HR0814 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0814 LRB097 19091 GRL 64330 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, All aspects of transportation in the State of Illinois and throughout the United States are in need of serious infrastructure improvements; and

WHEREAS, Passenger rail and freight transportation has become a topic of serious debate when it comes to the conditions of railroad tracks and bridges on which trains travel; and

WHEREAS, It is of utter importance that the State of Illinois and the United States strive to improve the infrastructure on which these trains travel; and

WHEREAS, With the infrastructure of railroad tracks and bridges needing repair, it is necessary to identify the tracks and bridges that are in serious need of repair so that construction can be done to ensure the safety of passengers and travel of freight trains; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that there is created the Task Force on Railroad and Bridge Infrastructure, consisting of members appointed as follows: the Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives or his or her designee; the Minority Leader of the Illinois House of Representatives or his or her designee; the Illinois Secretary of Transportation or his or her designee; the Executive Director of the Regional Transportation Authority or his or her designee; the Chairman of the Chicago Transit Board or his or her designee; the Chairman of Metra or his or her designee; and a member representing freight rail service to be appointed by the chair of the task force; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Task Force can appoint members as it determines to serve as representatives of passenger and freight transportation entities or other concerned parties; the Task Force may request assistance from any entity necessary or useful for the performance of its duties; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Task Force shall conduct in-depth research to identify the railroad tracks and bridges that are in need of repair so that the necessary infrastructure repairs can be done; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Illinois Secretary of Transportation shall serve as the chair of the Task Force; the Task Force shall meet at the call of the chair; the members of the Task Force shall serve without compensation; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Illinois Department of Transportation shall provide staffing support to the Task Force and shall administer and prepare all reports deemed necessary in conjunction with the Task Force; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Task Force shall issue a report with its recommendations to the members of the Illinois House of Representatives on or before December 31, 2013.