Andrew Cunningham l Executive Director, Infrastructure Council l 217-520-2345

Session Update

The House and Senate both returned to Springfield last month for the conclusion of veto session. Per HJR 45, both chambers will return to Springfield on January 16th at the call of the Speaker and Senate President. The 2024 Spring session calendar is now available. Click to view the House and Senate calendars.

Illinois Chamber Legislative Initiatives

As we approach the end of the year, the Illinois Chamber is finalizing its legislative strategy for the Spring of 2024. If you have any legislative ideas or proposals that you would like the Chamber to consider supporting or drafting please don't hesitate to reach out.

You can email me at acunningham@ilchamber.org or give me a call at (217) 520-2345.

Federal Register: Notice of Request for Information (RFI) on Progression to Net-Zero Emission Propulsion Technologies for the Rail Sector

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) invites public comment on its Request for Information (RFI) number DE–FOA–0003186 regarding the state of technology on the progression to net-zero emission propulsion technologies for the rail industry. The purpose of this RFI is to aggregate knowledge from rail stakeholders to help direct actions regarding future propulsion technologies, infrastructure requirements, and coordination among key stakeholders to ensure that the rail sector is meeting or exceeding U.S. decarbonization milestones. DOE's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) is specifically interested in information on the rail industry's current alternative fuels trajectory, the driving forces behind it, and the key barriers to achieving this transition.

Responses to the RFI must be received by January 12th, 2024.

Interested parties are to submit comments electronically to GreenRail@ee.doe.gov. Include “State of the Rail Industry” in the subject line of the email. Only electronic responses will be accepted. 

Please view the full RFI document here.

IDOT Long Range Transportation Plan Advisory Group

The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) is seeking participants for the Virtual Advisory Group webinar for Move Illinois: the 2024 Long-Range Transportation Plan (LRTP). This group's input will shape the plan's strategic goals, objectives, and strategies, influencing Illinois’ diverse transportation network for the next 20 to 30 years. 

IDOT has asked that stakeholders attend and share the news of these webinars for the following dates:

Date: Monday, December 11, 2023

Time: Noon – 1:00 p.m.  

Location: Webex    

Date: Wednesday, December 13, 2023  

Time: 5:00 – 6:00 p.m. 

Location: Webex 

Register through the links above by Wednesday, December 6, 2023 to confirm your attendance. Both webinars will present the same information.

More information can be found at www.moveillinois2024.com

Building Blocks of Success: IDOT announces December dates for Disadvantaged Business Enterprise program workshops

The Illinois Department of Transportation is hosting free virtual workshops in December as part of its continuing Building Blocks of Success series for Disadvantaged Business Enterprise firms interested in strengthening their skills, growing their business and bidding on state projects. New and existing DBEs, as well as firms interested in becoming certified in the program, are invited.

December workshop dates and topics are:

• Dec. 5, 10 a.m. to noon: The Prime Contractor's Perspective

• Dec. 7, 10 a.m. to noon: IDOT's Multi-Year Program

• Dec. 12, 10 a.m. to noon: Construction: Before Contract – IDOT Standard Specifications, Division 100

• Dec. 14, 10 a.m. to noon: Construction: Before Contract – IDOT Specs, Plans and Conducting a Site Review Q & A Session

• Dec. 19, 10 a.m. to noon: Construction: Before Contract – Estimating and Bidding Spreadsheet

• Dec. 21, 10 a.m. to noon: Construction: Before Contract – Subcontractor Awareness

Building Blocks of Success will continue through April. Workshop information, including dates and times, is available through Eventbrite at bit.ly/DBEworkshops. Advance registration is required.

Completion of I-280 Over Mississippi River in Quad Cities

Earlier this week, Governor Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) were joined by local officials and community leaders to announce the completion of a multiyear project to install a new deck on the Interstate 280 Sgt. John F. Baker Jr. Mississippi River Bridge in Rock Island County.

Made possible by the Rebuild Illinois capital program and a partnership with Iowa, the project included patching and resurfacing east of the bridge for a combined investment of $65.7 million.

A $49.7 million project began in 2021 with the demolition and replacement of the westbound bridge deck, followed by the eastbound bridge deck in 2022. The final stage of the project, which patched and resurfaced I-280 from the bridge to the Illinois 92 interchange, was combined with another $16 million improvement that extended the work from the Illinois 92 interchange to east of the Milan Beltway. Additional work included bridge painting and lighting upgrades at Illinois 92. The Iowa Department of Transportation contributed $18.9 million to the bridge improvements.

Legislative Action of Note:

HR 520, National Infrastructure Bank was filed. This resolution urges the United States Congress to pass H.R. 4052 to create a new national infrastructure bank to finance urgently needed infrastructure projects.

State Rulemaking

There was adopted rulemaking of note for this Council in the November 27th edition of the Illinois Register. There was no rulemaking of note in the December 1st edition.

The Secretary of State adopted amendments to Issuance of Licenses (92 IAC 1030; proposed at 47 Ill Reg 12012 and 12360) and Commercial Driver Training Schools (92 IAC 1060; proposed at 47 Ill Reg 12372), both effective 11/7/23 at 47 Ill Reg 17529, concerning road testing for motorcycle operators and road testing administered by commercial driver training schools. The Part 1030 amendments, which combine two separately proposed rulemakings, implement PA 103-162 by removing the road testing requirement for motorcycle drivers under 18 who have completed an IDOT-approved motorcycle safety training course. They also make permanent a pilot program allowing teen-accredited commercial driver training schools (in addition to SOS facilities) to administer road tests to high school students who have completed driver education courses. Commercial schools may also administer road tests to individuals under 18 who are not attending or did not complete high school but still meet Illinois Vehicle Code requirements for obtaining a driver's license. A minimum score of 80% is required on the commercial driver training school test, and the facility is no longer required to complete a form exempting the individual from a facility-administered road test when applying for a license at an SOS facility. Amendments to Part 1060 establish requirements for commercial driving schools and their instructors to become certified to administer these tests. Instructors must have at least 2 years experience in behind the wheel instruction to teens and must administer at least 25 road tests per year; an instructor who does not meet the 25-test minimum must take a refresher course to maintain certification. Requirements for driving test routes, test procedures, vehicles, recordkeeping, and reporting are also included. Commercial driving schools are affected by these rulemakings.  

Save the Date: 10th Annual Illinois Chamber New Laws Forum

The New Laws Forum focuses on the new laws and legal developments that will affect ALL Illinois employers in 2024 and beyond. The forum features Illinois attorneys and experts speaking about Illinois laws – as well as representatives from government agencies talking about the latest changes and your peers, a panel of Senior HR professionals discussing how the laws have and will affect their businesses. It's already been a busy year, and more regulation is coming.

When: December 5, 2023 | 8:30 am – 4:30 pm

Where: Doubletree Hilton l 3003 Corporate West Drive

Lisle, IL 60532

Register Here.

Articles of Interest  

Pritzker discusses electric vehicle development, labor benefits in Illinois

Illinois primary candidates brave the cold to initiate 2024 election cycle

Fed’s Interest Rate Hikes Are Probably Over, but Officials Are Reluctant to Say So

Biden’s EV Subsidy Rules Leave Room for Chinese Suppliers

Retailers Are Turning to AI to Get Smarter About Inventory

Not a member and want to learn more about the Illinois Chamber - click here to contact Danielle Blake. Click here to contact Jack Bernhardt.