093_HB2587

 
                                     LRB093 06483 JAM 06608 b

 1        AN ACT concerning the Department of Transportation.

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

 4        Section  5.  The  Department of Transportation Law of the
 5    Civil Administrative Code of Illinois is  amended  by  adding
 6    Section 2705-321 as follows:

 7        (20 ILCS 2705/2705-321 new)
 8        Sec.  2705-321.  Illinois  Transit Ridership and Economic
 9    Development (TRED) Pilot Project Program; new facilities  and
10    service.
11        (a)  The Department of Transportation shall establish the
12    Illinois  Transit  Ridership  and Economic Development (TRED)
13    Pilot Project Program to  build  transit  systems  that  more
14    effectively  address the needs of Illinois workers, families,
15    and businesses. The Illinois TRED Pilot Project Program shall
16    provide for new or expanded mass transportation  service  and
17    facilities,  including  rapid  transit,  rail, bus, and other
18    equipment used in connection with mass transit, by the State,
19    a public entity, or 2 or more of these entities authorized to
20    provide  and  promote  public  transportation  in  order   to
21    increase the level of service available in local communities,
22    as well as improve the quality of life and economic viability
23    of the State of Illinois.
24        The  Illinois TRED Pilot Project Program expenditures for
25    mass transportation service and facilities within  the  State
26    must:
27             (1)  Improve  the  economic viability of Illinois by
28        facilitating the transportation of Illinois residents  to
29        places  of  employment, to educational facilities, and to
30        commercial, medical, and shopping districts.
31             (2)  Increase  the  frequency  and  reliability   of
 
                            -2-      LRB093 06483 JAM 06608 b
 1        public transit service.
 2             (3)  Facilitate   the   movement   of  all  persons,
 3        including those persons who,  because  of  age,  economic
 4        circumstance, or physical infirmity, are unable to drive.
 5             (4)  Contribute  to  an improved environment through
 6        the reduction of air, water, and noise pollution.
 7        (b)  Under the Illinois TRED Pilot Project  Program,  the
 8    Department  shall  fund  in fiscal year 2004, in coordination
 9    and consultation with other government agencies that  provide
10    or   fund   transportation   services,  the  Illinois  Public
11    Transportation Association, and transit advocates,  up  to  8
12    pilot  or  demonstration  projects involving expanding public
13    transit service or services in Illinois. At least 5 of  those
14    projects  shall involve counties or transit districts outside
15    the Chicago urbanized area. Total funding for these  projects
16    shall  not  exceed  $5,000,000.  The  Department shall submit
17    annual reports to the General Assembly by  March  1  of  each
18    fiscal year regarding the status of these projects, including
19    service  to constituents including local businesses, seniors,
20    and people with disabilities, costs,  and  other  appropriate
21    measures of impact.

22        Section  99.  Effective date.  This Act takes effect upon
23    becoming law.