RAIL CROSSING BLOCKING House SponsorsRep. Kelly M. Burke-Frances Ann Hurley, Linda Chapa LaVia, Natalie A. Manley, Stephanie A. Kifowit, Deb Conroy, Margo McDermed, David B. Reis, Al Riley and Thaddeus Jones 1/10/2017HouseSession Sine Die New Act20 ILCS 2705/2705-435was 20 ILCS 2705/49.25g-130 ILCS 105/5.866 new625 ILCS 5/18c-7402from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 18c-7402 Creates the Rail Crossing Blocking Act. Requires the Illinois Commerce Commission and the Department of Transportation to annually study railroad crossings in municipalities of 100,000 or more to identify crossings which if blocked for longer than 10 minutes would pose significant public safety concerns by impeding emergency, fire, and police. A municipality, under 100,000, may petition to have a crossing included in the study. The Commission shall use the study to designate Essential Rail Crossings. Provides a person or entity may not physically block an Essential Rail Crossing in a manner which obstructs traffic for a period longer than 10 minutes or in excess of a total of 10 minutes during a 30 minute period in a municipality in a county of more than 1,000,000, unless the blocking of the crossing is by reason of circumstances over which the person or entity has no reasonable control, is necessary for maintenance of the crossing, or is otherwise allowed or required under State or federal law, rule, or regulation. Provides exemptions and a petty offense penalty for blocking 15 minutes or less and a business offense penalty for blocking exceeding 15 minutes. Provides graduated fines and that all fines collected shall be deposited into the Rail Crossing Blocking Fund. Amends the Department of Transportation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Allows the Department to grant funds to any railroad, rail user, or owner or lessee of a railroad right-of-way for improvement or construction of railroad crossings, but only those not in violation of the Rail Crossing Blocking Act or those agreeing to reduce violations of the Act. Amends the State Finance Act and the Illinois Vehicle Code to make conforming changes. 1/28/2015HouseFiled with the Clerk by Rep. Kelly M. Burke 1/30/2015HouseFirst Reading 1/30/2015HouseReferred to Rules Committee 2/4/2015HouseAdded Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Frances Ann Hurley 2/6/2015HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Linda Chapa LaVia 2/13/2015HouseAssigned to Transportation: Regulation, Roads & Bridges Committee 2/18/2015HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Natalie A. Manley 2/18/2015HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Stephanie A. Kifowit 2/18/2015HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Deb Conroy 2/25/2015HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Margo McDermed 2/25/2015HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. David B. Reis 3/6/2015HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Al Riley 3/17/2015HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Thaddeus Jones 3/27/2015HouseRule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee 1/10/2017HouseSession Sine Die