HB4279ham003 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Rep. Rita Mayfield

Filed: 3/17/2026

10400HB4279ham003 LRB104 16936 TRT 35528 a

AMENDMENT TO HOUSE BILL 4279

AMENDMENT NO. ______. Amend House Bill 4279, AS AMENDED, with reference to page and line numbers of House Amendment No. 2, as follows:

on page 1, line 6, after "finds", by inserting "and declares"; and

on page 2, by replacing line 17 with "(6) Many existing"; and

on page 3, by replacing line 4 with "(7) Train"; and

by replacing line 26 on page 3, through line 1, on page 4 with the following:

"(9) The railroads are essential in supporting the State's economy, supply"; and

on page 4, by replacing line 9 with "(10) The"; and

on page 4, by replacing line 18 with "(11) Intercity"; and

on page 5, immediately below line 8, by inserting the following:

"(13) Federal law, including 49 U.S.C. 24308, provides Amtrak with rights and remedies relating to the use of railroad facilities and services, including preference over freight transportation in the use of rail lines, junctions, and crossings except as otherwise provided by federal law. Nothing in this Act is intended to limit, alter, waive, impair, or otherwise affect any existing obligation of a railroad to Amtrak or any other intercity passenger rail service operated by or for Amtrak under federal law, or to diminish the public interest in safe, efficient, reliable, and reasonably prioritized passenger rail transportation."; and

on page 7, immediately below line 1, by inserting the following:

"(b-5) On and after January 1, 2038, the Department of Transportation may, through updates to the Illinois state rail plan prepared under 49 U.S.C. 22705 and the long-range statewide transportation plan required under 23 U.S.C. 135, revise the aspirational service frequencies and corridor designations set forth in subsection (b) to reflect current conditions, including ridership demand, operating experience, host railroad capacity, infrastructure constraints, service development planning, technological changes, and coordination with neighboring states and passenger rail service providers. On and after that date, the applicable planning processes shall determine the appropriate aspirational frequencies going forward."; and

on page 8, immediately below line 26, by inserting the following:

"(f-5) The Department of Transportation shall not be responsible under this Act for planning, designing, funding, or implementing capital projects or infrastructure improvements located outside this State. For interstate corridors identified in subsection (b), the Department shall collaborate and coordinate to the maximum extent practicable with neighboring states, Amtrak or any other passenger rail service provider, host railroads, and relevant public agencies regarding projects or improvements outside this State. For projects, improvements, and service planning activities within this State, the Department shall ensure that the Illinois state rail plan, the long-range statewide transportation plan, and related project development processes incorporate and consider the aspirational service frequencies established under this Section."; and

on page 10, line 14, after "mobility.", by inserting "Such collaborative solutions may include improved technology, dispatching practices, operational coordination, and other measures intended to reduce delays and improve performance for passenger and freight transportation. Nothing in this Act may be construed to diminish, impair, or restrict the public interest or any otherwise applicable right, remedy, or obligation under federal or State law."; and

on page 10, immediately below line 14, by inserting the following:

"(k-5) Nothing in this Act may be construed to limit, restrict, supersede, waive, or otherwise affect any duty, obligation, right, remedy, or standard existing under federal law with respect to passenger rail transportation, including Amtrak's statutory preference and access rights under 49 U.S.C. 24308, nor may anything in this Act be construed to diminish, impair, or restrict the public interest in safe, efficient, and reliable passenger rail service.".