Illinois 96th Regular Session Status: Passed Senate 1 D cosponsors

SR 273 — POTUS-APPOINT STB MEMBER

Last action — Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Tabled Pursuant to Rule 5-4(a)

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  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed Senate
  4. 4
    Passed House
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill died with 96th Regular Session. It reached “Passed Senate” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.

This bill is no longer active — its legislative session has ended, so there is no live prognosis. It would have to be reintroduced in the current session to move again.

Summary

Urges President Obama to fill the vacancy on the Surface Transportation Board with an appointee with extensive knowledge of transportation, freight, and shipping issues quickly; and informs the President that the State of Illinois, including the Department of Transportation, will show preference in the programming of railroad funds and rail-to-road grade separation project funds to projects where the federal Surface Transportation Board has ordered a private entity to partially fund improvements necessary to mitigate impacts at significantly affected grade crossings.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

44 added · 49 removed

Plain-language change summary

The revised bill (SR 273) has removed references to communities that previously accepted negotiated settlements from Canadian National Railway, which limited their ability to voice safety concerns. This change emphasizes the importance of appointing a new member to the Surface Transportation Board (STB) who is attuned to community impacts, rather than focusing on specific past settlements. This matters because it aims to ensure that the new STB member will consider the broader public safety and environmental effects of railroad operations, potentially leading to better oversight and community protection in future railroad decisions.

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*LRB09612747GRL26490r* SR0273 LRB096 12747 GRL 26490 r SENATE RESOLUTION WHEREAS, Many communities throughout the Chicago area have already begun experiencing public safety issues and serious traffic congestion due to the acquisition of the Elgin, Joliet and Eastern (EJ&E) railroad by Canadian National Railway;
*LRB09612747GRL26490r* 09600SR0273 Enrolled LRB096 12747 GRL 26490 r SENATE RESOLUTION NO.
273 WHEREAS, Many communities throughout the Chicago area have already begun experiencing public safety issues and serious traffic congestion due to the acquisition of the Elgin, Joliet and Eastern (EJ&E) railroad by Canadian National Railway;
and WHEREAS, Communities that have agreed to accept negotiated settlements from Canadian National are barred from publicly expressing public safety issues and other concerns surrounding Canadian National Railway's operations on the EJ&E as part of the terms of the agreements;
and SR0273 -2- LRB096 12747 GRL 26490 r WHEREAS, The Surface Transportation Board's three-member governing body has a vacancy due to the departure of board member W.
and WHEREAS, The Surface Transportation Board's three-member governing body has a vacancy due to the departure of board member W.
therefore, be it RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we urge President Obama to appoint a new Surface Transportation Board member quickly;
therefore, be it RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL 09600SR0273 Enrolled -2- LRB096 12747 GRL 26490 r ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we urge President Obama to appoint a new Surface Transportation Board member quickly;
and be it further RESOLVED, That we also urge President Obama to choose a Board nominee who will consider population growth and economic impact when evaluating railway acquisitions, mergers, and SR0273 -3- LRB096 12747 GRL 26490 r other Surface Transportation Board regulatory issues;
and be it further RESOLVED, That we also urge President Obama to choose a Board nominee who will consider population growth and economic impact when evaluating railway acquisitions, mergers, and other Surface Transportation Board regulatory issues;
and be it further RESOLVED, That we inform President Obama that the State of Illinois, including the Department of Transportation, will show preference in the programming of railroad funds and rail-to-road grade separation project funds to projects where the federal Surface Transportation Board has ordered a private entity to partially fund improvements necessary to mitigate impacts at significantly affected grade crossings;
and be it further RESOLVED, That we inform President Obama that the State of Illinois will, to the greatest extent possible, give consideration in the programming of railroad funds and 09600SR0273 Enrolled -3- LRB096 12747 GRL 26490 r rail-to-road grade separation project funds to projects where the federal Surface Transportation Board has ordered a private entity to partially fund improvements necessary to mitigate impacts at significantly affected grade crossings;
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Action History

  1. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Tabled Pursuant to Rule 5-4(a)

  2. Resolution Adopted as Amended

  3. Senate Floor Amendment No. 3 Adopted; Holmes

  4. Senate Floor Amendment No. 2 Adopted; Holmes

  5. Senate Floor Amendment No. 2 Be Approved for Consideration Assignments

  6. Senate Floor Amendment No. 3 Recommend Do Adopt State Government and Veterans Affairs; 007-000-000

  7. Senate Floor Amendment No. 3 Assignments Refers to State Government and Veterans Affairs

  8. Senate Floor Amendment No. 3 Referred to Assignments

  9. Senate Floor Amendment No. 3 Filed with Secretary by Sen. Linda Holmes

  10. Senate Floor Amendment No. 2 Referred to Assignments

  11. Senate Floor Amendment No. 2 Filed with Secretary by Sen. Linda Holmes

  12. Placed on Calendar Order of Secretary's Desk Resolutions May 29, 2009

  13. Be Adopted State Government and Veterans Affairs; 009-000-000

  14. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Postponed - State Government and Veterans Affairs

  15. Waive Posting Notice

  16. Added as Chief Co-Sponsor Sen. Pamela J. Althoff

  17. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Assignments Refers to State Government and Veterans Affairs

  18. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Referred to Assignments

  19. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Filed with Secretary by Sen. Linda Holmes

  20. Assigned to State Government and Veterans Affairs

  21. Added as Chief Co-Sponsor Sen. Dan Duffy

  22. Referred to Assignments

  23. Filed with Secretary

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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0 sponsors · 1 co-sponsors · 182 not signed on

Sponsors (0)

None.

Co-sponsors (1)

Not signed on (182)

182 members have not signed on to this bill.

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"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

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Subjects

transportation
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Frequently asked questions

What does SR 273 do?
Urges President Obama to fill the vacancy on the Surface Transportation Board with an appointee with extensive knowledge of transportation, freight, and shipping issues quickly; and informs the President that the State of Illinois, including the Department of Transportation, will show preference in the programming of railroad funds and rail-to-road grade separation project funds to projects where the federal Surface Transportation Board has ordered a private entity to partially fund improvements necessary to mitigate impacts at significantly affected grade crossings.
Who sponsors SR 273?
SR 273 is sponsored by Linda Holmes (Democrat).
What is the current status of SR 273?
This bill died with 96th Regular Session. It reached “Passed Senate” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.
Where can I track SR 273?
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Last checked for changes 3 months ago · updated continuously

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