The General Assembly has adjourned for the summer. Below are key bills passed by both the House and Senate. The NWMC Legislative Update contains a full review of the bills passed in the General Assembly.
SB 3484: E-MOBILITY LEGISLATION
Sponsor: Sen. Ram Villivalam, Rep. Barabara Hernandez
Synopsis: Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Sets forth titling requirements for (i) a motor driven cycle that is powered by an electric motor with a nominal power rating of greater than 750 watts but less than or equal to 8,000 watts and (ii) a gas-powered bicycle capable of operating at speeds greater than 28 miles per hour. Excludes electric micromobility devices from titling, registration, license or permit, and liability insurance policy requirements. Establishes signage requirements notifying users of areas where the operation of motor driven cycles is strictly prohibited. Sets forth the operation of toy vehicles, motor driven cycles, and electric micromobility devices in the State. Prohibits low-speed gas bicycles and low-speed electric bicycles from being operated by a person under the age of 18 with a passenger unless the passenger is a sibling, stepsibling, child, or stepchild of the operator. Establishes where a low-speed gas bicycle may be operated. Allows the Department of Natural Resources and park districts, forest preserve districts, conservation districts, and transit districts to regulate the use of low-speed electric bicycles on their properties. Defines terms. Makes other changes. Makes conforming changes in the Micromobility Fire Safety Act and the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act. Effective January 1, 2027.
Status: Passed House 84-16, Senate concurred 48-7
HB 2335: NITA TRAILER BILL
Sponsor: Rep. Eva-Dina Delgado, Sen. Ram Villivalam
Synopsis: Amends the State Officials and Employees Ethics Act. Deletes a provision that prohibits a Regional Transit Board or Regional Development Authority from creating or retaining an investigative body that investigates matters under the Executive Inspector General's jurisdiction. Authorizes complaints or allegations of violations of the Act to be received and reviewed by a Regional Transit Board. Amends the Department of Transportation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that the Department of Transportation's statewide multi-modal transportation improvement program shall evaluate project potential for mode shift away from single-occupancy vehicles and commercial motor vehicles. Specifies that the Transit Integration Policy Development Committee shall also coordinate with local transit authorities, intercity bus operators, and local governments on the delivery of bus rapid transit. Requires the Department of Transportation to complete its planning study on improvements to the Joliet train station by January 1, 2028. Amends the State Finance Act. In provisions concerning the State Construction Account Fund and Road Fund, specifies that 90% (rather than 85%) of the investment income in those funds shall be deposited into the Northern Illinois Transit Authority Capital Improvement Fund and 10% (rather than 15%) shall be deposited into the Downstate Mass Transportation Capital Improvement Fund. Amends the Downstate Public Transportation Act. Makes changes in provisions concerning residual fund balances and definitions. Amends the Regional Transportation Authority Act. Provides that the Regional Transportation Authority shall remodel, renovate, or construct a new station at or near the Central Avenue Station and the western entrance at the Lavergne Avenue location on the Blue Line. Provides that the renovated or newly constructed station shall be completed and open for public operation no later than January 1, 2029. Amends the Illinois Procurement Code, the Downstate Public Transportation Act, the People Over Parking Act, the Metropolitan Transit Authority Act, the Local Mass Transit District Act, and the Regional Transportation Authority Act. Makes changes in provisions concerning the installation of bus shields on fixed-route buses; the threshold at which employment contracts must be approved by the authority and the compensation paid to members for service on the Commuter Rail Board, the Chicago Transit Board, or the Suburban Bus Board; renovations to terminals; transit-related taxes; the management of contracts entered into on or before January 1, 2027; the Board of the Northern Illinois Transit Authority and the terms of its members; and other matters. Makes various technical changes. Further amends the Metropolitan Transit Authority Act and the Regional Transportation Authority Act to repeal provisions concerning visitor paratransit service. Effective June 1, 2026.Senate Floor Amendment No. 4In the Downstate Public Transportation Act, with regard to quarterly reports and annual audits, provides that: beginning July 1, 2026, the participant's appropriation shall increase by an amount equal to the year-over-year percentage increase in revenue deposited into the Downstate Public Transportation Fund; and beginning July 1, 2032, and every fiscal year thereafter, if the participant's expenditures in the immediately preceding fiscal year are equal to or greater than 85% of the amounts appropriated to the participant in the immediately preceding fiscal year, then the participant's appropriation shall increase by an amount equal to the year-over-year percentage increase in revenue deposited into the Downstate Public Transportation Fund. Further amends the Regional Transportation Authority Act. With regard to renovations and terminals, provides that the renovated or newly constructed station along the Green Line within the Englewood community area shall be completed and open for public operation no later than January 1, 2031 (rather than 2029). With regard to the Suburban Bus Board, provides that the director appointed by the County Executive of the Will County Board shall have an initial term of 3 (rather than 5) years. With regard to the Commuter Rail Board, provides that the director appointed by the County Executive of Will County shall have an initial term of 5 (rather than 3) years. With regard to the Board of Directors, provides that, until September 1, 2030: the Chair of the Board must be confirmed by the Senate; if the Directors elect a Chair of the Board, then the elected Chair of the Board may serve as the acting Chair of the Board until confirmation; and if the Senate votes against confirming the acting Chair of the Board, then the acting Chair of the Board must resign and the Directors must elect a new Chair of Board.
Status: Passed Senate 36-16, House concurred 74-39