Bill
SB 1272
Authorizes municipalities to install and maintain a specialized traffic control device near fire stations or at intersections to aid emergency vehicles entering or leaving roadways
Status (as provided)
- Bill number: SB 1272
- Title: VEH CD — SPECIAL TRAFFIC DEVICE
- Current status: Rule 3‑9(a) / Re‑referred to Assignments
- Introduced: February 13, 2025 (bill documents show introduction in Jan/Feb 2025)
- Sponsor(s): Sen. Adriane Johnson (primary sponsor listed in bill text); other sponsors listed in materials include Fevella.
- Related/companion: HB 1871 (companion)
Overview / Purpose
- SB 1272 amends the Illinois Vehicle Code by adding a new Section 11‑306.1 (625 ILCS 5/11‑306.1 new) to authorize municipalities or local governments to install and maintain a “specialized traffic control device” intended to assist emergency response vehicles (for example, fire apparatus, EMS units) when entering or leaving the roadway from a station or similar facility.
Key provisions
- Authorization: A municipality or other local unit of government may erect and maintain a specialized traffic control device:
- at an intersection where an emergency response vehicle enters the roadway; or
- within 1,000 feet of a structure where emergency response vehicles are stored (e.g., a fire station).
- Control: The specialized traffic control device may be controlled by the emergency response unit or fire station as the emergency response vehicle enters or exits traffic.
- Placement/operation authority is added to the Vehicle Code (new statutory subsection) — the bill text is concise and focused on permitting such devices.
Who/what is affected
- Municipalities and local governments: may adopt and install these devices and will be responsible for their maintenance and operation.
- Emergency response units and fire stations: can directly control the device to facilitate safe entry to or exit from public roadways.
- Motorists and roadway users: will encounter new, localized traffic control devices that may change normal traffic flow when activated.
- Local budgets and public safety operations: potential costs for device purchase, installation, maintenance, and training/operations.
Potential impacts and considerations
- Public safety: intended to improve safety for emergency vehicles entering/exiting traffic and potentially reduce response time and collision risk.
- Implementation: municipalities will need policies, technical standards, and training for authorized control of devices; interagency coordination and local ordinances or resolutions will likely be required.
- Regulatory alignment: municipalities will need to ensure these devices comply with applicable state and federal traffic-control standards (e.g., MUTCD considerations), avoid driver confusion, and manage liability/recordkeeping.
- Costs: purchase, installation, power, maintenance, and potential liability/insurance impacts will be local responsibilities unless other funding sources are provided.
Procedural notes
- Bill text appears as an addition to the Illinois Vehicle Code (625 ILCS 5).
- Status indicates committee and procedural activity (Rule 3‑9(a) / re‑referred to Assignments). No general effective date is shown in the provided materials; typical effective date would be specified in enrolled legislation if passed.
If you want, I can:
- Extract exact statutory language from the introduced text and format it for circulation;
- Produce a short municipal checklist (technical, legal, budgetary steps) for local governments considering adopting such devices.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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