VEH CD-RAPID TRANSIT BUSES House SponsorsRep. Cynthia Soto and Elaine Nekritz 1/8/2013HouseSession Sine Die 625 ILCS 5/1-107.1 new625 ILCS 5/11-709.1from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 11-709.1625 ILCS 5/11-709.2 new Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Defines "bus rapid transit vehicle" as a bus specifically authorized by the Department of Transportation to be operated upon highways and shoulders for bus rapid transit. Adds bus rapid transit vehicles to the list of vehicles exempted from prohibitions against driving on the shoulder. Creates the Bus Rapid Transit Pilot Program. Provides that commencing January 1, 2011, the Department, in cooperation with the Regional Transportation Authority and the Illinois State Police, shall establish a 5-year pilot program within the boundaries of the Regional Transportation Authority for bus rapid transit on highways and shoulders. Provides that the Department may adopt rules as necessary to implement the bus rapid transit pilot program, and that the Department shall present to the General Assembly a report on the effectiveness of bus rapid transit at the conclusion of the 5-year pilot program.House Committee Amendment No. 1 Deletes reference to:625 ILCS 5/107.1 newAdds reference to:625 ILCS 5/1-209.3 new625 ILCS 5/11-709.3 newReplaces everything after the enacting clause and re-inserts provisions similar to those of the original bill, with the following changes: removes definition of "bus rapid transit vehicle" and defines "transit bus" as a bus engaged in public transportation as defined by the Regional Transportation Authority Act and authorized by the Department of Transportation to be used on specifically designated roadway shoulders; changes all references to "bus rapid transit vehicles" to "transit buses"; changes the name of the pilot program to the bus on shoulder pilot program; provides that the pilot program shall commence on the effective date of this amendatory Act (instead of January 1, 2011); provides that the report shall be presented to the General Assembly after the program has been operating for 2 years (instead of at the end of the 5-year program); provides that the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority may allow transit buses to use the shoulders of highways under its jurisdiction as part of the pilot program. Effective immediately. 2/16/2011HouseFiled with the Clerk by Rep. Cynthia Soto 2/16/2011HouseFirst Reading 2/16/2011HouseReferred to Rules Committee 2/22/2011HouseAssigned to Transportation: Regulation, Roads & Bridges Committee 3/7/2011HouseHouse Committee Amendment No. 1 Filed with Clerk by Rep. Cynthia Soto 3/7/2011HouseHouse Committee Amendment No. 1 Referred to Rules Committee 3/8/2011HouseHouse Committee Amendment No. 1 Rules Refers to Transportation: Regulation, Roads & Bridges Committee 3/8/2011HouseHouse Committee Amendment No. 1 Adopted in Transportation: Regulation, Roads & Bridges Committee; by Voice Vote 3/8/2011HouseDo Pass as Amended / Short Debate Transportation: Regulation, Roads & Bridges Committee; 014-000-000 3/9/2011HousePlaced on Calendar 2nd Reading - Short Debate 3/10/2011HouseHouse Floor Amendment No. 2 Filed with Clerk by Rep. Cynthia Soto 3/10/2011HouseHouse Floor Amendment No. 2 Referred to Rules Committee 3/17/2011HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Elaine Nekritz 4/14/2011HouseSecond Reading - Short Debate 4/14/2011HouseHeld on Calendar Order of Second Reading - Short Debate 4/15/2011HouseRule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee 1/8/2013HouseSession Sine Die