HB5823 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB103 40434 AWJ 72767 b

103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2023 and 2024
HB5823

Introduced 4/30/2024, by Rep. Kam Buckner

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

See Index

Creates the Metropolitan Mobility Authority Act, and establishes the Metropolitan Mobility Authority. Provides that the Chicago Transit Authority, the Commuter Rail Division and the Suburban Bus Division of the Regional Transportation Authority, and the Regional Transportation Authority are consolidated into the Metropolitan Mobility Authority and the Service Boards are abolished, instead creating the Suburban Bus Operating Division, Commuter Rail Operating Division, and the Chicago Transit Operating Division. Reinserts, reorganizes, and changes some provisions from the Metropolitan Transit Authority Act and the Regional Transportation Authority Act into the new Act. Includes provisions about the operation of the Metropolitan Mobility Authority. Repeals the Metropolitan Transit Authority Act and the Regional Transportation Authority Act. Amends various Acts, Laws, and Codes to make conforming changes. Creates the Equitable Transit-Supportive Development Act. Establishes the Office of Transit-Oriented Development and the Transit-Supportive Development Fund. Provides that the Office and the Fund are to aid transit-supportive development near high-quality transit by providing specified funding to municipalities that have adopted the standards in the transit support overlay district for that area or that have adopted zoning and other changes that the Office determines have benefits greater than or equal to such a District, including transit support overlay districts. Includes provisions relating to Office standards, procedures, and reports. Amends the State Finance Act to make a conforming change. Amends the Department of Transportation Law of the Civil Administrative Code. Requires the Department to establish, staff, and support an Office of Public Transportation Support for the purpose of optimizing the operation of public transportation vehicles and the delivery of public transportation services on highways under the Department's jurisdiction in the Metropolitan Mobility Authority's metropolitan region. Describes the duties and operations of the Office. Amends the Toll Highway Act. Provides that the Chair of the Metropolitan Mobility Authority is a nonvoting member of the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning local government.

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

Article I. METROPOLITAN MOBILITY AUTHORITY

Section 1.01. Short title. Articles I through VI of this Act may be cited as the Metropolitan Mobility Authority Act.

References to "this Act" in Articles I through VI of this Act mean Articles I through VI of this Act.

Section 1.02. Legislative findings and purpose.

(a) The General Assembly finds:

(1) Section 7 of Article XIII of the Illinois Constitution provides that public transportation is an essential public purpose for which public funds may be expended, and it also authorizes the State to provide financial assistance to units of local government for distribution to providers of public transportation.

(2) There is an urgent need to reform and continue a unit of local government to ensure the proper management and operation of public transportation, to receive and distribute State or federal operating assistance, and to raise and distribute revenues for local operating assistance. System generated revenues are not adequate for such service and a public need exists to provide for, aid, and assist public transportation in the metropolitan region, consisting of Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, and Will counties.

(3) Comprehensive and coordinated regional public transportation is essential to public health, safety, and welfare. It is essential to ensuring economic well-being, addressing the climate crisis, providing affordable transportation options for residents at all income levels, conserving sources of energy and land for open space, reducing traffic congestion, and providing for and maintaining a healthful environment for the benefit of present and future generations in the metropolitan region. Public transportation decreases air pollution and other environmental hazards as well as the tragic loss of life from crashes and allows for more efficient land use and planning.

(4) Public transportation advances equity and equal opportunity by improving the mobility of the public and providing more people with greater access to jobs, commercial businesses, schools, medical facilities, and cultural attractions.

(5) Public transportation in the metropolitan region is being threatened by grave financial conditions. With existing methods of financing, coordination, structure, and management, the public transportation system is not providing adequate service to ensure the public health, safety, and welfare.

(6) The COVID-19 pandemic caused unprecedented disruption in public transportation ridership and operations from which the service providers have yet to fully recover and the pandemic-related federal funding support for public transportation operations has expired. Although ridership levels continue to improve from the lowest levels observed during the pandemic, net ridership levels have not recovered to pre-pandemic levels. Furthermore, the system experienced persistent losses in ridership, service quality, and financial stability for many years before the pandemic. These systemic issues, combined with the changes in passenger behaviors, experiences, and commuting patterns experienced since the pandemic, create conditions untenable to a sustainable and thriving public transportation system.

