IL HR0751

Supports passage of U.S. S.2922, the "Rail Passenger Fairness Act," which would allow Amtrak to bring civil actions in federal district court to enforce its statutory preference rights over freight transportation on host railroads.

Notes that Amtrak has statutory preference rights under the Amtrak Improvement Act of 1973 (49 U.S.C. § 24308(c)), but host railroads have consistently violated these rights, resulting in poor on-time performance that caused 6.5 million customers to arrive late in fiscal year 2019 alone.

Documents that enforcement mechanisms previously included in the 2008 Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act (PRIIA) dramatically improved on-time performance from 56 percent to 77 percent within two months and reduced freight interference delays by 40 percent, but were removed in 2014 after court challenges.

Highlights that the U.S. Attorney General is currently the only entity that can enforce Amtrak's preference rights but has done so only once since Amtrak's creation in 1971, leaving Amtrak without effective remedies.

Urges Illinois Congressional Delegation members to support S.2922 and directs delivery of the resolution to all members of the Illinois Congressional Delegation.