Category: Transportation Law
Montgomery v. Caribe Transport II, LLC and Its Implications
On May 14, 2026, the Supreme Court of the United States ruled on the case of Montgomery v. Caribe Transport II, LLC, 608 U.S. 219 (2026), unanimously holding that negligent-hiring claims against freight brokers are not preempted by the Federal Aviation Administration Authorization Act (FAAAA) because they fall within the statute’s safety exception. The federal
FMCSA Temporarily Relaxes Hours-of-Service Rules for Fuel Haulers
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has issued a temporary waiver giving motor carriers and drivers transporting gasoline and diesel fuel more flexibility under federal hours-of-service (HOS) rules. The waiver took effect on September 16, 2026, and remains in place through December 16, 2026. FMCSA said it issued the waiver in anticipation of increased
Rebuild Illinois Collected Billions for Roads. Why Haven’t Drivers Seen Better Results?
When Illinois launched the Rebuild Illinois infrastructure program in 2019, state leaders promised major investments in roads and bridges funded by higher transportation-related taxes and fees. Seven years later, however, many drivers are still waiting to see noticeable improvements. While Road Fund revenue has grown significantly since the law took effect, spending has not kept
Illinois Tollway Proposes $26.5 Billion Capital Program Funded by Toll Increases
Illinois Tollway Proposes $26.5 Billion Capital Program Funded by Toll Increases The Illinois Tollway recently unveiled a proposed 15-year, $26.5 billion capital improvement program called “Driving Connections”. The initiative is designed to fund major transportation infrastructure projects across the Tollway’s service area in northern Illinois, including roadway reconstruction, bridge rehabilitation, interchange upgrades, and technology improvements.
Transportation Chief Takes Action on English Test for Truck Drivers
On April 28, 2025, President Donald Trump issued an executive order enforcing the federal requirement that professional drivers be proficient in English. The President says that under Federal law, in order to operate a commercial vehicle, a driver must “read and speak the English language sufficiently to converse with the general public, to understand highway
Illinois Lawmakers Given More Time to Address CTA Service Cuts
As a result of anticipated 2026 budget cuts, funds originally set aside for both Metra and Pace are now being reallocated to the Chicago Transit Authority to help extend services further into next year. This has given legislators in the state more time to address the previously made cuts and attempt to fill the budget
Governor Pritzker Signs Legislation to Modernize Infrastructure Improvement Process
In June, Governor Pritzker signed legislation, allowing for the implementation of design-build project delivery. This is an efficient, alternative method for completing the state’s infrastructure improvements. Senate Bill 2981 creates the Innovations for Transportation Infrastructure Act, authorizing the Illinois Department of Transportation and the Illinois Tollway Authority to adopt a design-build delivery method on highway
Safe Streets and Roads for All: A Grant Opportunity
Danger on the Roads Roadway deaths and injuries in the US have reached a decade high. Specifically, pedestrian fatalities on US roads have increased by more than 50% in the past decade. This rise has been called a “crisis on America’s roadways” by Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg. Experts attribute this rise to increased cellphone
Changes to Illinois’ Scott’s Law
Illinois’ “Scott’s Law” – otherwise known as the “Move Over” Law – was mandated in 2017 in order to provide more safety to vehicles displaying flashing emergency lights, including commercial trucks and cars. The law mandates vehicles approaching another vehicle displaying alternative flashing lights to move over and slow down for stopped emergency or maintenance
Truck Driver Shortage Causing Consumer Prices to Rise
Truck driver shortages often increase the costs of goods and hurt the economy. Approximately 70% of all consumer goods are transported by truck and, right now, the trucking industry is in desperate need of new drivers: 60,000 to be precise. According to the American Trucking Association (“ATA”), that is the number of drivers that are