(7) Additional commitments to the public transportation needs of persons with disabilities, the economically disadvantaged, and the elderly are necessary.

(8) To solve these problems, it is necessary to provide for the creation of a regional transportation authority with the powers necessary to ensure adequate public transportation and a board of directors that has the diverse experience, expertise, and background to effectively oversee the public transportation system.

(9) A substantial or total loss of public transportation services or any segment of public transportation services would create an emergency threatening the safety and well-being of the people in the metropolitan region.

(10) To meet the urgent needs of the people of the metropolitan region, avoid a transportation emergency, and provide financially sound methods of managing the provision of public transportation services in the metropolitan region, it is necessary to create one truly integrated regional transit system instead of 3 separate transit systems by combining the existing Service Boards and Regional Transportation Authority into one agency.

(11) The economic vitality of Illinois requires regionwide and systemwide efforts to increase ridership on the transit systems, improve roadway operations within the metropolitan region, and allocate resources for transportation so as to assist in the development of an adequate, efficient, equitable, and coordinated regional public transportation system that is in a state of good repair.

(b) It is the purpose of this Act to provide for, aid, and assist public transportation in the metropolitan region without impairing the overall quality of existing public transportation by providing for the creation of a single authority responsive to the people and elected officials of the area and with the power and competence to operate the regional transportation system, develop, implement, and enforce plans that promote adequate, efficient, equitable, and coordinated public transportation, provide responsible financial stewardship of the public transportation system in the metropolitan region, and facilitate the delivery of public transportation that is attractive and safe to passengers and employees, comprehensive and coordinated among its various elements, economic and efficient, and coordinated among local, regional, and State programs, plans, and projects.

Section 1.03. Definitions. As used in this Act:

"Authority" means the Metropolitan Mobility Authority, the successor to the Regional Transportation Authority and the Chicago Transit Authority.

"Board" means the Board of Directors of the Metropolitan Mobility Authority.

"Consolidated entities" means the Chicago Transit Authority, the Commuter Rail Division and the Suburban Bus Division of the Regional Transportation Authority, the Regional Transportation Authority, and all of their subsidiaries and affiliates.

"Construct or acquire" means to plan, design, construct, reconstruct, improve, modify, extend, landscape, expand, or acquire.

"Fare capping" means the action of no longer charging a rider for any additional fares for the duration of a daily, weekly, monthly, or 30-day pass once the rider has purchased enough regular one-way fares to reach the cost of the applicable pass.

"Metropolitan region" means all territory included within the territory of the Authority as provided in this Act, and such territory as may be annexed to the Authority.

"Municipality", "county", and "unit of local government" have the meanings given to those terms in Section 1 of Article VII of the Illinois Constitution.

"Operate" means operate, maintain, administer, repair, promote, and any other acts necessary or proper with regard to such matters.

"Operating Division" means the Suburban Bus, Commuter Rail, and Chicago Transit Operating Divisions and any public transportation operating division formed by the Authority after the effective date of this Act.

"Public transportation" means the transportation or conveyance of persons within the metropolitan region by means available to the general public, including groups of the general public with special needs. "Public transportation" does not include transportation by automobiles not used for conveyance of the general public as passengers.

"Public transportation facility" means the equipment or property, real or personal, or rights therein, useful or necessary for providing, maintaining or administering public transportation within the metropolitan region or otherwise useful for carrying out or meeting the purposes or powers of the Authority. Except as otherwise provided by this Act, "public transportation facility" does not include a road, street, highway, bridge, toll highway, or toll bridge for general public use.

"Regional rail" means a commuter rail service pattern that emphasizes more frequent off-peak service, simplified schedules, and non-downtown trips. "Regional rail" may include other elements, such as running trains through downtown stations.

"Service Boards" means the boards of the Commuter Rail Division, the Suburban Bus Division, and the Chicago Transit Authority of the former Regional Transportation Authority.

"Service Standards" means quantitative and qualitative attributes of public transit service as well as its appropriate level of service to be provided across the metropolitan region.

"Transportation agency" means any individual, firm, partnership, corporation, association, body politic, municipal corporation, public authority, unit of local government, or other person, other than the Authority and the Operating Divisions, that provides public transportation in the metropolitan region.

