House Sponsors: SKINNER-BEAUBIEN. Senate Sponsors: KLEMM-PETERSON Short description: TRAIN SPEED-FOX RIVER GROVE Synopsis of Bill as introduced: Amends the Vehicle Code to require the Commerce Commission and the Metropolitan Transit Authority to conduct a pilot project in the Village of Fox River Grove, the site of a fatal school bus accident at a railroad crossing, in order to improve railroad crossing safety. Directs the Commission to set the maximum speed limit for Metropolitan Transit Authority trains at 50 miles per hour in the Village of Fox River Grove. Provides that if the Authority deliberately fails to comply with this speed limit, an entity shall appropriately reduce or eliminate funding. Requires the Commission and the Authority to report annually to the Governor and General Assembly on the project. HOUSE AMENDMENT NO. 1. Replaces references to the Metropolitan Transit Authority with the Regional Transportation Authority and its Board of the Commuter Rail Division. Provides that the maximum train speed limit is 50 miles per hour at intersections on that portion of the rail line (instead of 50 miles per hour on that portion of the rail line) located in the Village of Fox River Grove. SENATE AMENDMENT NO. 1. Adds reference to: 625 ILCS 5/18c-7402.5 new Deletes everything. Reinserts the engrossed bill but with the following changes. Provides that the provisions concerning requiring the Commerce Commission to conduct a pilot project by setting the speed limit for Metropolitan Transit Authority trains at 50 miles per hour in the Village of Fox River Grove are inoperative after February 1, 2001. Provides that the Commission (instead of the Commission and the Authority) shall report on the project to the Governor and General Assembly in January 1999, January 2000, and January 2001, with a final report in January 2001 also (instead of reporting annually). Further amends the Vehicle Code. Requires the Commerce Commission to conduct a safety study at railroad crossings in the Village of Fox River Grove, in consultation with the Village of Fox River Grove. Requires the Commission to conduct at least one public forum to discuss railroad crossing safety, including the impact of lowering train speeds. Requires the Commission to report to the Governor and the General Assembly on the results of this study and forum. Repeals these safety study and forum provisions on February 1, 2001. Adds a January 1, 1998 effective date. Last action on Bill: PUBLIC ACT.............................. 90-0187 Last action date: 97-07-24 Location: House Amendments to Bill: AMENDMENTS ADOPTED: HOUSE - 1 SENATE - 1 END OF INQUIRY Full Text Bill Status