Transportation

Amends the Department of Transportation Law. Provides that, in counties with a population of more than 3,000,000, a lease for pedestrian infrastructure over a State highway initially entered into within one year after the effective date of the amendatory Act may be for a period of time no longer than 35 years. Provides that the land or property shall be leased by the Department of Transportation at fair market value and meet all other statutory requirements.

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 Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that if a graduated driver's license holder who is under the age of 18 is convicted of violating State law while operating a motor vehicle with more than one passenger in the vehicle who is under the age of 20, unless any additional passenger or passengers are siblings, step-siblings, children, or stepchildren of the driver, and that results in bodily harm, permanent disability, or death to another, the graduated license shall be suspended for 6 months. Effective immediately.

Creates the Electric Transmission Colocation and Siting Priority Act. Defines terms. Requires that, in the siting of new electric transmission facilities, available corridors be used in the following order of priority: (1) existing public utility corridors; (2) State highway corridors; and (3) new corridors. Provides that a public utility or transmission developer may construct, place, or maintain a high-voltage transmission line on a public right-of-way or along a highway if (i) the public utility or transmission developer submits a colocation request for the high-voltage transmission line to the Secretary of Transportation and (ii) the Secretary reviews and approves the colocation request. Provides that the Secretary may deny a colocation request if the Secretary determines that the construction, placement, or maintenance of a high-voltage transmission line on a public right-of-way or along a highway would endanger public safety or would interfere with the proper function of the highway. Provides that a public utility or transmission developer may submit a written request to the Department of Transportation for an evaluation of certain corridors for possible locations for a high-voltage transmission line. Provides that, within 30 days after receipt of a written request, the Secretary shall assign a project coordinator to the request. Provides that a project coordinator, upon assignment to a request, shall begin the evaluation in coordination with the applicable public utility or transmission developer. Requires a public utility or transmission developer to develop a constructability report in consultation with the Department and requires the public utility or transmission developer and the Department to follow the terms and conditions of the constructability report during the planning and approval process for the siting of a high-voltage transmission line. Sets forth requirements for the content of the constructability report. Provides that, if the Department requires that a high-voltage transmission line on a public right-of-way be relocated by a specific date, the Department shall give the applicable public utility or transmission developer notice of the required relocation no less than 10 years before the date of the required relocation. Makes other changes. Effective January 1, 2027.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Removes the requirements that a non-highway vehicle is required to have a red reflectorized warning device in the front and a slow moving emblem on the rear. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Establishes that a municipality that operates an automated speed enforcement system shall set aside 10% of the net proceeds from each system that generates more than $500,000 in revenue for the respective school district or park district in the safety zone in which the automated speed enforcement system is located. Provides that the set aside proceeds may be allocated for any purpose designated by the school district or park district. Set forth home rule provisions.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that a person operating a bicycle on the roadways of this State shall not be prohibited from side-by-side riding, riding contraflow on one-way streets, and rolling through stop signs at clear intersections.

Amends the Department of Transportation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Requires, by August 1 of each calendar year, the Department of Transportation to make a report in writing to the Governor and the General Assembly, stating in detail the Department's efforts in the prior fiscal year to fill open mechanics positions. Requires the Department to establish and maintain a goal of filling at least 85% of all authorized and budgeted mechanic positions within the Department in each fiscal year. Requires the General Assembly to review the report and may request additional information or hold hearings regarding the Department's staffing levels, recruitment strategies, and efforts to meet the 85% workforce goal.

Calls on President Trump to unfreeze all promised funding for a Red Line train extension on Chicago's South Side. Failing to release the promised funding, condemns President Trump's actions as motivated by spite, counter to the cause of a fairer and more economically strong Illinois, and in direct opposition to his purported goal of "making America great". Expresses support for transit for historically underserved communities and the rights of diverse contractors.

Amends the Right-of-Way Article of the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that the driver of a vehicle shall yield the right-of-way to any authorized emergency vehicle obviously and actually engaged in work upon a highway, whether stationary or not, and displaying flashing lights as provided in the Act. Provides that the driver of a vehicle shall yield the right-of-way to an emergency worker obviously and actually engaged in work upon a highway at an emergency scene, and the driver of a vehicle shall yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian upon a highway directly involved in the emergency scene. Makes corresponding changes to penalty provisions.