Article II. CREATION AND ORGANIZATION

Section 2.01. Establishment of the Authority. The Metropolitan Mobility Authority is established upon the effective date of this Act. The Authority is a unit of local government, body politic, political subdivision, and municipal corporation.

Section 2.02. Territory and annexation.

(a) The initial territory of the Authority is Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, and Will counties. Any other county or portion thereof in Illinois contiguous to the metropolitan region may be annexed to the Authority on such conditions as the Authority shall by ordinance prescribe, by ordinance adopted by the county board of such county, and by approval by the Authority. Upon such annexation, a certificate of such action shall be filed by the Secretary of the Authority with the county clerk of the county so annexing to the Authority and with the Secretary of State and the Department of Revenue.

(b) No area may be annexed to the Authority except upon the approval of a majority of the electors of such area voting on the proposition so to annex, which proposition may be presented at any regular election as provided by the county board or boards of the county or counties in which the area in question is located. Such county board or boards shall cause certification of such proposition to be given in accordance with the general election law to the proper election officers, who shall submit the proposition at an election in accordance with the general election law.

Section 2.03. Extraterritorial authority. To provide or assist any transportation of members of the general public between points in the metropolitan region and points outside the metropolitan region, whether in this State, Wisconsin, or Indiana, the Authority may enter into agreements with any unit of local government, individual, corporation, or other person or public agency in or of any such state or any private entity for such service. Such agreements may provide for participation by the Authority in providing such service and for grants by the Authority in connection with any such service, and may, subject to federal and State law, set forth any terms relating to such service, including coordinating such service with public transportation in the metropolitan region. Such agreement may be for such number of years or duration as the parties may agree. In regard to any such agreements or grants, the Authority shall consider the benefit to the metropolitan region and the financial contribution with regard to such service made or to be made from public funds in such areas served outside the metropolitan region.

Section 2.04. Board of Directors.

(a) The corporate authorities and governing body of the Authority shall be a Board consisting of voting Directors and nonvoting Directors appointed as follows:

(1) 3 Directors appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate;

(2) 5 Directors appointed by the Mayor of the City of Chicago with the advice and consent of the City Council of the City of Chicago, one of whom shall be the Commissioner of the Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities;

(3) 5 Directors appointed by the President of the Cook County Board of Commissioners with the advice and consent of the members of the Cook County Board of Commissioners;

(4) one Director appointed by each of the chairs of the county boards of DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, and Will counties with the advice and consent of their respective county boards; and

(5) the following nonvoting Directors:

(A) the Secretary of Transportation or the Secretary's designee;

(B) the Chair of the Board of Directors of the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority or the Chair's designee;

(C) a representative of organized labor, appointed by the Governor;

(D) a representative from the business community in the metropolitan region, appointed by the voting members of the Board;

(E) a representative from the disability community, appointed by the voting members of the Board after consulting with at least 3 organizations in the disability community in the metropolitan region selected by the Board; and

(F) the Chair of the Citizens Advisory Board established by Section 2.12.

(b) All Directors shall be residents of the metropolitan region except for those Directors appointed pursuant to paragraph (1) of subsection (a) and subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (5) of subsection (a), who shall be residents of the State of Illinois.

(c) Nonvoting Directors shall have the same rights to access Board-related materials and to participate in Board meetings as Directors with voting rights.

(d) Nonvoting Directors shall be subject to the same conflict of interest restrictions applicable to other Directors, are subject to all ethics requirements applicable to the other Directors, and must comply with the public transportation system usage and meeting attendance requirements of Sections 5.02 and 5.03.

Section 2.05. Director qualifications.

(a) Except as otherwise provided by this Act, a Director may not, while serving as a Director, be an officer, a member of the board of directors, a trustee, or an employee of a transportation agency or be an employee of the State of Illinois or any department or agency of the State.

(b) Each appointment made under this Section shall be certified by the appointing authority to the Board, which shall maintain the certifications as part of the official records of the Authority.

(c) Directors shall have diverse and substantial relevant experience and expertise for overseeing the planning, operation, and funding of a regional public transportation system, including, but not limited to, backgrounds in urban and regional planning, management of large capital projects, labor relations, business management, public administration, transportation, and community organizations.

Section 2.06. Director decision-making. Directors must make decisions on behalf of the Authority based on the Director's assessment of how best to build an integrated, equitable, and efficient regional public transit system for the metropolitan region as a whole.

