HB5277eng 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HB5277 Engrossed LRB103 37474 MXP 67597 b

AN ACT concerning transportation.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The Department of Transportation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois is amended by adding Section 2705-630 as follows:

(20 ILCS 2705/2705-630 new)

Sec. 2705-630. Transit-to-Trails Grant Program.

(a) The Secretary of Transportation shall establish a grant program, to be known as the "Transit-to-Trails Grant Program", under which the Secretary shall award grants to eligible entities for projects that facilitate travel by public transportation to public outdoor recreation sites for outdoor activities, including hiking, biking, boating, picnicking, hunting, fishing, wildlife observation, or other nature-based activities. Projects that may receive funding through the grant program include, but are not limited to, projects that lead to:

(1) altered or expanded operation of existing transit service to accommodate increased access by the public to outdoor recreation activities;

(2) new or improved infrastructure to facilitate safe, convenient access to outdoor recreation sites, including, but not limited to, stations, stops, shelters, and bicycle infrastructure; and

(3) public outreach, education, and engagement efforts to inform the public and encourage use of transit and access to outdoor recreation.

(b) The Secretary shall offer grants through the Transit-to-Trails program on an annual basis. The Department of Transportation shall adopt rules necessary to implement and administer the program.

(c) Eligible recipients of grants under the program shall include:

(1) public transit agencies;

(2) owners of outdoor recreation lands accessible by the general public, including parks districts, conservation districts, forest preserve districts;

(3) units of local government, State agencies, and nonprofit organizations engaged in facilitating outdoor recreation opportunities.

(d) In considering grant applications, the Department shall prioritize projects with demonstrated intent to enhance access to outdoor recreation opportunities for populations in greatest need of improved access to outdoor nature-based recreation. These populations shall be defined as residents of:

(1) R3 Areas, as established under Section 10-40 of the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act, where residents have historically been excluded from economic opportunities;

(2) environmental justice communities, as defined by the Illinois Power Agency under the Illinois Power Agency Act, where residents have historically been subject to disproportionate burdens of pollution; and

(3) a community that can demonstrate to the Secretary that the community has inadequate, insufficient, or no park space or recreation facilities, including by demonstrating:

(A) quality concerns relating to the available park space or recreation facilities;

(B) the presence of recreational facilities that do not serve the needs of the community;

(C) the inequitable distribution of park space for high-need populations based on income, age, or other measures of vulnerability and need; or

(D) at least 50% of the population is not located within 1/2 mile of park space.

(e) Upon request, the Department shall provide technical assistance in preparing grant applications under this Section. Implementation of this Section is subject to appropriation by the General Assembly.