Bill Amendment: IL HB4759 | 2025-2026 | 104th General Assembly

NOTE: For additional amemendments please see the Bill Drafting List

---

Bill Title: GREEN LIGHT FOR BUSES

Status: 2026-04-17 - House Floor Amendment No. 1 Rule 19(c) / Re-referred to Rules Committee [HB4759 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2025-HB4759-House_Amendment_001.html

---

Rep. Theresa Mah

Filed: 4/9/2026

 

 

 

10400HB4759ham001 LRB104 19857 LNS 35571 a
AMENDMENT TO HOUSE BILL 4759
AMENDMENT NO. ______. Amend House Bill 4759 by replacing
everything after the enacting clause with the following:
"Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the Green
Light for Buses Act.
Section 5. Definitions. As used in this Act:
"Authority" means the Northern Illinois Transit Authority.
"Committee" means the Committee on Efficient Arterial
Signal Infrastructure established under this Act.
"Department" means the Department of Transportation.
"Mass transit district" means any local mass transit
district created pursuant to the Local Mass Transit District
Act, any urban transportation district created pursuant to the
Urban Transportation District Act, or any successor transit
agency operating fixed-route public transportation service in
the State.

10400HB4759ham001 - 2 - LRB104 19857 LNS 35571 a
"Person throughput" means the number of persons moved
through a corridor in a given period of time across all travel
modes, measured using available data and reasonable estimation
methodologies.
"Queue jump" means a roadway treatment or signal phase
that enables a bus to proceed through an intersection ahead of
general traffic.
"Roadway" means a street, road, or highway under the
jurisdiction of the Department or a unit of local government.
"Secretary" means the Secretary of Transportation.
"Service Board" means the Board of the Commuter Rail
Division of the Authority, the Board of the Suburban Bus
Division of the Authority, and the Board of the Chicago
Transit Authority established pursuant to the Chicago Transit
Authority Act.
"Traffic capacity" means the designed capacity for traffic
volume on a roadway facility.
"Traffic volume" means the number of persons moved through
a corridor in a given period of time, across all travel modes
measured using available data and reasonable estimation
methodologies.
"Transit-served intersection" means an intersection:
(1) through which 2 or more scheduled bus trips per
hour per direction during weekday peak periods as defined
by the Service Board or Mass Transit District operating
such service; or

10400HB4759ham001 - 3 - LRB104 19857 LNS 35571 a
(2) within 1,500 feet of a passenger rail station or
transit rail station and through which at least one
scheduled bus route operates.
"Transit signal priority" or "TSP" means the operational
strategies and associated equipment, software, communications,
and timing changes that improve the movement of public
transportation vehicles through signalized intersections.
"Vehicle traffic capacity" means the designed capacity for
vehicle traffic volume on a roadway facility.
"Vehicle traffic volume" means the number of motor
vehicles traveling through a corridor in a given period.
Section 10. Establishment of the Committee.
(a) The Committee on Efficient Arterial Signal
Infrastructure shall be established to advise the Department
on strategies and initiatives to improve public transit
service efficiency and reliability through roadway and
signalization infrastructure improvements in a metropolitan
region.
(b) The Committee shall make recommendations to increase
the person throughput of roadway corridors within a
metropolitan region, and that maintain or reduce the vehicle
traffic capacity of those same corridors.
(c) As needed, the Committee shall coordinate with the
Interagency Coordinating Committee on Transit Innovation,
Integration, and Reform.