Section 2.07. Board Chair and other officers.

(a) The Chair of the Board shall be appointed by the other Directors for a term of 5 years. The Chair shall not be appointed from among the other Directors. The Chair shall be a resident of the metropolitan region. The Chair may be replaced at any time by the Directors.

(b) The Chair shall preside at Board meetings and shall be entitled to vote on all matters.

(c) The Board shall select a Secretary and a Treasurer and may select persons to fill such other offices of the Board and to perform such duties as it shall from time to time determine. The Secretary, Treasurer, and other officers of the Board may be, but need not be, members of the Board.

(d) The Chair of the Board shall serve as the Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Authority until the appointment of the initial Chief Executive Officer. While the Chair is serving as the Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Authority, the Chair shall be entitled to annual compensation at least equal to the compensation paid to the most highly compensated Chief Executive Officer of a Service Board as of the effective date of this Act, subject to appropriate adjustments made by the Board. When the Chair is no longer serving as the Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Authority, the Chair shall be compensated at the same rate as the other Directors of the Board.

Section 2.08. Terms and vacancies.

(a) Each Director shall hold office for a term of 5 years and until the Director's successor has been appointed and has qualified. A vacancy shall occur upon resignation, death, conviction of a felony, or removal from office of a Director. A Director may be removed from office (i) upon concurrence of a majority of the Directors, on a formal finding of incompetence, neglect of duty, or malfeasance in office or (ii) by the Governor in response to a summary report received from the Governor's Executive Inspector General in accordance with Section 20-50 of the State Officials and Employees Ethics Act if the Director has had an opportunity to be publicly heard in person or by counsel prior to removal. As soon as feasible after the office of a Director becomes vacant for any reason, the appointing authority of the Director shall make an appointment to fill the vacancy pursuant to Section 2.04. A vacancy shall be filled for the unexpired term.

(b) The terms of the initial set of Directors selected to the Board pursuant to this Act shall be as follows:

(1) Directors appointed by the Mayor of the City of Chicago and the Governor shall serve an initial term of 3 years and their successors shall serve five-year terms until the Director's successor has been appointed and qualified.

(2) Directors appointed by the President of the Cook County Board of Commissioners and the board chairs of Will, Kane, DuPage, McHenry, and Lake counties shall serve an initial term of 5 years and their successors shall serve 5-year terms until the Director's successor has been appointed and qualified.

Section 2.09. Compensation. Each Director, including the Chair of the Authority, shall be compensated at the rate of $25,000 per year, but nonvoting Directors employed by a public agency are not entitled to such compensation. Each Director shall be reimbursed for actual expenses incurred in the performance of the Director's duties. Officers of the Authority shall not be required to comply with the requirements of the Public Funds Statement Publication Act.

Section 2.10. Meetings.

(a) The Board shall prescribe the times and places for meetings and the manner in which special meetings may be called. Board meetings shall be held in a place easily accessible by public transit. The Board shall comply in all respects with the Open Meetings Act. All records, documents, and papers of the Authority, other than those relating to matters concerning which closed sessions of the Board, may be held and any redactions as permitted or required by applicable law, shall be available for public examination, subject to such reasonable regulations as the Board may adopt.

(b) A majority of the whole number of members of the Authority then in office shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of any business or the exercise of any power of the Authority. Unless otherwise stated by this Act, actions of the Authority shall require the affirmative vote of a majority of the voting members of the Authority present and voting at the meeting at which the action is taken.

(c) Open meetings of the Board shall be broadcast to the public and maintained in real time on the Board's website using a high-speed Internet connection. Recordings of each meeting broadcast shall be posted to the Board's website within a reasonable time after the meeting and shall be maintained as public records to the extent practicable, as determined by the Board. Compliance with these provisions does not relieve the Board of its obligations under the Open Meetings Act.

Section 2.11. Director liability.

(a) A Director of the Authority is not liable for any injury resulting from any act or omission in determining policy or exercising discretion, except: (1) for willful or wanton misconduct; or (2) as otherwise provided by law.

