IL SR0806

Creates the Illinois and Midwest High-Speed Rail Commission to recommend the best governmental structure for a public-private partnership to design, build, operate, maintain, and finance a high-speed rail system for Illinois and the Midwest.

Commission composed of 19 members: 10 public members appointed by the Governor, 3 House members (2 by Speaker, 1 by Minority Leader), 3 Senate members (2 by President, 1 by Minority Leader), and 3 ex-officio members (Secretary of Transportation, Executive Director of Commerce Commission, Executive Director of State Toll Highway Authority).

Public members must be Illinois residents and include local elected officials interested in high-speed rail, former elected officials with transportation expertise, infrastructure financing experts, and railroad/transportation infrastructure professionals; appointments must reflect geographic diversity across all state regions.

Commission must prepare and submit a report by December 31, 2010, to the Governor and General Assembly recommending legislation or regulations needed, funding sources including private capital and revenue bonds, integration with Amtrak and public transportation, and federal, state, and local actions required.

Commission must meet at least monthly, solicit input from global high-speed rail operators and other Midwest states, collaborate with the Illinois Department of Transportation on federal requirements, and members receive travel expense reimbursement from Department of Transportation appropriations.