News Updates

Rail safety resources for northeastern Illinois

Rail safety in Illinois is impacted by numerous factors — thousands of highway-rail crossings, both on state and local roads; separated crossings on bridges; private property or private bridge structures; and pedestrian grade crossings. The Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) is responsible for rail safety in the state, rail complaints, and the administration of several important programs. According to the ICC, Illinois is second only to Texas in the total number of highway-rail crossings. Improving safety is critical for the region; the resources below provide information and support for communities.

Illinois Operation Lifesaver

The ICC’s non-profit public safety education and awareness organization is dedicated to reducing collisions, injuries, and fatalities at highway-rail crossings along Illinois nearly 7,400 miles of active rail lines.

Federal Railroad Administration

The FRA has guidance on pedestrian crossing safety near passenger rail stations, with strategies to reduce pedestrian fatalities. Railroads, transit agencies, and local communities can use this guidance to develop projects that improve station safety.

Generally, the State of Illinois cannot pass laws that interfere with interstate commerce or with the FRA. There is no enforcement mechanism for railroad crossing blockages, but the FRA crowd-sources blocked crossings data and members of the public are encouraged to report issues. In 2023, more than 1,700 reports were made in Illinois alone.

Grade crossing maintenance

Railroads are responsible for maintaining the warning devices and crossing surfaces at the crossing, while local highway authorities are responsible for maintaining advance warning signs that are not on the railroad right-of-way. Complaints and inquiries about railroad safety should be submitted to the ICC’s crossing complaint wizard; the ICC will investigate and contact the railroad about repairs.

Hazardous materials

The ICC employs inspectors who inspect hazardous material shipments in Illinois, and railroad safety complaints and inquiries may be submitted online. The ICC also prepares annual reports on accidents/incidents involving hazardous materials on railroads in Illinois, dating back to 1998.  

Malfunctioning warning devices

The railroad that owns the tracks over the crossing is responsible for maintaining those warning devices. If a device is not working, individuals should report it by calling the toll-free phone number posted on the warning device or the signal cabinet near the device. Call the railroad emergency number before dialing 911 for emergencies — the railroad can stop trains, but local police and fire dispatchers cannot.

Railroad fencing

Railroads are required to maintain existing fences, but are not required to install fences (except in a few cases, like farm areas). Intertrack fences near Metra stations that prevent trespassing are highly recommended but not required, and are left up to each railroad to install and maintain. But fences along the route can be installed through a cooperative effort between the railroad and a municipality. Some communities, such as Villa Park, have worked with railroads to address trespassing and safety crossing issues related to intertrack fencing.

Sounding of horns and quiet zones

The Swift Rail Development Act requires the use of locomotive horns at public highway-rail grade crossings, but gives the FRA the authority to make reasonable exceptions. The FRA is responsible for determining whether a railroad at-grade crossing can safely be excluded from the sounding of horns. For more information, please visit the FRA website.