(b) If any claim or action is instituted against a Director of the Authority based on an injury allegedly arising out of an act or omission of the Director occurring within the scope of the Director's performance of duties on behalf of the Authority, the Authority shall indemnify the Director for all legal expenses and court costs incurred in defending against the claim or action and shall indemnify the Director for any amount paid pursuant to any judgment on, or any good faith settlement of, such claim, except for that portion of a judgment awarded for willful or wanton misconduct.

(c) The Authority may purchase insurance to cover the costs of any legal expenses, judgments, or settlements under this Section.

Section 2.12. Citizen Advisory Board. There is established a Citizen Advisory Board. The Board shall appoint at least 5 and not more than 15 members to the Citizen Advisory Board. The Board shall follow the selection process in Section 5.01 for its appointments to the Citizen Advisory Board. The Board should strive to assemble a Citizen Advisory Board that is reflective of the diversity of the metropolitan region, the users of the various modes of public transportation, and the interests of the residents and institutions of the region in a strong public transportation system. At least one member of the Citizen Advisory Board shall represent transit riders with disabilities. The Citizen Advisory Board shall meet at least quarterly and shall advise the Board of the impact of its policies and programs on the communities within the metropolitan region. Members shall serve without compensation but shall be entitled to reimbursement of reasonable and necessary costs incurred in the performance of their duties. Citizen Advisory Board members are subject to the public transportation system usage requirements applicable to Authority Directors pursuant to Section 5.02.

Article III. TRANSITION

Section 3.01. Transition Committee.

(a) The Board shall establish a Transition Committee of the Board composed of a diverse subset of Directors. Directors appointed to the Transition Committee shall devote substantial time and effort to managing the transitions required by this Act in addition to their regular responsibilities as Directors. In recognition of this level of additional effort, the Board may authorize additional compensation for the Directors serving on the Transition Committee over the Director compensation authorized by Section 2.09. Such additional compensation shall be on a documented per hour worked basis at a rate set by the Board up to $150,000 annually.

(b) The responsibilities of the Transition Committee, subject to the oversight of the Board, include the following:

(1) developing a transition plan for implementing the improvements contemplated by this Act;

(2) forming, staffing, and overseeing the activities of an Integration Management Office charged with the day-to-day responsibility for implementing the operational and organization changes contemplated by this Act;

(3) leading the search for a Chief Executive Officer of the Authority who has experience managing large public transportation systems, which may include systems outside of North America, or who has similar relevant experience in managing other complex organizations;

(4) overseeing the transfer of personnel and staff responsibilities from the consolidated entities to the Authority to implement the provisions of this Act most effectively; and

(5) regularly reporting to the full Board on the status of the transition effort and make recommendations for Board policies and actions.

(c) The Board shall implement this Act in accordance with the following timetable:

(1) All seats on the Board shall be filled, a Chair shall be selected, and the Board Transition Committee shall be appointed and in operation no later than one year after the effective date of this Act.

(2) The Integration Management Office shall be fully organized and operating by no later than 2 years after the effective date of this Act.

(3) A permanent Chief Executive Officer shall be selected and in place at the Authority by no later than 3 years after the effective date of this Act.

(4) A final transition plan shall be approved by no later than 3 years after the effective date of this Act.

(5) The transfer of all functions and responsibilities to the Authority as contemplated by this Act shall be completed by no later than 4 years after the effective date of this Act.

Section 3.02. Consolidation. On the effective date of this Act and without further action:

(1) The Chicago Transit Authority, the Commuter Rail Division and the Suburban Bus Division of the Regional Transportation Authority, and the Regional Transportation Authority are consolidated into the Authority and the Service Boards are abolished.

(2) To the fullest extent allowed by applicable law, the Authority shall succeed to all the rights, assets, franchises, contracts, property, and interests of every kind of the consolidated entities, including all rights, powers, and duties of the Commuter Rail Division with respect to the Northeast Illinois Regional Rail Passenger Corporation.

(3) All previous lawful actions of the consolidated entities shall be valid and binding upon the Authority, and the Authority shall be substituted for the consolidated entities with respect to each of those actions.

(4) All fines, penalties, and forfeitures incurred or imposed for the violation of any ordinance of a consolidated entity shall be enforced or collected by the Authority.

(5) All lawful ordinances, regulations, and rules of the consolidated entities consistent with the provisions of this Act shall continue in full force and effect as ordinances, regulations, and rules of the Authority until amended or repealed by the Authority.

