101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2019 and 2020
HB1591

 

Introduced , by Rep. Marcus C. Evans, Jr.

 

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
 
30 ILCS 740/2-15.2
70 ILCS 3605/51
70 ILCS 3610/8.6
70 ILCS 3615/3A.15
70 ILCS 3615/3B.14

    Amends the Downstate Public Transportation Act, the Metropolitan Transit Authority Act, the Local Mass Transit District Act, and the Regional Transportation Authority Act. Provides for free fares for veterans with disabilities, reduced fares for other veterans, and free fares for specified high school students on days when school is in session on public transportation. Provides for a continuing appropriation beginning in Fiscal Year 2020 to cover the free and reduced fares. Effective immediately.


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FISCAL NOTE ACT MAY APPLY

 

 

A BILL FOR

 

HB1591LRB101 04869 AWJ 49878 b

1    AN ACT concerning local government.
 
2    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
3represented in the General Assembly:
 
4    Section 5. The Downstate Public Transportation Act is
5amended by changing Section 2-15.2 as follows:
 
6    (30 ILCS 740/2-15.2)
7    Sec. 2-15.2. Free and reduced services; eligibility.
8    (a) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, no later than
960 days following the effective date of this amendatory Act of
10the 95th General Assembly and until subsection (b) is
11implemented, any fixed route public transportation services
12provided by, or under grant or purchase of service contracts
13of, every participant, as defined in Section 2-2.02 (1)(a),
14shall be provided without charge to all senior citizen
15residents of the participant aged 65 and older, under such
16conditions as shall be prescribed by the participant.
17    (b) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, no later than
18180 days following the effective date of this amendatory Act of
19the 96th General Assembly, any fixed route public
20transportation services provided by, or under grant or purchase
21of service contracts of, every participant, as defined in
22Section 2-2.02 (1)(a), shall be provided without charge to
23senior citizens aged 65 and older who meet the income

 

 

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1eligibility limitation set forth in subsection (a-5) of Section
24 of the Senior Citizens and Persons with Disabilities Property
3Tax Relief Act, under such conditions as shall be prescribed by
4the participant. The Department on Aging shall furnish all
5information reasonably necessary to determine eligibility,
6including updated lists of individuals who are eligible for
7services without charge under this Section. Nothing in this
8Section shall relieve the participant from providing reduced
9fares as may be required by federal law.
10    (c) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, no later than
11180 days following the effective date of this amendatory Act of
12the 101st General Assembly, any fixed route public
13transportation services provided by, or under grant or purchase
14of service contracts of, a participant shall be provided (i)
15without charge to a veteran that has a combined disability
16rating of more than 70% as certified by the U.S. Department of
17Veterans Affairs, and (ii) at a 50% reduced fare for a veteran
18who has a combined disability rating of 30% to 70% as certified
19by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, under conditions
20prescribed by each participant.
21    (d) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, on and after
22January 1, 2020, any fixed route public transportation services
23provided by, or under grant or purchase of service contracts
24of, a participant shall be provided without charge to high
25school students that are eligible for free or reduced price
26meals and free milk under the federal National School Lunch

 

 

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1Program or the Commodity School Program on days when school is
2in session.
3    (e) On the first December 31st after the effective date of
4this amendatory Act of the 101st General Assembly and on
5December 31st of each year thereafter, each participant shall
6certify to the State Comptroller the annual amount necessary
7for payment of expenses related to subsections (c) and (d).
8Beginning in Fiscal Year 2020, there is hereby appropriated, on
9an irrevocable and continuing annual basis, from the Road Fund
10amounts equal to the amount certified each year by each
11participant for payment of expenses related to subsections (c)
12and (d). The moneys appropriated under this subsection (e)
13shall be paid to each participant in an amount equal to the
14participant's certification for payment of expenses related to
15subsections (c) and (d).
16(Source: P.A. 99-143, eff. 7-27-15.)
 
