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HB 3257

HGWY-TOURIST ORIENTED SIGNS

104th Regular Session Introduced by Brad Halbrook

Gives IDOT power to post tourist-oriented directional signs at rural, non-freeway intersections, excluding urban areas with 7,000+ people; helps rural travelers find destinations.

Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee
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Bill Summary · HB 3257

HB 3257 Summary — HGWY-TOURIST ORIENTED SIGNS

Overview

HB 3257, introduced by Rep. Brad Halbrook, proposes to expand the Illinois Department of Transportation’s authority to place tourist oriented directional signs (TOD signs) at rural intersections on non-freeway routes, with an exemption for intersections located in urban areas with populations of 7,000 or more. The bill would add new sections to the Highway Advertising Control Act of 1971 and the Illinois Highway Code.

  • Bill numbers (new sections): 225 ILCS 440/4.09 and 605 ILCS 5/9-112.7
  • Purpose: Allow IDOT to post TOD signs at rural non-freeway intersections, expanding access to information about tourist destinations in rural areas.
  • Companions: SB 19 and HB 4860 (companions)

Key Provisions

  • Highway Advertising Control Act of 1971

    • Adds Section 4.09: “Tourist oriented directional signs.”
    • Authority: The Department may post TOD signs at intersections on rural, non-freeways.
    • Exemption: Intersections that pass through urban areas with populations of 7,000 or more are excluded from TOD sign placement.

  • Illinois Highway Code

    • Adds Section 9-112.7: “Tourist oriented directional signs.”
    • Authority: The Department may post TOD signs at intersections on rural, non-freeways.
    • Exemption: Intersections in urban areas with populations of 7,000 or more are excluded.

Affected Parties

  • Primary: Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) would have authority and responsibility to implement TOD sign postings in rural areas.
  • Rural communities and travelers: Residents and visitors in rural Illinois would be potential beneficiaries of improved directional information to tourist destinations.
  • Urban areas: Intersections within urban areas with populations of 7,000 or more are exempt from TOD sign placement under the bill.
  • Sign vendors and local governments: Potentially impacted by changes to signage standards and locations.

Implementation and Timeline

  • Introduced: February 18, 2025
  • Read First Time: March 20, 2025
  • Referred to: State Affairs (initial referral); later assigned to Transportation: Regulation, Roads & Bridges
  • Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee: March 21, 2025
  • Status: Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee
  • Related legislation: SB 19 and HB 4860 (companion bills)

Procedural Notes

  • The bill would not apply to freeways or to intersections within urban areas meeting the 7,000+ population threshold.
  • No explicit funding or implementation timeline is provided in the summary text; practical deployment would depend on IDOT budgeting, standards, and regulatory processes.

Potential Impact

  • Increased public accessibility to rural tourist destinations via DOT signage.
  • Clarification of signage scope on rural, non-freeway corridors, with a clear exemption for larger urban areas.
  • Possible considerations for traffic safety and driver distraction, signage design standards, and maintenance responsibilities, to be addressed in future rules or related guidance.

If you’d like, I can provide a side-by-side comparison with current law or draft a plain-language FAQ for community stakeholders.

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

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