(6) The title to and possession of all land, property, and funds of every kind owned by or in which a consolidated entity possesses an interest shall not revert or be impaired but shall be vested in the Authority to the same extent and subject to the same restrictions, if any, applicable to the land, property, and funds.

(7) A director or officer ceasing to hold office by virtue of this Act and any employee of a consolidated entity shall deliver and turn over to the Authority, or to a person it may designate, all papers, records, books, documents, property, real and personal, and pending business of any kind in the director's, officer's, or employee's possession or custody and shall account to the Authority for all moneys for which the director, officer, or employee is responsible.

(8) The separate existence of the consolidated entities shall cease and the term of office of each director and officer of those entities shall terminate, except that the directors of the Regional Transportation Authority on the effective date of this Act shall serve as temporary Directors of the Authority until their successors are appointed pursuant to Section 5.01. The Authority and the appointing authorities shall begin the process under Section 5.01 to select successors to the temporary Directors no later than 30 days after the effective date of this Act.

Section 3.03. Transfer of employees and collective bargaining rights.

(a) The provisions of this Section establish the procedures to be followed by the Authority in dealing with employees of the consolidated entities in carrying out the consolidation and reorganization of public transportation provided for in this Act and to provide fair and equitable protection for those employees.

(b) On the effective date of this Act, all persons employed by the consolidated entities shall become employees of the Authority.

(c) The Authority shall assume and observe all applicable collective bargaining and other agreements between the consolidated entities and their employees in effect on the effective date of this Act.

(d) The Authority shall assume all pension obligations of the consolidated entities and the employees of the consolidated entities who are members or beneficiaries of any existing pension or retirement system and shall continue to have the rights, privileges, obligations, and status with respect to such system or systems as prescribed by law. Employees shall be given sick leave, vacation, insurance, and pension credits in accordance with the records or labor agreements of the consolidated entities provided to an employee under an ordinance adopted or a contract executed by a consolidated entity. The Authority shall determine the number of employees necessary to provide public transportation services on a consolidated basis and to carry out the functions of the Authority and shall determine fair and equitable arrangements for the employees of the Authority who are affected by actions provided for by this Act.

(e) If the Authority and an accredited representative of the employees of a consolidated entity fail to agree on a matter covered by a collective bargaining agreement and related to the implementation of this Act, either party may request the assistance of a mediator appointed by either the State or Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service who shall seek to resolve the dispute. If the dispute is not resolved by mediation within a 21-day period, the mediator shall certify to the parties that an impasse exists. Upon receipt of the mediator's certificate, the parties shall submit the dispute to arbitration by a board composed of 3 persons, one appointed by the Authority, one appointed by the labor organization representing the employees, and a third member to be agreed upon by the labor organization and the Authority. The member agreed upon by the labor organization and the Authority shall act as chair of the board. The determination of the majority of the board of arbitration thus established shall be final and binding on all matters in dispute. If, after a period of 10 days from the date of the appointment of the 2 arbitrators representing the Authority and the labor organization, the third arbitrator has not been selected, then either arbitrator may request the American Arbitration Association to furnish from the current listing of the membership of the National Academy of Arbitrators the names of 7 members of the National Academy. The arbitrators appointed by the Authority and the labor organization shall determine, promptly after the receipt of the list, by that order alternatively eliminate one name until only one name remains. The remaining person on the list shall be the third arbitrator. Each party shall pay an equal proportionate share of the impartial arbitrator's fees and expenses.

Article IV. POWERS

Section 4.01. Responsibility for public transportation. As the provider of public transportation in the metropolitan region, the Authority may:

(1) adopt plans that implement the public policy of the State to provide adequate, efficient, equitable, and coordinated public transportation throughout the metropolitan region;

(2) develop Service Standards and performance measures to inform the public about the extent to which the provision of public transportation in the metropolitan region meets those goals, objectives, and standards;

(3) use the Service Standards and performance standards to objectively and transparently determine the level, nature, and kind of public transportation that should be provided for the metropolitan region;

(4) budget and allocate operating and capital funds efficiently and in a cost-effective manner to support public transportation in the metropolitan region;

(5) coordinate the provision of public transportation and the investment in public transportation facilities to enhance the integration of public transportation throughout the metropolitan region;

(6) operate or otherwise provide for public transportation services throughout the metropolitan region;

(7) plan, procure, and operate an integrated fare collection system;

(8) conduct operations, service, and capital planning;

(9) provide design and construction oversight of capital projects;

(10) procure goods and services necessary to fulfill its responsibilities;

(11) develop or participate in residential and commercial development on and in the vicinity of public transportation stations and routes to facilitate transit-supportive land uses, increase public transportation ridership, generate revenue, and improve access to jobs and other opportunities in the metropolitan region by public transportation; and

(12) take all other necessary and reasonable steps to provide public transportation in the metropolitan region.

