Illinois legislation · 104th General Assembly
Illinois HB3743: SCH CD-RAILROAD SAFETY
Status: Signed into law, July 24, 2026
Amends the School Code. Requires each school district to include in its handbook for grades kindergarten through 12 railroad safety messaging. Allows a school to opt-out of the messaging requirement if the school district votes that the inclusion of such messaging is unnecessary.
What the bill says
An act concerning education.
From the engrossed text, March 26, 2025:
AN ACT concerning education. Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly: Section 5.The School Code is amended by adding Section 22-101 as follows: (105 ILCS 5/22-101 new) [ADDED: Sec. 22-101. ][ADDED: Railroad safety messaging. ][ADDED: Each school ] [ADDED: district shall include in its student handbook for grades ] [ADDED: kindergarten through 12 the following railroad safety ] [ADDED: messaging:] [ADDED: (1) Cross tracks only at designated pedestrian or ] [ADDED: roadway crossings and observe and obey all warning signs ] [ADDED: and signals.] [ it is illegal and ] [ADDED: dangerous. By the time a locomotive engineer sees a ] [ADDED: trespasser or vehicle on the tracks, it is too late to stop ] [ADDED: even when the emergency brakes are activated.] [ADDED: (3) The only safe place to cross is at a designated ] [ADDED: public crossing, equipped with crossbucks, flashing red ] [ADDED: lights, or gates. Crossing anywhere else is trespassing, ] [ADDED: which can result in a ticket and fine.] [ADDED: (4) Do not cross tracks immediately after a train ] [ADDED: passes. Additional trains may be approaching when blocked ] HB3743 Engrossed- 2 -LRB104 11404 LNS 21492 b HB3743 Engrossed - 2 - LRB104 11404 LNS 21492 b HB3743 Engrossed - 2 - LRB104 11404 LNS …
Sponsors
- Matt Hanson (D, 83) · primary sponsor
- Martha Deuter (D, 45)
- Anne Stava-Murray (D, 81)
- Norma Hernandez (D, 77)
- Nabeela Syed (D, 51)
- Diane Blair-Sherlock (D, 46)
- Terra Costa Howard (D)
- Sharon Chung (D, 91)
- Margaret Croke (D, 12)
- Thaddeus Jones (D, 29)
- Kam Buckner (D, 26)
- Nicholas K. Smith (D, 34)
Latest actions
- : Public Act . . . . . . . . . 104-0590
- : Effective Date July 24, 2026
- : Governor Approved
- : Sent to the Governor
- : Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Tony M. McCombie
- : Passed Both Houses
- : Third Reading - Passed; 056-001-000
- : Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Justin Cochran
- : Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Margaret A. DeLaRosa
- : Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading May 5, 2026
Votes
- Third Reading - Passed (May 19, 2026): 56 yea, 1 nay, passed
- Do Pass Education (April 29, 2026): 12 yea, 1 nay, passed
- Third Reading - Short Debate - Passed (April 9, 2025): 112 yea, 0 nay, passed
- House Floor Amendment No. 1 Recommends Be Adopted Elementary & Secondary Education: Administration, Licensing & Charter Schools (April 7, 2025): 8 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Do Pass / Short Debate Elementary & Secondary Education: Administration, Licensing & Charter Schools (March 19, 2025): 6 yea, 3 nay, passed
Subjects: ILCS 105 - Schools
Common questions
- What is HB3743?
- HB3743 is a bill in the Illinois Legislature (104th General Assembly): SCH CD-RAILROAD SAFETY.
- What does HB3743 do?
- In its own words: An act concerning education.
- What is the status of HB3743?
- Signed into law as of July 24, 2026. Latest action: Public Act . . . . . . . . . 104-0590 (July 24, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB3743?
- Matt Hanson (D, 83), with 11 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HB3743?
- On the Illinois Legislature website: https://www.ilga.gov/Legislation/BillStatus?DocNum=3743&GAID=18&DocTypeID=HB&SessionID=114
Source: official Illinois record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.