Bill Text: IL SB1591 | 2025-2026 | 104th General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Defines "leader-follower work zone vehicle" as a motor vehicle used in combination with another motor vehicle in a highway construction or maintenance zone that is: (1) equipped with an automated driving system; and (2) remotely connected to another motor vehicle allowing for coordinated or controlled movement within line of sight of the operator. Provides that the provision regarding following too closely does not apply to leader-follower work zone vehicles. Authorizes the Department of Transportation and the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority to implement the use of a leader-follower work zone vehicle in a highway construction or maintenance zone under their jurisdiction to create a safety system to protect their workers. Effective immediately.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced) 2025-02-11 - Assigned to Transportation [SB1591 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2025-SB1591-Introduced.html

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104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY State of Illinois 2025 and 2026 SB1591 Introduced 2/4/2025, by Sen. Javier L. Cervantes SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
625 ILCS 5/1.125.1 new
625 ILCS 5/11-710 from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 11-710
625 ILCS 5/11-1433 new
Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Defines "leader-follower work zone vehicle" as a motor vehicle used in combination with another motor vehicle in a highway construction or maintenance zone that is: (1) equipped with an automated driving system; and (2) remotely connected to another motor vehicle allowing for coordinated or controlled movement within line of sight of the operator. Provides that the provision regarding following too closely does not apply to leader-follower work zone vehicles. Authorizes the Department of Transportation and the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority to implement the use of a leader-follower work zone vehicle in a highway construction or maintenance zone under their jurisdiction to create a safety system to protect their workers. Effective immediately.
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A BILL FOR
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AN ACT concerning transportation.
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
represented in the General Assembly:
Section 5. The Illinois Vehicle Code is amended by
changing Section 11-710 and by adding Sections 1.125.1 and
11-1433 as follows:
(625 ILCS 5/1.125.1 new)
Sec. 1.125.1. Leader-follower work zone vehicle. A motor
vehicle used in combination with another motor vehicle in a
highway construction or maintenance zone that is:
(1) equipped with an automated driving system; and
(2) remotely connected to another motor vehicle
allowing for coordinated or controlled movement within
line of sight of the operator.
(625 ILCS 5/11-710) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 11-710)
Sec. 11-710. Following too closely. (a) The driver of a
motor vehicle shall not follow another vehicle more closely
than is reasonable and prudent, having due regard for the
speed of such vehicles and the traffic upon and the condition
of the highway.
(b) The driver of any truck or motor vehicle drawing
another vehicle when traveling upon a roadway outside of a

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business or residence district and which is following another
truck or motor vehicle drawing another vehicle shall, whenever
conditions permit, leave sufficient space so that an
overtaking vehicle may enter and occupy such space without
danger, except that this shall not prevent a truck or motor
vehicle drawing another vehicle from overtaking and passing
any vehicle or combination of vehicles.
(c) Motor vehicles being driven upon any roadway outside
of a business or residence district in a caravan or motorcade
whether or not towing other vehicles shall be so operated as to
allow sufficient space between each such vehicle or
combination of vehicles so as to enable any other vehicle to
enter and occupy such space without danger. This provision
shall not apply to funeral processions.
(d) This Section does not apply to the operation of a
leader-follower work zone vehicle.
(Source: P.A. 79-1069.)
(625 ILCS 5/11-1433 new)
Sec. 11-1433. Leader-follower work zone vehicles. The
Department and the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority are
authorized and may implement the use of a leader-follower work
zone vehicle in a highway construction or maintenance zone
under their jurisdiction to create a safety system to protect
their workers. The operator of the leader-follower work zone
vehicle shall be deemed the driver and operator of the motor

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vehicles being used in the safety system. The leader-follower
work zone vehicles shall be an authorized vehicle in a highway
construction or maintenance zone.
Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon
becoming law.