summary
Introduced
02/04/2026
02/04/2026
In Committee
05/15/2026
05/15/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
104th General Assembly
Bill Summary
Creates the Autonomous Vehicle Pilot Project Act. Provides that in order to commence an autonomous vehicle pilot project, a person must provide to the Department of Transportation a statement that sets forth the operational design domain for an autonomous vehicle pilot project. Provides that the operational design domain for an autonomous vehicle pilot project must be confined to counties having or exceeding a population of 1,000,000 individuals, as determined by the most recent federal decennial census, Sangamon County, or the counties of Madison, St. Clair, and Monroe. Allows the Department to authorize the statewide deployment of autonomous vehicles beyond the operational design domain after a period of 3 years following the effective date of the Act, as long as the Department determines the pilot projects conducted have demonstrated safety and operational readiness. Sets forth the conditions a person must meet to operate an autonomous vehicle on the public roads of the State with the automated driving system engaged. Requires a person to obtain authorization from the Department to operate an autonomous vehicle on the public roads of the State. Includes provisions regarding licensing, duties following crashes involving autonomous vehicles, registration and title, operation of a motor vehicle with an automated driving system by a human driver, vehicle equipment standards, evaluation data, the controlling authority, and home rule. Repeals the Act on January 1, 2029. Makes conforming changes to the Illinois Vehicle Code and the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act. Effective immediately.
AI Summary
This bill, titled the Autonomous Vehicle Pilot Project Act, establishes a framework for testing and deploying autonomous vehicles (vehicles with automated driving systems capable of performing the entire driving task) in Illinois. To begin a pilot project, companies must inform the Department of Transportation about the vehicle's "operational design domain," which is the specific set of conditions under which the automated driving system is designed to function. Initially, these pilot projects are limited to counties with over 1,000,000 residents, Sangamon County, or the Metro East region (Madison, St. Clair, and Monroe counties). After three years, the Department can authorize statewide deployment if pilot projects demonstrate safety and readiness. The bill outlines conditions for operating autonomous vehicles on public roads, including requirements for the automated driving system to achieve a safe state or request human intervention in case of failure, compliance with traffic laws, proper insurance, and obtaining authorization from the Department, which includes submitting a plan for interacting with first responders. The bill also clarifies that when an automated driving system is engaged, it is considered the driver and is licensed to operate the vehicle, and it makes conforming changes to other Illinois laws, such as the Illinois Vehicle Code and the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act, before being repealed on January 1, 2029.
Committee Categories
Government Affairs
Sponsors (3)
Last Action
Sponsor Removed Sen. Lakesia Collins (on 05/19/2026)
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