HB5576 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB104 20189 RTM 33640 b

104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2025 and 2026
HB5576

Introduced 2/13/2026, by Rep. Sonya M. Harper

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

70 ILCS 3615/2.01d

Amends the Regional Transportation Authority Act. Provides that the Northern Illinois Transit Authority may not withdraw moneys from the Authority's ADA Paratransit Fund unless the Authority: (1) implements a program to collect data about the reliability of paratransit services that evaluates each driver's performance; (2) requires regular training sessions, including training to assist visually impaired and deaf riders traveling door-to-door, for drivers who received poor evaluations; and (3) requires all reservation methods to permit caregivers to book rides for visually impaired and deaf riders.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning local government.

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

Section 5. The Regional Transportation Authority Act is amended by changing Section 2.01d as follows:

(70 ILCS 3615/2.01d)

Sec. 2.01d. ADA Paratransit Fund.

(a) The Authority shall establish an ADA Paratransit Fund and, each year, deposit into that Fund the following amounts: (i) a base amount equal to $115,000,000 in 2012, and, each year thereafter, an amount equal to the final budgeted funding for ADA paratransit services for the current year, (ii) any funds received from the State pursuant to appropriations for the purpose of funding ADA paratransit services, and (iii) any additional funds necessary to fund the budget or amended budget for ADA paratransit services adopted or approved by the Board for the current year. The amounts on deposit in the Fund and interest and other earnings on those amounts shall be used by the Authority to make grants to the Suburban Bus Board for ADA paratransit services provided pursuant to plans approved by the Authority under Section 2.30 of this Act. Funds received by the Suburban Bus Board from the Authority's ADA Paratransit Fund shall be used only to provide ADA paratransit services to individuals who are determined to be eligible for such services by the Authority under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and its implementing regulations. Revenues from and costs of services provided by the Suburban Bus Board with grants made under this Section shall be included in the Annual Budget and Two-Year Financial Program of the Suburban Bus Board and shall be subject to all budgetary and financial requirements under this Act that apply to ADA paratransit services. Beginning in 2008, the Executive Director shall, no later than August 15 of each year, provide to the Board a written determination of the projected annual costs of ADA paratransit services that are required to be provided pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and its implementing regulations for the current year. The Authority shall conduct triennial financial, compliance, and performance audits of ADA paratransit services to assist in this determination.

(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, the Authority may not withdraw moneys from the ADA Paratransit Fund unless the Authority:

(1) implements a program to collect data about the reliability of paratransit services that evaluates each driver's performance;

(2) requires regular training sessions, including training to assist visually impaired and deaf riders traveling door-to-door, for drivers who received poor evaluations under paragraph (1);

(3) requires every method that allows a rider to use a service provided by the Authority to allow caregivers to reserve rides for visually impaired and deaf riders.

(Source: P.A. 97-399, eff. 8-16-11.)