HB1548 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB097 08601 RLJ 48728 b

97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2011 and 2012
HB1548

Introduced 2/15/2011, by Rep. Jack D. Franks

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

70 ILCS 3605/1.5 new
70 ILCS 3615/1.01a new
70 ILCS 3615/1.01b new

Amends the Metropolitan Transit Authority Act and the Regional Transportation Authority Act. Provides that, by no later than July 1, 2012, the Regional Transportation Authority, Commuter Rail Division, Suburban Bus Division, and Chicago Transit Authority shall be consolidated into the Northeastern Transit Authority. Provides that the powers, duties, and obligations of the Regional Transportation Authority, Commuter Rail Division, Suburban Bus Division, and Chicago Transit Authority shall be exercised by the Northeastern Transit Authority. Creates the Northeastern Transit Authority. Sets forth the appointment and terms of the board members for the Northeastern Transit Authority. Provides that board members shall serve without compensation, but may be reimbursed for expenses incurred in the performance of their official duties. Effective immediately.

FISCAL NOTE ACT MAY APPLY

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 Metropolitan Transit Authority Act is amended by adding Section 1.5 as follows:

(70 ILCS 3605/1.5 new)

Sec. 1.5. Consolidation of the Regional Transportation Authority and the Service Boards. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, by no later than July 1, 2012, the Regional Transportation Authority, Commuter Rail Division, Suburban Bus Division, and Chicago Transit Authority shall be consolidated into the Northeastern Transit Authority created under Section 1.01b of the Regional Transportation Authority Act. The powers, duties, and obligations of the Regional Transportation Authority, Commuter Rail Division, Suburban Bus Division, and Chicago Transit Authority shall be vested in and exercised by the Northeastern Transit Authority. The terms of the members of the Chicago Transit Board serving on the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 97th General Assembly end June 30, 2012 or when the Board of the Northeastern Transit Authority is fully constituted, whichever is earlier.

Section 10. The Regional Transportation Authority Act is amended by adding Sections 1.01a and 1.01b as follows:

(70 ILCS 3615/1.01a new)

Sec. 1.01a. Consolidation of the Regional Transportation Authority and the Service Boards. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, beginning July 1, 2012, the Regional Transportation Authority, Commuter Rail Division, Suburban Bus Division, and Chicago Transit Authority shall be consolidated into the Northeastern Transit Authority created under Section 1.01b. The powers, duties, and obligations of the Regional Transportation Authority, Commuter Rail Division, Suburban Bus Division, and Chicago Transit Authority shall be vested in and exercised by the Northeastern Transit Authority. The terms of the directors of the Regional Transportation Authority Board, Commuter Rail Board, and Suburban Bus Board serving on the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 97th General Assembly end June 30, 2012 or when the Board of the Northeastern Transit Authority is fully constituted, whichever is earlier.

(70 ILCS 3615/1.01b new)

Sec. 1.01b. Northeastern Transit Authority; board members.

(a) The Northeastern Transit Authority is created to exercise the powers, duties, and obligations of the Regional Transportation Authority and each of the Service Boards.

(b) The governing body of the Northeastern Transit Authority shall be a board consisting of 16 members. The board members shall be appointed as follows:

(1) 5 members appointed by the Mayor of the City of Chicago with the advice and consent of the City Council of the City of Chicago. Each appointee must reside within the City of Chicago.

(2) 5 members appointed by the President of the Cook County Board with the advice and consent of the members of the Cook County Board. Each appointee must reside within that part of Cook County outside of the corporate boundaries of the City of Chicago.

(3) 5 members appointed by the Chairpersons of the County Boards of DuPage, Kane, Lake, and McHenry Counties and the County Executive of Will County, as follows:

(A) One member appointed by the Chairperson of the Kane County Board with the advice and consent of the Kane County Board. The member must reside within Kane County.

(B) One member appointed by the County Executive of Will County with the advice and consent of the Will County Board. The member must reside within Will County.

(C) One member appointed by the Chairperson of the DuPage County Board with the advice and consent of the DuPage County Board. The member must reside within DuPage County.

(D) One member appointed by the Chairperson of the Lake County Board with the advice and consent of the Lake County Board. The member must reside within Lake County.

(E) One member appointed by the Chairperson of the McHenry County Board with the advice and consent of the McHenry County Board. The member must reside within McHenry County.

(c) The chairperson of the Board shall be appointed by the other members, by the affirmative vote of at least 11 of the members with at least 2 affirmative votes from members who reside within the City of Chicago, at least 2 affirmative votes from members who reside within Cook County outside the City of Chicago, and at least 2 affirmative votes from members who reside within the Counties of DuPage, Lake, Will, Kane, or McHenry. The chairperson shall not be appointed from among the other members. The chairperson must reside within the metropolitan region.

(d) Of the initial members, 5 members shall serve for a 2-year term, 5 members shall serve for a 3-year term, and 5 members and the chairperson shall serve for a 5-year term, as determined by lot. Thereafter, all members shall serve for a 5-year term.

(e) A vacancy shall occur upon the resignation, death, conviction of a felony, or removal from office of a member. Any member may be removed from office upon concurrence of not less than 11 members, on a formal finding of incompetence, neglect of duty, or malfeasance in office. Within 30 days after the office of any member becomes vacant for any reason, the appointing authorities of that member shall make an appointment to fill the vacancy. A vacancy shall be filled for the unexpired term.

(f) Board members shall serve without compensation, but may be reimbursed for expenses incurred in the performance of their official duties. Board members may not receive pension benefits or any other benefits for their service as a member of the Board.

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