17    Section 10. The Metropolitan Transit Authority Act is
18amended by changing Section 51 as follows:
 
19    (70 ILCS 3605/51)
20    Sec. 51. Free and reduced services; eligibility.
21    (a) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, no later than
2260 days following the effective date of this amendatory Act of
23the 95th General Assembly and until subsection (b) is
24implemented, any fixed route public transportation services

 

 

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1provided by, or under grant or purchase of service contracts
2of, the Board shall be provided without charge to all senior
3citizens of the Metropolitan Region (as such term is defined in
470 ILCS 3615/1.03) aged 65 and older, under such conditions as
5shall be prescribed by the Board.
6    (b) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, no later than
7180 days following the effective date of this amendatory Act of
8the 96th General Assembly, any fixed route public
9transportation services provided by, or under grant or purchase
10of service contracts of, the Board shall be provided without
11charge to senior citizens aged 65 and older who meet the income
12eligibility limitation set forth in subsection (a-5) of Section
134 of the Senior Citizens and Persons with Disabilities Property
14Tax Relief Act, under such conditions as shall be prescribed by
15the Board. The Department on Aging shall furnish all
16information reasonably necessary to determine eligibility,
17including updated lists of individuals who are eligible for
18services without charge under this Section. Nothing in this
19Section shall relieve the Board from providing reduced fares as
20may be required by federal law.
21    (c) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, no later than
22180 days following the effective date of this amendatory Act of
23the 101st General Assembly, any fixed route public
24transportation services provided by, or under grant or purchase
25of service contracts of, the Board shall be provided (i)
26without charge to a veteran that has a combined disability

 

 

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1rating of more than 70% as certified by the U.S. Department of
2Veterans Affairs, and (ii) at a 50% reduced fare for a veteran
3who has a combined disability rating of 30% to 70% as certified
4by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, under conditions
5prescribed by the Board.
6    (d) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, on and after
7January 1, 2020, any fixed route public transportation services
8provided by, or under grant or purchase of service contracts
9of, the Board shall be provided without charge to high school
10students that are eligible for free or reduced price meals and
11free milk under the federal National School Lunch Program or
12the Commodity School Program on days when school is in session.
13    (e) On the first December 31st after the effective date of
14this amendatory Act of the 101st General Assembly and on
15December 31st of each year thereafter, the Board shall certify
16to the State Comptroller the annual amount necessary for
17payment of expenses related to subsections (c) and (d).
18Beginning in Fiscal Year 2020, there is hereby appropriated, on
19an irrevocable and continuing annual basis, from the Road Fund
20an amount equal to the amount certified each year by the Board
21for payment of expenses related to subsections (c) and (d). The
22moneys appropriated under this subsection (e) shall be paid to
23the Board in an amount equal to the Board's certification for
24payment of expenses related to subsections (c) and (d).
25(Source: P.A. 99-143, eff. 7-27-15.)
 

 

 

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1    Section 15. The Local Mass Transit District Act is amended
2by changing Section 8.6 as follows:
 
3    (70 ILCS 3610/8.6)
4    Sec. 8.6. Free and reduced services; eligibility.
5    (a) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, no later than
660 days following the effective date of this amendatory Act of
7the 95th General Assembly and until subsection (b) is
8implemented, any fixed route public transportation services
9provided by, or under grant or purchase of service contracts
10of, every District shall be provided without charge to all
11senior citizens of the District aged 65 and older, under such
12conditions as shall be prescribed by the District.
13    (b) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, no later than
14180 days following the effective date of this amendatory Act of
15the 96th General Assembly, any fixed route public
16transportation services provided by, or under grant or purchase
17of service contracts of, every District shall be provided
18without charge to senior citizens aged 65 and older who meet
19the income eligibility limitation set forth in subsection (a-5)
20of Section 4 of the Senior Citizens and Persons with
21Disabilities Property Tax Relief Act, under such conditions as
22shall be prescribed by the District. The Department on Aging
23shall furnish all information reasonably necessary to
24determine eligibility, including updated lists of individuals
25who are eligible for services without charge under this