10400HB4759ham001 - 4 - LRB104 19857 LNS 35571 a
(d) The Committee shall meet at the call of the Chair or
Co-Chair, but not less than quarterly.
The Committee shall be subject to the Open Meetings Act
and the Freedom of Information Act.
(e) The Department shall provide administrative support to
the Committee.
Subject to appropriation and applicable procurement law,
the Department may procure consulting assistance necessary to
support the work of the Committee.
(f) The Committee shall, at a minimum:
(1) inventory and review controlled intersections,
traffic signals, and on-board bus equipment along
corridors where transit signal priority is operational, in
advanced planning or engineering, and in a long range plan
for implementation;
(2) develop strategies and recommendations to expand
transit signal priority and related transit-supportive
signal operations that increase traffic capacity and
improve transit travel-time reliability;
(3) review the Evaluation Report for the Regional
Transit Signal Priority Implementation Program as
published in 2019 by the Regional Transportation Authority
for updates, including:
(A) a map and description of where transit signal
priority is operational, where queue jumps are
operational, and where transit signal priority

10400HB4759ham001 - 5 - LRB104 19857 LNS 35571 a
projects are currently in advanced planning or
engineering;
(B) a review of technological, legal, and
procedural impediments experienced while implementing
current or planned transit signal priority projects;
(C) a review of performance measures used to
evaluate TSP corridors, including impediments to
adoption and collection of quantitative data; and
(D) recommendations for legal or procedural
changes that would allow for signal optimization on
corridors where transit signal priority is operational
to achieve improved performance relative to the
established performance measures;
(4) develop objectives and recommended approaches for
providing technical assistance to units of local
government and transit operators for implementation of the
Committee's recommendations;
(5) estimate costs associated with procuring,
installing, operating, maintaining, and replacing signal
priority infrastructure, including;
(A) an estimate of the cost of the infrastructure
required for planned and future signal priority
implementations identified in the report;
(B) an estimate of signal timing optimization and
ongoing maintenance for existing corridors where
transit signal priority is operational;

10400HB4759ham001 - 6 - LRB104 19857 LNS 35571 a
(C) a review of the cost differences between
alternative signal priority systems, including passive
signal priority and centralized signal priority; and
(D) a review of the challenges in the procurement
of signal priority infrastructure and maintenance
services;
(6) estimate economic impacts associated with the
Committee's recommendations, including;
(A) an estimate of the cost savings in vehicle and
operator expenses per mile of revenue service;
(B) an estimate of the value of travel time
savings for all persons moved through a corridor,
across all travel modes;
(C) an estimate of the health benefits in
surrounding areas from reduction in brake dust and
engine exhaust; and
(D) an estimate of the impacts to roadway surface
maintenance costs;
(7) estimate, where practicable, anticipated changes
in person throughput and vehicle traffic volume associated
with the Committee's recommendations;
(8) identify opportunities to align or modify existing
and future Department funding programs and grant criteria
to support implementation, including criteria that reward
measurable improvements in person throughput while
maintaining or reducing vehicle traffic capacity or

10400HB4759ham001 - 7 - LRB104 19857 LNS 35571 a
transit signal priority projects in the Department's
Highway Improvement Program; and
(9) submit recommendations for inclusion in the
Department's Public Transportation Plan, including any
recommended legislative or administrative changes needed
to implement best practices.
(g) The Committee shall include the following members,
appointed by the Secretary:
(1) the Secretary or the Secretary's designee;
(2) the Department's Region 1 Engineer or the
Engineer's designee;
(3) one staff member from the Department's Office of
Finance and Administration whose duties involve transit
grant administration or procurement;
(4) one staff member from the Department's Office of
Highways Project Implementation whose duties involve the
operations of local roads and streets;
(5) one staff member from the Office of Intermodal
Project Implementation whose duties involve transit
oversight;
(6) one staff member from the Office of Highway
Planning and Implementation whose duties include planning
in urban areas;
(7) one staff member representing the Northern
Illinois Transit Authority, who shall serve as Chair, as
designated by the Chairman of the Board of the Authority;

