IL HB4279

Creates the Passenger Rail Planning Act establishing target service frequencies for intercity passenger rail routes originating in Illinois, designating corridors for hourly service (Chicago to Milwaukee, St. Louis, Detroit, Cleveland, Indianapolis, Champaign, and others), every-2-hour service (Chicago to Moline, Peoria), and every-4-hour service (extensions to Memphis, Dubuque, Denver, Quincy)

Requires the Department of Transportation to incorporate these aspirational frequencies into the Illinois State Rail Plan and Long-Range Statewide Transportation Plan, and authorizes IDOT to nominate corridors for the Federal Railroad Administration's Corridor Identification and Development Program

Mandates IDOT include a recurring "Progress Toward High-Speed and Intercity Passenger Rail" section in State Rail Plan updates, reporting on current service levels, gaps from targets, investments made, and coordination with neighboring states and Amtrak

Requires each Metropolitan Planning Organization in Illinois to recognize target rail frequencies, identify relevant corridors in their planning areas, and include discussion of how regional investments can support achieving frequency goals during federally required plan updates

Directs IDOT and Metropolitan Planning Organizations to consider progress toward target passenger rail frequencies when prioritizing multimodal investments, particularly those affecting rail capacity, terminal access, or connectivity