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SB 2284

Federal Workforce Investment Act; Hinds County shall be a separate workforce investment area.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by John Horhn

IDOT must study cost and feasibility of a statewide intercity bus network that links with rail and offers integrated bus/train tickets, replacing immediate deployment.

Died In Committee
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Bill Summary · SB 2284

SB 2284 — Intercity Bus Program (20 ILCS 2705/2705-442 new)

Status: Died in Committee (introduced March 11, 2025)
Primary sponsor(s): Sen. Mike Porfirio (with multiple co‑sponsors)
Related/companion bills: HB 3138, HB 1924

Purpose / intent

SB 2284 would establish (or, in the amended version, require a study on establishing) a statewide intercity bus program administered by the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT). The program’s stated purpose is to provide quality, affordable travel options that enable people to travel anywhere in the State without driving, improving connectivity among cities, towns and existing rail corridors.

Key provisions (introduced version)

  • Adds new Section 2705‑442 to the Department of Transportation Law (20 ILCS 2705/2705‑442).
  • Requires IDOT to create and implement an intercity bus program to:
    • Add missing frequencies to existing passenger rail routes.
    • Provide frequent departures throughout the day that either supplement or precede Amtrak service.
    • Add smaller towns to the statewide intercity network.
  • Requires schedule coordination between intercity/commuter trains and intercity buses to facilitate convenient connections.
  • Requires integrated ticketing so passengers can:
    • Purchase a single ticket that covers combined intercity bus + intercity train journeys.
    • Buy bus‑only tickets from the same ticketing system used by intercity trains.
  • Authorizes IDOT to implement the program through one of three procurement/deployment methods:
    1. Contract directly with intercity bus carriers through competitive bids.
    2. Contract through Amtrak’s Thruway bus program.
    3. Contract directly with a local transit authority within the State.

Key provisions (Senate Amendment 001)

  • The amendment replaces the direct creation mandate with a requirement that IDOT conduct a study on creating the intercity bus program.
  • The study must evaluate planning and implementation costs for routes meeting the same objectives (rail frequency gaps, daytime frequent departures, inclusion of smaller towns).
  • The study must also estimate costs of implementing the program using the three delivery options listed above (competitive contracting with bus carriers, Amtrak Thruway, or local transit authority contracting).

Who would be affected

  • Travelers without access to a car — particularly residents of smaller towns and rural areas.
  • Current and potential intercity bus carriers and local transit authorities (potential contractors/providers).
  • Amtrak and other intercity/commuter rail operators (requiring schedule coordination and integrated ticketing).
  • IDOT (responsible for planning, procurement, coordination and, if amended, conducting the study).
  • State budget and appropriations (implementation would require funding for operations, procurement, ticketing integration and possible subsidies).

Potential impacts and considerations

  • Mobility & equity: could expand transit access for rural and lower‑income residents and improve multimodal connectivity.
  • Operational/fiscal: implementing statewide routes and integrated ticketing can require capital (ticketing systems, terminals), ongoing operating subsidies, and staffing/contract management.
  • Coordination: requires timetable and ticketing integration with Amtrak and local providers; procurement path chosen will affect cost, speed of roll‑out and regulatory requirements.
  • Data needs: route planning and subsidy estimates will rely on ridership projections and cost studies — which the amendment would explicitly require.

Procedural notes

  • Introduced 3/11/2025 and referred to relevant committees (Transportation; Economic and Workforce Development).
  • Senate Committee Amendment 001 (filed 4/4/2025) shifts the bill’s obligation from immediate program creation to a required IDOT study of creation and costs.
  • According to the provided metadata the bill’s status is “Died In Committee.” (Companion measures HB 3138 and HB 1924 may pursue similar objectives in other vehicles.)

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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