10400HB4759ham001 - 8 - LRB104 19857 LNS 35571 a
(8) one staff member representing the Chicago Transit
Authority, who shall serve as Co-Chair, as designated by
the Chairman of the Board of the Chicago Transit
Authority;
(9) one staff member representing the Suburban Bus
Division, who shall serve as Co-Chair, as designated by
the Chairman of the Suburban Bus Board;
(10) one staff member representing the Chicago
Metropolitan Agency for Planning;
(11) one staff member representing the Chicago
Department of Transportation, as designated by the Mayor
of Chicago;
(12) one staff member representing the Cook County
Department of Transportation and Highways, as designated
by the President of the Cook County Board of
Commissioners;
(13) five staff members that are involved in planning,
design, construction, maintenance, and permitted use of
roadways, as designated by the chair of the county boards
of Kane, Lake, McHenry, DuPage, and Will counties; and
(15) additional members as determined necessary by the
Secretary to ensure subject-matter expertise, community
representation, and geographic diversity.
(h) Members shall serve without compensation. To the
extent permitted by law and subject to appropriation, members
may be reimbursed for necessary expenses associated with

10400HB4759ham001 - 9 - LRB104 19857 LNS 35571 a
Committee service in accordance with applicable State travel
rules.
(i) The Committee shall publish a report containing its
findings and recommendations no later than 2 years after the
effective date of this Act.
(1) The Department shall post the report on its
website and transmit the report to the Governor and the
General Assembly.
(2) The Department shall incorporate any
recommendations included in the Committee's report in the
Department's next update of the Public Transportation
Plan.
(j) The Chair may dissolve the Committee 2 years after the
effective date of this Act or continue the Committee as a
working group.
Section 11. Performance metrics and reporting. In
coordination with the Authority, the Chicago Metropolitan
Agency for Planning shall make publicly available on its
Internet website, and update on at least an annual basis, the
following information regarding transit signal priority and
queue jump infrastructure within the metropolitan planning
area:
(1) the total number of traffic signals equipped with
transit signal priority and the total number equipped with
queue jump infrastructure;

10400HB4759ham001 - 10 - LRB104 19857 LNS 35571 a
(2) the current number of signals with transit signal
priority, disaggregated by technology type or
communications standard where such information is
available;
(3) the number of traffic signals where transit signal
priority or queue jump infrastructure is included that are
currently in advanced planning or engineering;
(4) the number of buses capable of engaging a transit
signal priority system, reported by bus garage or
operating division for the Suburban Bus Division and the
Chicago Transit Authority;
(5) an estimate of total annual bus vehicle-hours traveled
on corridors where transit signal priority is operational;
and
(6) a list of bus routes currently operating on corridors
where transit signal priority is operational.
Section 12. State standards.
(a) Within 2 years after the effective date of this Act,
the Department shall update its standards and specifications
governing traffic signal control devices and signal timing
operations to incorporate person throughput as a performance
measure for roadway segments that contain or are adjacent to
transit-served intersections.
In applying such standards, the Department shall evaluate
person throughput as appropriate to the functional

10400HB4759ham001 - 11 - LRB104 19857 LNS 35571 a
classification and operational context of the roadway.
Nothing in this Section shall be construed to require the
Department to implement signal timing changes or device
placements that would conflict with applicable federal
requirements or safety standards.
(b) In updating its standards and specifications under
this Section, the Department shall provide that transit signal
priority systems installed on roadways containing
transit-served intersections operate by default for eligible
public transportation vehicles.
Such standards may allow the Department to limit or
disable transit signal priority at a specific location where
the Department determines that operation would materially
degrade safety or violate applicable traffic control
standards.
Section 15. Implementation authorization.
(a) Under the supervision of the Secretary, and for the
benefit of a Service Board, the Authority may, by ordinance,
establish and administer a transit signal priority program for
public transportation vehicles in the metropolitan region. The
Department shall provide technical support to the program.
Subject to appropriation and applicable procurement law, the
Department may procure consulting assistance necessary to
support the work of the program.
The Authority may provide funding, procure equipment and