 

 

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1Section. Nothing in this Section shall relieve the District
2from providing reduced fares as may be required by federal law.
3    (c) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, no later than
4180 days following the effective date of this amendatory Act of
5the 101st General Assembly, any fixed route public
6transportation services provided by, or under grant or purchase
7of service contracts of, every District shall be provided (i)
8without charge to a veteran that has a combined disability
9rating of more than 70% as certified by the U.S. Department of
10Veterans Affairs, and (ii) at a 50% reduced fare for a veteran
11who has a combined disability rating of 30% to 70% as certified
12by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, under conditions
13prescribed by each District.
14    (d) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, on and after
15January 1, 2020, any fixed route public transportation services
16provided by, or under grant or purchase of device contracts of,
17each District shall be provided without charge to high school
18students that are eligible for free or reduced price meals and
19free milk under the federal National School Lunch Program or
20the Commodity School Program on days when school is in session.
21    (e) On the first December 31st after the effective date of
22this amendatory Act of the 101st General Assembly and on
23December 31st of each year thereafter, each District shall
24certify to the State Comptroller the annual amount necessary
25for payment of expenses related to subsections (c) and (d).
26Beginning in Fiscal Year 2020, there is hereby appropriated, on

 

 

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1an irrevocable and continuing annual basis, from the Road Fund
2amounts equal to the amount certified each year by each
3District for payment of expenses related to subsections (c) and
4(d). The moneys appropriated under this subsection (e) shall be
5paid to each District in an amount equal to the District's
6certification for payment of expenses related to subsections
7(c) and (d).
8(Source: P.A. 99-143, eff. 7-27-15.)
 
9    Section 20. The Regional Transportation Authority Act is
10amended by changing Sections 3A.15 and 3B.14 as follows:
 
11    (70 ILCS 3615/3A.15)
12    Sec. 3A.15. Free and reduced services; eligibility.
13    (a) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, no later than
1460 days following the effective date of this amendatory Act of
15the 95th General Assembly and until subsection (b) is
16implemented, any fixed route public transportation services
17provided by, or under grant or purchase of service contracts
18of, the Suburban Bus Board shall be provided without charge to
19all senior citizens of the Metropolitan Region aged 65 and
20older, under such conditions as shall be prescribed by the
21Suburban Bus Board.
22    (b) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, no later than
23180 days following the effective date of this amendatory Act of
24the 96th General Assembly, any fixed route public

 

 

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1transportation services provided by, or under grant or purchase
2of service contracts of, the Suburban Bus Board shall be
3provided without charge to senior citizens aged 65 and older
4who meet the income eligibility limitation set forth in
5subsection (a-5) of Section 4 of the Senior Citizens and
6Persons with Disabilities Property Tax Relief Act, under such
7conditions as shall be prescribed by the Suburban Bus Board.
8The Department on Aging shall furnish all information
9reasonably necessary to determine eligibility, including
10updated lists of individuals who are eligible for services
11without charge under this Section. Nothing in this Section
12shall relieve the Suburban Bus Board from providing reduced
13fares as may be required by federal law.
14    (c) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, no later than
15180 days following the effective date of this amendatory Act of
16the 101st General Assembly, any fixed route public
17transportation services provided by, or under grant or purchase
18of service contracts of, the Suburban Bus Board shall be
19provided (i) without charge to a veteran that has a combined
20disability rating of more than 70% as certified by the U.S.
21Department of Veterans Affairs, and (ii) at a 50% reduced fare
22for a veteran who has a combined disability rating of 30% to
2370% as certified by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs,
24under conditions prescribed by the Suburban Bus Board.
25    (d) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, on and after
26January 1, 2020, any fixed route public transportation services

 

 

