SB3285Introduced in the Senate
PASSENGER RAIL PLANNING ACT
Introduced by Ram Villivalam, District 8
What does this bill do?
Plain-English breakdown
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Official description
Creates the Passenger Rail Planning Act. Sets forth intercity passenger rail routes serving or originating in the State. Requires the Department of Transportation to incorporate the aspirational frequencies into the Illinois State Rail Plan and the Long-Range Statewide Transportation Plan. Authorizes the Department to nominate corridors for inclusion in the Federal Railroad Administration's Corridor Identification and Development Program and enter into memoranda of understanding or other cooperative agreements for each identified interstate corridor to provide for shared data, joint investment prioritization, and aligned performance measures and planning schedules. Requires the Department to include a recurring section titled Progress Toward High-Speed and Intercity Passenger Rail within each update to the Illinois State Rail Plan and Statewide Transportation Improvement Program. Requires each Metropolitan Planning Organization in the State to: (1) recognize the target intercity and long-distance passenger rail frequencies; (2) identify relevant rail corridors within or adjacent to the Metropolitan Planning Organization planning area; and (3) include a narrative discussion of how regional transportation investments can support achievement of those frequency targets. Requires the Department and each Metropolitan Planning Organization to consider progress toward the target passenger rail frequencies when developing project prioritization criteria for multimodal investments. Contains other provisions. Effective immediately.
Where it stands
Rule 3-9(a) / Re-referred to Assignments
May 15, 2026
How did lawmakers vote?
SenateStage: Senate Transportation Committee · April 14, 2026
17
Yes
0
No
2
Absent or Not Voting
19 senators recorded in this Senate vote. Colors show vote categories only, not whether a vote was good or bad.
What do people think?
Citizen Voice
How would you vote on this bill?
An unofficial public opinion poll. It does not affect the bill or the official vote.
One response per device. Location is self-reported and not verified. Results are informal and not a scientific survey.
See how each senator voted
| Senator | District | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Omar Aquino | 2 | Yes |
| Mattie Hunter | 3 | Yes |
| Mike Simmons | 7 | Yes |
| Ram Villivalam | 8 | Yes |
| Mike Porfirio | 11 | Not Voting |
| Celina Villanueva | 12 | Yes |
| Robert Peters | 13 | Not Voting |
| Laura Ellman | 21 | Yes |
| Suzanne Glowiak Hilton | 23 | Yes |
| Seth Lewis | 24 | Yes |
Bill history
Filed with Secretary by Sen. Ram Villivalam
First Reading
Referred to Assignments
Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Michael W. Halpin
Assigned to Transportation
Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Laura Fine
Postponed - Transportation
Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Mark L. Walker
Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Paul Faraci
Postponed - Transportation
Rule 2-10 Committee Deadline Established As March 27, 2026
Rule 2-10 Committee Deadline Established As April 24, 2026
Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Graciela Guzmán
Do Pass Transportation; 017-000-000
Placed on Calendar Order of 2nd Reading April 15, 2026
Second Reading
Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading April 15, 2026
Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Mike Simmons
Rule 2-10 Third Reading Deadline Established As May 8, 2026
Rule 2-10 Third Reading Deadline Established As May 15, 2026
Rule 3-9(a) / Re-referred to Assignments
Verify the information
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