10400HB4759ham001 - 12 - LRB104 19857 LNS 35571 a
services, and enter into intergovernmental agreements or other
agreements necessary to plan, design, implement, operate, and
maintain transit signal priority and signal priority
infrastructure on public ways in the metropolitan region.
(b) For any Department-funded project that includes the
installation, modernization, replacement, or retiming of
traffic signals on a roadway segment greater than one mile in
length, including projects that are part of a larger corridor
improvement, containing 2 or more transit-served
intersections, the Department shall notify the Authority or
any mass transit district operating within the project's
geographic scope at least 60 days prior to approval of final
plans, specifications, and estimates.
Following the notification, the Authority or mass transit
district may provide written comments or request that the
Department evaluate incorporating transit signal priority,
queue jumps, or related signal system improvements into the
project. Upon receipt of a request, the Department shall, in
consultation with the requesting Authority or mass transit
district, evaluate the technical feasibility, safety
considerations, and cost-effectiveness of incorporating
infrastructure capable of supporting transit signal priority
into the project. The Department may conduct or commission a
cost-benefit analysis and shall provide available technical
data necessary to support the evaluation.
Where the Department determines, based on the evaluation,

10400HB4759ham001 - 13 - LRB104 19857 LNS 35571 a
that transit signal priority is technically feasible,
cost-effective, and consistent with applicable safety and
traffic control standards, the Department shall incorporate
transit signal priority or the necessary infrastructure to
support future implementation of transit signal priority into
the project design.
Nothing in this subsection requires the Department to fund
or install onboard equipment on public transportation
vehicles, or to implement transit signal priority where doing
so would conflict with applicable safety or traffic control
standards.
(c) For any Department-funded project on a roadway segment
greater than one mile in length, including projects that are
part of a larger corridor improvement, containing or adjacent
to 4 or more transit-served intersections, the Department
shall conduct or commission a study of signal timing and
equipment not less than 30 days prior to approval of final
plans, specifications, and estimates. The study may be waived
upon written agreement with the Authority or mass transit
district operating within the study's geographic scope. The
study shall include:
(1) an itemization of existing signal equipment and
timing plans;
(2) identification of intersections that are not
included in signal synchronization groupings and
recommendations for corrective action; and

10400HB4759ham001 - 14 - LRB104 19857 LNS 35571 a
(3) an optimized signal timing plan for the completed
project, which shall prioritize improvements in person
throughput, and may include passive signal priority where
practicable.
The study shall be completed and transmitted in writing to
the Authority or mass transit district operating within the
study's geographic scope. The Authority or mass transit
district may request design changes recommended by the study
to the Department.
The Department shall implement the study's signal timing
plan to the extent practicable and consistent with safety and
operational requirements.
(d) The Department shall review and may approve reasonable
variances set forth by the Authority or a mass transit
district, for the benefit of bus operations through changes to
signalization operations, to State specifications regarding
signal timing on any roadway under the jurisdiction of the
Department. The Department shall evaluate and document whether
implementation of such variance would improve person
throughput and bus operations without materially degrading
safety performance. If the Department determines that a
variance should not be implemented at a specific location, the
Department shall provide a written determination stating the
engineering and safety basis for that decision within 30 days
after notice has been given. The Department may extend this
notice period for an additional 60 days upon providing a

10400HB4759ham001 - 15 - LRB104 19857 LNS 35571 a
written statement stating the cause.
(e) The Department shall respond in writing to proposals
within 30 days after notice has been given for permission from
the Authority or a mass transit district to place or maintain
any traffic control device upon any roadway under the
jurisdiction of the Department for the purpose of improving
bus operations. The Department may extend this notice period
for an additional 60 days upon providing a written statement
stating the cause.
(f) The Authority or mass transit district may designate a
roadway segment as a future transit signal priority corridor.
Designated future signal priority corridors shall be made
publicly available on an Internet website, and transmitted to
the Department in a written statement. The Department shall
incorporate designated future signal priority corridors in the
Department's next update of the Public Transportation Plan.
(g) The Department shall conduct or commission an
optimized signal timing plan for a designated future transit
signal priority corridor upon any roadway under the
jurisdiction of the Department within one year of a written
request of the Authority or mass transit district, and shall
submit the plan to the requesting Authority or mass transit
district for written approval.
Upon written approval, the Department shall implement the
study's signal timing plan to the extent practicable and
consistent with safety and operational requirements within 180

