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1    AN ACT concerning education.
 
2    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, 
3represented in the General Assembly:
 
4    Section 5. The School Code is amended by adding Section 
522-101 as follows:
 
6    (105 ILCS 5/22-101 new)
7    Sec. 22-101. Railroad safety messaging. Each school 
8district shall include in its student handbook for grades 
9kindergarten through 12 the following railroad safety 
10messaging:
11        (1) Cross tracks only at designated pedestrian or 
12    roadway crossings and observe and obey all warning signs 
13    and signals. 
14        (2) Never walk down a train track; it is illegal and 
15    dangerous. By the time a locomotive engineer sees a 
16    trespasser or vehicle on the tracks, it is too late to stop 
17    even when the emergency brakes are activated. 
18        (3) The only safe place to cross is at a designated 
19    public crossing, equipped with crossbucks, flashing red 
20    lights, or gates. Crossing anywhere else is trespassing, 
21    which can result in a ticket and fine. 
22        (4) Do not cross tracks immediately after a train 
23    passes. Additional trains may be approaching when blocked 
 
 
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1    by the first. Trains can travel at any time and in either 
2    direction. Wait until both directions can be clearly 
3    observed. 
4        (5) Flashing red lights signal that a train or rail 
5    equipment is approaching from either direction, and a fine 
6    can be charged for ignoring such signals. Never walk 
7    around or stop between lowered gates at a crossing. Do not 
8    cross the tracks until the red lights stop flashing and it 
9    is safe to do so. 
10        (6) Rails and recreation do not mix. 
11    A school district may opt-out of this requirement if the 
12school board of the school district determines that the 
13inclusion of such messaging is unnecessary based on local 
14context or the messaging's alignment with curriculum.
 
15    Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect on July 
161, 2026.