Section 4.02. General powers. Except as otherwise limited by this Act, the Authority shall have all powers necessary to meet its responsibilities and to carry out its purposes, including, but not limited to, the following powers:

(1) to sue and be sued;

(2) to invest any funds or any moneys not required for immediate use or disbursement, as provided in the Public Funds Investment Act;

(3) to make, amend, and repeal by-laws, rules, and ordinances consistent with this Act;

(4) to borrow money and to issue its negotiable bonds or notes;

(5) to hold, sell, sell by installment contract, lease as lessor, transfer, or dispose of such real or personal property as it deems appropriate in the exercise of its powers or to provide for the use thereof by any transportation agency and to mortgage, pledge, or otherwise grant security interests in any such property;

(6) to enter at reasonable times upon such lands, waters, or premises as in the judgment of the Authority may be necessary, convenient, or desirable for the purpose of making surveys, soundings, borings, and examinations to accomplish any purpose authorized by this Act after having given reasonable notice of such proposed entry to the owners and occupants of such lands, waters or premises, the Authority being liable only for actual damage caused by such activity;

(7) to procure the goods and services necessary to perform its responsibilities;

(8) to make and execute all contracts and other instruments necessary or convenient to the exercise of its powers;

(9) to enter into contracts of group insurance for the benefit of its employees, to provide for retirement or pensions or other employee benefit arrangements for its employees, and to assume obligations for pensions or other employee benefit arrangements for employees of transportation agencies, of which all or part of the facilities are acquired by the Authority;

(10) to provide for the insurance of any property, directors, officers, employees, or operations of the Authority against any risk or hazard, and to self-insure or participate in joint self-insurance pools or entities to insure against any risk or hazard;

(11) to appear before the Illinois Commerce Commission in all proceedings concerning the Authority or any transportation agency;

(12) to pass all ordinances and make all rules and regulations proper or necessary to regulate the use, operation, and maintenance of its property and facilities and those of its Operating Divisions and, by ordinance, to prescribe fines or penalties for violations of ordinances. No fine or penalty shall exceed $5,000 per offense. An ordinance providing for any fine or penalty shall be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the metropolitan region. No such ordinance shall take effect until 10 days after its publication;

(13) to enter into arbitration arrangements, which may be final and binding; and

(14) to provide funding and other support for projects in the metropolitan region under the Equitable Transit-Supportive Development Act.

Section 4.03. Purchase of transit services.

(a) The Authority may provide public transportation by purchasing public transportation services from transportation agencies through purchase of service agreements or grants.

(b) The Authority may make grants to or enter into purchase of service agreements with a transportation agency for operating and other expenses, developing or planning public transportation, or for constructing or acquiring public transportation facilities, all upon such terms and conditions as the Authority shall prescribe.

(c) The Board shall adopt guidelines setting forth uniform standards for the making of grants and purchase of service agreements. The grants or purchase of service agreements may be for a number of years or duration as the parties shall agree.

(d) A transportation agency providing public transportation pursuant to a purchase of service or grant agreement with the Authority is subject to the Illinois Human Rights Act and the remedies and procedures established under that Act. The transportation agency shall file an affirmative action program with regard to public transportation so provided with the Department of Human Rights within one year of the purchase of service or grant agreement to ensure that applicants are employed and that employees are treated during employment without unlawful discrimination. The affirmative action program shall include provisions relating to hiring, upgrading, demotion, transfer, recruitment, recruitment advertising, selection for training, and rates of pay or other forms of compensation. Unlawful discrimination, as defined and prohibited in the Illinois Human Rights Act, may not be made in any term or aspect of employment, and discrimination based upon political reasons or factors is prohibited.