10400HB4759ham001 - 16 - LRB104 19857 LNS 35571 a
days.
(h) The Department shall notify the Authority or mass
transit district associated with transit signal priority
infrastructure not less than 30 days prior to any construction
or maintenance that may affect transit signal priority
functionality, and within 10 days after becoming aware of
damage to that transit signal priority infrastructure. The
Department shall coordinate with the Authority or mass transit
district to minimize disruption to transit signal priority
operations during and after construction or maintenance
activities.
In the case of emergency maintenance or repairs necessary
to protect public safety or restore roadway operations, the
Department shall provide notice as soon as practicable.
The Department shall restore transit signal priority
functionality prior to completion of construction or
maintenance, unless otherwise agreed in writing with the
affected Authority or mass transit district.
(i) Optimized signal timing plans developed under this Act
shall prioritize improvements in person throughput and, where
practicable, be designed to reduce average intersection delay
experienced by buses relative to existing conditions.
(j) Transit signal priority implemented pursuant to this
Act shall be configured to operate by default for eligible
public transportation vehicles.
Transit signal priority may be limited or disabled at a

10400HB4759ham001 - 17 - LRB104 19857 LNS 35571 a
specific location only where the Department or roadway
authority determines that operation would materially degrade
safety or violate applicable traffic control standards. Any
such determination shall be documented in writing and made
available to the Authority or applicable mass transit district
upon request.
(k) Transit signal priority systems installed on or before
the effective date of this Act on roadways under the
jurisdiction of the Department shall be reviewed by the
Department within one year after the effective date of this
Act. Where practicable and consistent with safety and
operational requirements, the systems shall be configured to
operate by default for eligible public transportation
vehicles.
Nothing in this subsection requires the replacement of
existing equipment that is incapable of supporting transit
signal priority operation.
The Department shall provide a summary of such reviews in
writing to the Authority upon request.
(l) Transit signal priority implemented under this Section
shall not impair emergency vehicle signal preemption, railroad
signal preemption, or other safety-critical signal operations
required by law or engineering standards. For roadways under
the jurisdiction of the Department, implementation under this
Section is subject to the Department's approval and permitting
requirements.

10400HB4759ham001 - 18 - LRB104 19857 LNS 35571 a
Section 20. Local coordination.
(a) For roadways under the jurisdiction of a unit of local
government, implementation under this Section shall be carried
out pursuant to an intergovernmental agreement with the unit
of local government having maintenance jurisdiction.
A unit of local government shall not unreasonably withhold
agreement for transit signal priority improvements that are
consistent with this Act and that are funded in whole or in
part by the Authority or the Department.
If the local government determines that signal priority
improvements should not be implemented at a specific location
under jurisdiction of that local government, the local
government shall provide a written determination stating the
basis for that decision within 30 days after notice has been
given. The local government may extend this notice period for
an additional 60 days upon providing a written statement
stating the cause.
(b) A unit of local government shall notify the Authority
or mass transit district associated with transit signal
priority infrastructure not less than 30 days prior to any
construction or maintenance that may affect transit signal
priority functionality for a roadway segment under the
jurisdiction of that local government, and within 10 days
after becoming aware of damage to that transit signal priority
infrastructure. The local government shall coordinate with the

10400HB4759ham001 - 19 - LRB104 19857 LNS 35571 a
Authority or mass transit district to minimize disruption to
transit signal priority operations during and after
construction or maintenance activities.
In the case of emergency maintenance or repairs necessary
to protect public safety or restore roadway operations, the
local government shall provide notice as soon as practicable.
The local government shall restore transit signal priority
functionality prior to completion of construction or
maintenance, unless otherwise agreed in writing with the
affected Authority or mass transit district.
(c) This Section is a denial and limitation of home rule
powers and functions under subsections (g) and (h) of Section
6 of Article VII of the Illinois Constitution.
Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon
becoming law.".