Bill Text: IL HR0252 | 2023-2024 | 103rd General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Urges the Illinois Department of Transportation and the High Speed Railroad Commission to move expeditiously in preparing a Statewide Integrated Network Plan, including the identification of desired service points and key transfer stations, the construction of a theoretical rail and bus schedule with timed transfers, the creation of a ridership and revenue model for the desired network, the estimation of needed infrastructure investments, and the development of a phased implementation plan.

Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 36-16)

Status: (Passed) 2023-05-18 - Resolution Adopted [HR0252 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2023-HR0252-Introduced.html

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HR0252 LRB103 31971 LAW 60754 r
HOUSE RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Passenger rail service is increasingly being
recognized as a critical asset for small and medium-sized
communities, providing reasonably priced, safe, and accessible
transportation to complement the highway network; and
WHEREAS, Fast and frequent passenger trains will help our
region to remain globally competitive by lowering travel
costs, bypassing highway congestion, and improving access to
jobs and education; and
WHEREAS, The State has an excellent mix of universities
and colleges that have long been supported by trains to
Chicago and will become more attractive with improved service;
and
WHEREAS, Improved access to O'Hare International Airport
will make the airport more attractive for airlines to offer
international flights, which will give communities throughout
Illinois better access to global markets; and
WHEREAS, Illinois has a long history of investing in
passenger trains, including Amtrak, Metra, and the South Shore
Line; and

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WHEREAS, Amtrak and Metra are jointly developing a group
of projects to improve rail infrastructure in Chicago,
including a direct link between O'Hare International Airport,
Chicago Union Station, and McCormick Place; and
WHEREAS, Metra has committed to converting to Regional
Rail, where trains operate on "memory schedules", defined as
arrivals and departures at the same time each hour they appear
on the schedule, to provide quality service to people
traveling for many purposes and between many destinations
throughout the day; and
WHEREAS, Downstate communities will also benefit from
Regional Rail, as use of frequent trains on memory schedules
provides the opportunity to serve many types of passenger
trips; and
WHEREAS, Regional Rail is the foundation for a future
high-speed line operating at 220 mph; and
WHEREAS, The State Rail Plan, the Statewide Public
Transportation Plan, and Metra's strategic plan call for a
robust web of trains and buses that could create new
connectivity throughout the entire State, but projects are
currently considered in isolation, with a focus on trips to
Chicago; many travel markets and constituencies that would use

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a well-connected system are missing from the analysis; and
WHEREAS, A unified approach would expedite planning and
construction, reduce capital expenses, and create statewide
benefits more quickly; and
WHEREAS, Federal funds are now available to expand and
upgrade the State's rail network; however, to make the most of
these opportunities, the State must act; and
WHEREAS, The Illinois High Speed Rail Commission is
developing a vision for an integrated rail plan that would
combine high-speed rail and regional rail to link the entire
State; therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE
HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
we urge the Illinois Department of Transportation and the High
Speed Railroad Commission to move expeditiously in preparing a
Statewide Integrated Network Plan, including the
identification of desired service points and key transfer
stations, the construction of a theoretical rail and bus
schedule with timed transfers, the creation of a ridership and
revenue model for the desired network, the estimation of
needed infrastructure investments, and the development of a
phased implementation plan; and be it further

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RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
delivered to the Secretary of the Illinois Department of
Transportation.