Bill Text: IL SB2284 | 2025-2026 | 104th General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Amends the Department of Transportation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Requires the Department of Transportation to create an intercity bus program. Provides that the Department shall plan for and implement intercity bus routes that (i) add missing frequencies to existing passenger rail routes, (ii) begin frequent departures throughout the day in advance of Amtrak service, and (iii) add smaller towns into the network. Requires bus schedules to be coordinated with intercity and commuter trains so that passengers can conveniently connect between buses and trains. Provides that passengers shall be able to purchase a single ticket for journeys combining intercity buses and intercity trains. Provides that bus-only tickets shall be available for purchase from the same ticketing system used by intercity trains. Allows the Department to implement the program by (i) contracting directly with intercity bus carriers through competitive bids, (ii) contracting through Amtrak's Thruway bus program, or (iii) contract directly with a local transit authority within the State.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced) 2025-02-07 - Referred to Assignments [SB2284 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2025-SB2284-Introduced.html

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104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY State of Illinois 2025 and 2026 SB2284 Introduced 2/7/2025, by Sen. Mike Porfirio SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
20 ILCS 2705/2705-442 new
Amends the Department of Transportation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Requires the Department of Transportation to create an intercity bus program. Provides that the Department shall plan for and implement intercity bus routes that (i) add missing frequencies to existing passenger rail routes, (ii) begin frequent departures throughout the day in advance of Amtrak service, and (iii) add smaller towns into the network. Requires bus schedules to be coordinated with intercity and commuter trains so that passengers can conveniently connect between buses and trains. Provides that passengers shall be able to purchase a single ticket for journeys combining intercity buses and intercity trains. Provides that bus-only tickets shall be available for purchase from the same ticketing system used by intercity trains. Allows the Department to implement the program by (i) contracting directly with intercity bus carriers through competitive bids, (ii) contracting through Amtrak's Thruway bus program, or (iii) contract directly with a local transit authority within the State.
LRB104 10754 LNS 20833 b
A BILL FOR
SB2284 LRB104 10754 LNS 20833 b
AN ACT concerning State government.
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
represented in the General Assembly:
Section 5. The Department of Transportation Law of the
Civil Administrative Code of Illinois is amended by adding
Section 2705-442 as follows:
(20 ILCS 2705/2705-442 new)
Sec. 2705-442. Intercity bus program. The Department shall
create an intercity bus program with the purpose of connecting
the State with quality, affordable travel options that allow
people to travel to any part of the State without driving. The
Department shall plan for and implement intercity bus routes
that (i) add missing frequencies to existing passenger rail
routes, (ii) begin frequent departures throughout the day in
advance of Amtrak service, and (iii) add smaller towns into
the network.
Bus schedules shall be coordinated with intercity and
commuter trains so that passengers can conveniently connect
between buses and trains. Passengers shall be able to purchase
a single ticket for journeys combining intercity buses and
intercity trains. Bus-only tickets shall be available for
purchase from the same ticketing system used by intercity
trains.

SB2284 - 2 - LRB104 10754 LNS 20833 b
The Department may implement the program by (i)
contracting directly with intercity bus carriers through
competitive bids, (ii) contracting through Amtrak's Thruway
bus program, or (iii) contract directly with a local transit
authority within the State.