of 25,000 (rather than 1,000,000) or more inhabitants in a county with a population of 3,000,000 or more inhabitants.