Illinois General Assembly - Illinois Compiled Statutes

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20 ILCS 2705/2705-305

(20 ILCS 2705/2705-305)

Sec. 2705-305. Grants for mass transportation.

(a) For the purpose of mass
transportation grants and contracts, the following definitions apply:

 "Carrier" means any corporation, authority, partnership,
association, person, or district authorized to provide mass
transportation within the State.

"District" means all of the following:

(i) Any district created pursuant to the Local Mass

Transit District Act.

(ii) The Authority created pursuant to the

Metropolitan Transit Authority Act.

(iii) Any authority, commission, or other entity that

by virtue of an interstate compact approved by Congress is authorized to provide mass transportation.

(iv) The Authority created pursuant to the Regional

Transportation Authority Act.

"Facilities" comprise all real and personal property used in or appurtenant
to a mass transportation system, including parking lots.

"Mass transportation" means transportation provided within the State of
Illinois by rail, bus, or other conveyance and available to the general public
on a regular and continuing basis, including the transportation of persons with disabilities 
or elderly persons as provided more specifically in Section 2705-310.

"Unit of local government" means any city, village, incorporated town, or
county.

(b) Grants may be made to units of local government,
districts, and carriers for
the acquisition, construction, extension, reconstruction, and improvement
of mass transportation facilities. Grants shall be made upon the
terms
and conditions that in the judgment of the Secretary are necessary
to
ensure their proper and effective utilization.

(c) The Department shall make grants under this Law
in a manner
designed, so far as is consistent with the maintenance and development
of a sound mass transportation system within the State, to: (i)
maximize
federal funds for the assistance of mass transportation in Illinois
under the Federal Transit Act and other
federal Acts; (ii) facilitate the movement of persons who because
of age,
economic circumstance, or physical infirmity are unable to drive; (iii)
contribute to an improved environment through the reduction of air,
water, and noise pollution; and (iv) reduce traffic congestion.

(d) The Secretary shall establish procedures for making
application
for mass transportation grants. The procedures shall provide for
public
notice of all applications and give reasonable opportunity for the
submission of comments and objections by interested parties. The
procedures shall be designed with a view to facilitating simultaneous
application for a grant to the Department and to the federal government.

(e) Grants may be made for mass transportation projects as
follows:

(1) In an amount not to exceed 100% of the nonfederal

share of projects for which a federal grant is made.

(2) In an amount not to exceed 100% of the net

project cost for projects for which a federal grant is not made.

(3) In an amount not to exceed five-sixths of the net

project cost for projects essential for the maintenance of a sound transportation system and eligible for federal assistance for which a federal grant application has been made but a federal grant has been delayed.  If and when a federal grant is made, the amount in excess of the nonfederal share shall be promptly returned to the Department.

In no event shall the Department make a grant that, together
with any
federal funds or funds from any other source, is in excess of 100% of the
net project cost.

(f) Regardless of whether any funds are available under a
federal grant,
the Department shall not make a mass transportation grant unless the Secretary
finds that the recipient has entered into an agreement with the Department
in which the recipient agrees not to engage in school bus operations
exclusively for the transportation of students and school personnel in
competition with private school bus operators where those private
school bus
operators are able to provide adequate transportation, at reasonable rates,
in conformance with applicable safety standards, provided that this
requirement shall not apply to a recipient that operates a school
system
in the area to be served and operates a separate and exclusive school bus
program for the school system.

(g) Grants may be made for mass transportation purposes with
funds
appropriated from the Build Illinois Bond Fund consistent with the
specific purposes for which those funds are appropriated by the
General
Assembly.  Grants under this subsection (g) are not subject to any
limitations or conditions imposed upon grants by any other provision of
this Section, except that the Secretary may impose the terms and
conditions that in his or her judgment are necessary to ensure
the proper and
effective utilization of the grants under this subsection.

(h) The Department may let contracts for mass transportation
purposes
and facilities for the purpose of reducing urban congestion funded in whole
or in part with bonds described in subdivision (b)(1) of
Section 4 of the
General Obligation Bond Act, not to exceed $75,000,000 in bonds.

(i) The Department may make grants to carriers, districts, and
units of local government for the purpose of reimbursing
them for providing reduced
fares for mass transportation services for students, persons with disabilities, 
and the elderly.  Grants shall be made upon the terms and
conditions that in
the judgment of the Secretary are necessary to ensure their proper and
effective utilization.

(j) The Department may make grants to carriers, districts, and units of local government for costs of providing ADA paratransit service.

(Source: P.A. 99-143, eff. 7-27-15.)