HB4279 - 104th General Assembly (2025-2026)

PASSENGER RAIL PLANNING ACT
Last Action
1/14/2026 - House: Referred to Rules Committee
Statutes Amended In Order of Appearance
New Act  
Synopsis As Introduced
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.
Actions
DateChamberAction
1/05/2026HouseFiled with the Clerk by Rep. Rita Mayfield
1/09/2026HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Kam Buckner
1/14/2026HouseFirst Reading
1/14/2026HouseReferred to Rules Committee
1/20/2026HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Debbie Meyers-Martin
1/21/2026HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. La Shawn K. Ford