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HB3166

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IDOT-INTERCITY BUS PROGRAM

What this bill does

Amends the Department of Transportation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Requires the Department of Transportation to create an intercity bus program. Provides that the Department shall plan for and implement intercity bus routes that (i) add missing frequencies to existing passenger rail routes, (ii) begin frequent departures throughout the day in advance of Amtrak service, and (iii) add smaller towns into the network. Requires bus schedules to be coordinated with intercity and commuter trains so that passengers can conveniently connect between buses and trains. Provides that passengers shall be able to purchase a single ticket for journeys combining intercity buses and intercity trains. Provides that bus-only tickets shall be available for purchase from the same ticketing system used by intercity trains. Allows the Department to implement the program by (i) contracting directly with intercity bus carriers through competitive bids, (ii) contracting through Amtrak's Thruway bus program, or (iii) contract directly with a local transit authority within the State.

Sponsor: Justin Cochran Chamber: House Introduced: 2025-02-06
Stuck
P(Advance)
1.0%
Chance it ever reaches a milestone (committee, floor, etc.). Not “next step.”
P(Law)
0.0%
Chance it becomes law given where it is now (stage, momentum).
Confidence: 99%

Calculating prediction drivers...

Pipeline Progress

Current stage: Crossed Chambers · Last action 133 days ago

How does a bill become law in Illinois?
  1. Introduction of Bill

    A member of the Senate or the House introduces a bill, which is assigned a unique identifying number (e.g., "H.B. ___" for House bills and "S.B. ___" for Senate bills). If not enacted, it must be reintroduced in the next General Assembly with a new number.

  2. Committee Work — Hearings

    The bill goes to the appropriate committee, which holds hearings to gather expert opinions and determine the need for the legislation.

  3. Committee Work — Markup, Amendments, Report

    The committee may make amendments to the bill. If approved, a committee report endorsing the bill is issued.

  4. Floor Debate

    The bill is debated and can be further amended. The debate transcripts are accessible online for public viewing.

  5. Passage and Consideration in Second Chamber

    If the bill passes in the first chamber, it moves to the second chamber for a similar review process. If both chambers approve, it goes to the governor.

  6. Gubernatorial Action

    The governor can sign the bill into law, veto it, or take no action (resulting in an automatic law after 60 days). The type of veto can be total or amendatory. Once signed, the bill becomes a Public Act and is assigned a Public Act number.

Sponsor Context

Public Engagement

12 witness slips filed 12 proponents / 0 opponents 5 organizations

Witness slips

12 slips filed. Proponent / opponent / no position as filed with the committee.

Name Organization Representing Position Hearing committee Hearing date
David Schwartz Self Self Proponent Trans: Regulation, Roads & Bridges 2025-03-19
Matthew Slade Myself Myself Proponent Trans: Regulation, Roads & Bridges 2025-03-19
Michael McLean Amtrak Rider I ride Amtrak Proponent Trans: Regulation, Roads & Bridges 2025-03-19
Nathan Sheskey Self Self Proponent Trans: Regulation, Roads & Bridges 2025-03-19
David Schwartz Self Self Proponent Trans: Regulation, Roads & Bridges 2025-03-18
David Winters High Speed Rail Alliance High Speed Rail Alliance Proponent Trans: Regulation, Roads & Bridges 2025-03-18
Jared Snyder Self Self Proponent Trans: Regulation, Roads & Bridges 2025-03-18
Jocelyn Wilcox Self Self Proponent Trans: Regulation, Roads & Bridges 2025-03-18
Michael McLean Amtrak Rider I ride Amtrak Proponent Trans: Regulation, Roads & Bridges 2025-03-18
Nathan Sheskey Self Self Proponent Trans: Regulation, Roads & Bridges 2025-03-18
Porter Crumpton Self Proponent Trans: Regulation, Roads & Bridges 2025-03-18
Sara Thurnquist None Self Proponent Trans: Regulation, Roads & Bridges 2025-03-18

Action History

6 actions recorded. Last action: 2026-01-12 — Chief Sponsor Changed toRep. Justin Cochran. Each action's meaning and outcome signal are classified automatically.

2025-02-06 Introduction & Filing
Filed with the Clerk byRep. Martin J. Moylan House Rule 6(b)
Bill officially submitted to the House Clerk during the session.
2025-02-18 Introduction & Filing
First Reading Senate Rule 5-1(d)/5-2; House Rule 37(d)/38
Formal introduction — title read into the official record. Required procedural step; bill now exists in the system.
2025-02-18 Committee Assignment
Referred toRules Committee Senate Rule 3-8(a); House Rule 18(a)
Sent to a committee (usually Rules in the House, Assignments in the Senate). The gatekeeping step — Rules/Assignments decides which substantive committee hears the bill.
2025-03-11 Committee Assignment
Assigned toTransportation: Regulation, Roads & Bridges Senate Rule 3-8(a); House Rule 18(b)
Sent to a substantive committee (e.g., Transportation, Revenue). This is where the bill gets a real hearing and evaluation.
2025-03-21 Deadlines & Re-referrals Mild −
Rule 19(a) / Re-referred toRules Committee House Rule 19(a); Senate analog: Rule 3-9(a)
MISSED COMMITTEE DEADLINE — bill did not get a committee vote before the deadline and is re-referred to Rules/Assignments. The bill is NOT dead but faces an uphill battle to be reassigned. Most bills that hit Rule 19(a) do not advance.
2026-01-12 Cross-Chamber
Chief Sponsor Changed toRep. Justin Cochran Senate Rule 5-1(d)/4-4(9-11); House Rule 37(d)/31(10-12)
Chief sponsor changed — may indicate leadership taking ownership or a strategic handoff.

All actions (table)

Date Chamber Action Category Signal
2025-02-06 House Filed with the Clerk byRep. Martin J. Moylan House Rule 6(b) Introduction & Filing —
2025-02-18 House First Reading Senate Rule 5-1(d)/5-2; House Rule 37(d)/38 Introduction & Filing —
2025-02-18 House Referred toRules Committee Senate Rule 3-8(a); House Rule 18(a) Committee Assignment —
2025-03-11 House Assigned toTransportation: Regulation, Roads & Bridges Senate Rule 3-8(a); House Rule 18(b) Committee Assignment —
2025-03-21 House Rule 19(a) / Re-referred toRules Committee House Rule 19(a); Senate analog: Rule 3-9(a) Deadlines & Re-referrals Mild −
2026-01-12 House Chief Sponsor Changed toRep. Justin Cochran Senate Rule 5-1(d)/4-4(9-11); House Rule 37(d)/31(10-12) Cross-Chamber —