IL HB5664

Appropriates $500,000,000 from the Road Fund to the Department of Transportation for the Statewide Railway Program, effective July 1, 2024.

Allocates $70,000,000 for planning, design, and environmental clearance of a new electrified high-speed rail line designed for speeds exceeding 186 miles per hour.

Dedicates $230,000,000 for capital improvements to existing passenger rail routes and infrastructure upgrades including overhead catenary systems, FRA Class 5 track standards, and train control systems for speeds exceeding 80 mph.

Provides $100,000,000 for purchasing modern trains and constructing or modernizing train maintenance facilities.

Reserves $98,000,000 for operating passenger trains connecting communities outside the Regional Transportation Authority boundaries to Chicago, O'Hare, and other areas, plus regional bus operations with joint ticketing capabilities.

Allocates $2,000,000 for professional staff additions in the rail division of the Office of Intermodal Project Implementation.