SPRINGFIELD — Students will soon be educated on railroad safety under a new law spearheaded by State Senator Suzy Glowiak Hilton.
“Trains move fast through our cities to transport people and goods but can pose a serious threat if people aren’t aware of the safety precautions,” said Glowiak Hilton (D-Western Springs). “Understanding why crossings are designed the way they are and the importance of warning signals can protect students from a dangerous situation.”
House Bill 3743 will require all K-12 public schools to include railroad safety information in their student handbook. The Glowiak Hilton law will allow a school to opt out of this requirement if the school board determines that railroad safety is covered in the school's curriculum.
According to the Illinois Commerce Commission, highway-rail crash statistics for 2025 indicate that Illinois had 134 collisions between trains and motor vehicles or pedestrians at highway-rail crossings. Thirty-four people were killed and 27 seriously injured.
“This is about prioritizing safety for our students,” said Glowiak Hilton. “Sharing information about rail safety encourages informed decisions and helps bring awareness to the entire community.”
House Bill 3743 was signed into law Friday and takes effect immediately.
