Shown verbatim: the complete text as captured from the official PDF posted by the Illinois General Assembly, fetched 2026-09-25. Page and line markers are part of the official record; nothing is edited or removed. This is the current version. The official bill page.
HB3743 Enrolled LRB104 11404 LNS 21492 b
1 AN ACT concerning education.
2 Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
3 represented in the General Assembly:
4 Section 5. The School Code is amended by adding Section
5 22-101 as follows:
6 (105 ILCS 5/22-101 new)
7 Sec. 22-101. Railroad safety messaging. Each school
8 district shall include in its student handbook for grades
9 kindergarten through 12 the following railroad safety
10 messaging:
11 (1) Cross tracks only at designated pedestrian or
12 roadway crossings and observe and obey all warning signs
13 and signals.
14 (2) Never walk down a train track; it is illegal and
15 dangerous. By the time a locomotive engineer sees a
16 trespasser or vehicle on the tracks, it is too late to stop
17 even when the emergency brakes are activated.
18 (3) The only safe place to cross is at a designated
19 public crossing, equipped with crossbucks, flashing red
20 lights, or gates. Crossing anywhere else is trespassing,
21 which can result in a ticket and fine.
22 (4) Do not cross tracks immediately after a train
23 passes. Additional trains may be approaching when blocked
HB3743 Enrolled -2- LRB104 11404 LNS 21492 b
1 by the first. Trains can travel at any time and in either
2 direction. Wait until both directions can be clearly
3 observed.
4 (5) Flashing red lights signal that a train or rail
5 equipment is approaching from either direction, and a fine
6 can be charged for ignoring such signals. Never walk
7 around or stop between lowered gates at a crossing. Do not
8 cross the tracks until the red lights stop flashing and it
9 is safe to do so.
10 (6) Rails and recreation do not mix.
11 A school district may opt-out of this requirement if the
12 school board of the school district determines that the
13 inclusion of such messaging is unnecessary based on local
14 context or the messaging's alignment with curriculum.
15 Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect on July
16 1, 2026.Every fact on this page links to its source, starting with the official bill record.