Illinois transportation laws

What it would do: Amends the Motor Fuel Tax Law to increase the monthly transfer to the Grade Crossing Protection Fund by the percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers for fiscal years beginning July 1, 2026 and thereafter, with a floor that the amount cannot decrease from the prior year.

What it would do: Creates an income tax credit for Class II or Class III railroads and rail infrastructure owners making qualified expenditures, equal to 50% of expenses, capped at $5,000 per mile for railroads and $2,000,000 per location for new infrastructure, for taxable years 2027-2036.

What it would do: Creates the Safe Autonomous Vehicle Act allowing Motor Vehicle Manufacturers to operate autonomous vehicles on public roads after self-certification and notification to the Secretary of State, with manufacturers assuming liability for incidents and preempting local regulation.

What it would do: Creates an income tax credit for Class II and Class III railroads and rail siding owners equal to 50% of qualified railroad reconstruction expenditures, capped at $3,500 per mile annually, with a $5,000,000 annual limit, available for taxable years 2026-2035.

What it would do: Creates the Autonomous Vehicle Pilot Project Act, requiring persons to obtain Department of Transportation authorization and provide operational design domain statements to operate autonomous vehicles on public roads in specified counties, with statewide deployment permitted after 3 years if safety is demonstrated. Repeals January 1, 2029.

What it would do: Creates the Automated Driving Systems Development Act establishing a pilot program for highly automated vehicles in Cook, St. Clair, and Madison Counties, requiring permits from the Secretary of State, establishing a review committee, mandating safety standards and insurance requirements, and requiring operators to report crashes and incidents publicly.

What it would do: Amends vehicle weight regulations by extending Special Hauling Vehicle model year and registration date requirements to 2034 and January 1, 2035. Increases fines for excessive weight violations to $150 per 500 pounds and exempts covered heavy duty tow and recovery vehicles from weight limitations.

What it would do: Creates the Autonomous Vehicles Article in the Illinois Vehicle Code, establishing requirements for testing and operating autonomous vehicles on public roads, including insurance requirements of $5,000,000, safety certifications, and manufacturer obligations for emergency response capabilities.

What it would do: Requires tow truck operators to hold a valid current license or registration from the Illinois Commerce Commission to obtain registration plates, with equipment requirements based on tow truck duty level, and mandates immediate surrender of plates upon license or registration revocation.

What it would do: Creates the Warehouse Worker Protection Act requiring employers with 250+ workers at one warehouse or 1,000+ across multiple warehouses to disclose quotas in writing, prohibit quotas preventing meal/rest/bathroom breaks, and maintain work speed data records for 3 years, with civil penalties up to $100 per violation.

What it would do: Creates the Illinois Railway Safety Act of 2026, requiring a locomotive engineer present in every train's cab capable of taking manual control during safety issues, mandating wayside detector systems on railroad tracks with specified spacing, requiring twice-weekly track inspections, and prohibiting trains exceeding 8,500 feet in length. Amends the Vehicle Code to suspend driving privileges for at least 6 months to revocation for drivers causing injury or fatality to railway workers at grade crossings.

What it would do: Allows a person to drive a commercial motor vehicle without a commercial driver's license or permit if the vehicle weighs less than 26,001 pounds GVWR and has hydraulic brakes, air brakes, or compliant federal safety systems, except for vehicles carrying 16+ passengers or hazardous materials.

What it would do: Prohibits issuing driver's licenses to non-U.S. citizens and requires applicants to affirm ability to read and write English. Requires commercial learner's permit applicants to be U.S. citizens and certify English language proficiency.

What it would do: Allows municipalities and counties to impose fees on interstate and intrastate carriers transporting retail goods from intermodal facilities, ranging from $0.50 to $8 per vehicle based on gross weight, with 95% of proceeds funding local road projects and 5% funding motor carrier safety enforcement.

What it would do: Exempts motor carriers from use and occupation tax requirements when they sell tangible personal property incidental to rendering motor carrier services, classifying them as engaged in a service occupation rather than as retailers or servicemen.

What it would do: Prohibits operating a commercial driver training school without Secretary of State licensure. Requires quarterly federal registry reviews, imposes civil penalties up to $50,000 plus $10,000 daily, and authorizes injunctive actions by state attorneys.

What it would do: Establishes registration requirements for third-party wine fulfillment providers, requires monthly reporting by winery shippers, third-party providers, and carriers, and prohibits carriers from delivering wine packages unless the consignor holds a valid current license or registration.

What it would do: Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code to increase the population threshold for township and road district CDL waiver eligibility from 3,000 to 10,000 for employees operating snow removal vehicles during snow emergencies.

What it would do: Allows commercial driver training schools in Illinois to administer CDL tests to students who complete their commercial driver education courses, subject to federal regulations and state requirements, with the Secretary of State adopting implementing rules.

What it would do: Increases the maximum number of farm truck registrations an owner may receive from 5 to 8, with 2 registrations at $1,590 per vehicle and 6 registrations at $2,890 per vehicle for vehicles exceeding 77,001 pounds.

What it would do: Creates the Illinois Autonomous Vehicle Testing Program led by the Department of Transportation to promote development and testing of connected and automated vehicles. Requires entities to register annually, maintain compliance with safety and insurance requirements, and allows the Department to suspend participation for unsafe technology.