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1provided by, or under grant or purchase of service contracts
2of, the Suburban Bus Board shall be provided without charge to
3high school students that are eligible for free or reduced
4price meals and free milk under the federal National School
5Lunch Program or the Commodity School Program on days when
6school is in session.
7    (e) On the first December 31st after the effective date of
8this amendatory Act of the 101st General Assembly and on
9December 31st of each year thereafter, the Suburban Bus Board
10shall certify to the State Comptroller the annual amount
11necessary for payment of expenses related to subsections (c)
12and (d). Beginning in Fiscal Year 2020, there is hereby
13appropriated, on an irrevocable and continuing annual basis,
14from the Road Fund an amount equal to the amount certified each
15year by the Suburban Bus Board for payment of expenses related
16to subsections (c) and (d). The moneys appropriated under this
17subsection (e) shall be paid to the Suburban Bus Board in an
18amount equal to the Suburban Bus Board's certification for
19payment of expenses related to subsections (c) and (d).
20(Source: P.A. 99-143, eff. 7-27-15.)
 
21    (70 ILCS 3615/3B.14)
22    Sec. 3B.14. Free and reduced services; eligibility.
23    (a) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, no later than
2460 days following the effective date of this amendatory Act of
25the 95th General Assembly and until subsection (b) is

 

 

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1implemented, any fixed route public transportation services
2provided by, or under grant or purchase of service contracts
3of, the Commuter Rail Board shall be provided without charge to
4all senior citizens of the Metropolitan Region aged 65 and
5older, under such conditions as shall be prescribed by the
6Commuter Rail Board.
7    (b) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, no later than
8180 days following the effective date of this amendatory Act of
9the 96th General Assembly, any fixed route public
10transportation services provided by, or under grant or purchase
11of service contracts of, the Commuter Rail Board shall be
12provided without charge to senior citizens aged 65 and older
13who meet the income eligibility limitation set forth in
14subsection (a-5) of Section 4 of the Senior Citizens and
15Persons with Disabilities Property Tax Relief Act, under such
16conditions as shall be prescribed by the Commuter Rail Board.
17The Department on Aging shall furnish all information
18reasonably necessary to determine eligibility, including
19updated lists of individuals who are eligible for services
20without charge under this Section. Nothing in this Section
21shall relieve the Commuter Rail Board from providing reduced
22fares as may be required by federal law.
23    (c) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, no later than
24180 days following the effective date of this amendatory Act of
25the 101st General Assembly, any fixed route public
26transportation services provided by, or under grant or purchase

 

 

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1of service contracts of, the Commuter Rail Board shall be
2provided (i) without charge to a veteran that has a combined
3disability rating of more than 70% as certified by the U.S.
4Department of Veterans Affairs, and (ii) at a 50% reduced fare
5for a veteran who has a combined disability rating of 30% to
670% as certified by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs,
7under conditions prescribed by the Commuter Rail Board.
8    (d) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, on and after
9January 1, 2020, any fixed route public transportation services
10provided by, or under grant or purchase of service contracts
11of, the Commuter Rail Board shall be provided without charge to
12high school students that are eligible for free or reduced
13price meals and free milk under the federal National School
14Lunch Program or the Commodity School Program on days when
15school is in session.
16    (e) On the first December 31st after the effective date of
17this amendatory Act of the 101st General Assembly and on
18December 31st of each year thereafter, the Commuter Rail Board
19shall certify to the State Comptroller the annual amount
20necessary for payment of expenses related to subsections (c)
21and (d). Beginning in Fiscal Year 2020, there is hereby
22appropriated, on an irrevocable and continuing annual basis,
23from the Road Fund an amount equal to the amount certified each
24year by the Commuter Rail Board for payment of expenses related
25to subsections (c) and (d). The moneys appropriated under this
26subsection (e) shall be paid to the Commuter Rail Board in an

 

 

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1amount equal to the Commuter Rail Board's certification for
2payment of expenses related to subsections (c) and (d).
3(Source: P.A. 99-143, eff. 7-27-15.)
 
4    Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon
5becoming law.