(e) The Authority is not subject to the Public Utilities Act. Transportation agencies that have any purchase of service or grant agreement with the Authority are not subject to that Act as to any public transportation that is the subject of a purchase of service or grant agreement.

(f) A contract or agreement entered into by a transportation agency with the Authority and discontinuation of the contract or agreement by the Authority are not subject to approval of or regulation by the Illinois Commerce Commission.

(g) The Authority shall assume all costs of rights, benefits, and protective conditions to which an employee is entitled under this Act from a transportation agency if the inability of the transportation agency to meet its obligations in relation thereto due to bankruptcy or insolvency, provided that the Authority shall retain the right to proceed against the bankrupt or insolvent transportation agency or its successors, trustees, assigns or debtors for the costs assumed. The Authority may mitigate its liability under this subsection and under Section 2.11 to the extent of employment and employment benefits which it tenders.

Section 4.04. Paratransit services.

(a) As used in this Section, "ADA paratransit services" means those comparable or specialized transportation services provided to individuals with disabilities who are unable to use fixed-route transportation systems and who are determined to be eligible, for some or all of their trips, for such services under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and its implementing regulations.

(b) The Authority is responsible for the funding, financial review, and oversight of all ADA paratransit services that are provided by the Authority or by any transportation agency.

(c) The Authority shall develop plans for the provision of ADA paratransit services and submit the plans to the Federal Transit Administration for approval. The Authority shall comply with the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and its implementing regulations in developing and approving the plans, including, without limitation, consulting with individuals with disabilities and groups representing them in the community and providing adequate opportunity for public comment and public hearings. The plans shall also include, without limitation, provisions to:

(1) maintain, at a minimum, the levels of ADA paratransit service that are required to be provided by the Authority pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and its implementing regulations;

(2) provide for consistent policies throughout the metropolitan region for scheduling of ADA paratransit service trips to and from destinations, with consideration of scheduling of return trips on a will-call, open-ended basis upon request of the rider, if practicable;

(3) provide that service contracts and rates with private carriers and taxicabs for ADA paratransit service, entered into or set after the approval by the Federal Transit Administration, are procured by means of an open procurement process;

(4) provide for fares, fare collection, and billing procedures for ADA paratransit services throughout the metropolitan region;

(5) provide for performance standards for all ADA paratransit service transportation carriers, with consideration of door-to-door service;

(6) provide, in cooperation with the Department of Transportation, the Department of Healthcare and Family Services, and other appropriate public agencies and private entities for the application and receipt of grants, including, without limitation, reimbursement from Medicaid or other programs for ADA paratransit services;

(7) provide for a system of dispatch of ADA paratransit services transportation carriers throughout the metropolitan region with consideration of county-based dispatch systems already in place;

(8) provide for a process of determining eligibility for ADA paratransit services that complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and its implementing regulations;

(9) provide for consideration of innovative methods to provide and fund ADA paratransit services; and

(10) provide for the creation of an ADA advisory board to represent the diversity of individuals with disabilities in the metropolitan region and to provide appropriate ongoing input from individuals with disabilities into the operation of ADA paratransit services.

(d) All revisions and annual updates to the ADA paratransit services plans developed pursuant to subsection (c), or certifications of continued compliance in lieu of plan updates, that are required to be provided to the Federal Transit Administration shall be developed by the Authority and the Authority shall submit the revision, update, or certification to the Federal Transit Administration for approval.

(e) The Department of Transportation, the Department of Healthcare and Family Services, and the Authority shall enter into intergovernmental agreements as may be necessary to provide funding and accountability for, and implementation of, the requirements of this Section.

(f) In conjunction with its adoption of its Strategic Plan, the Authority shall develop and submit to the General Assembly and the Governor a funding plan for ADA paratransit services. The funding plan shall, at a minimum, contain an analysis of the current costs of providing ADA paratransit services, projections of the long-term costs of providing ADA paratransit services, identification of and recommendations for possible cost efficiencies in providing ADA paratransit services, and identification of and recommendations for possible funding sources for providing ADA paratransit services. The Department of Transportation, the Department of Healthcare and Family Services, and other State and local public agencies, as appropriate, shall cooperate with the Authority in the preparation of the funding plan.

(g) Any funds derived from the federal Medicaid program for reimbursement of the costs of providing ADA paratransit services within the metropolitan region shall be directed to the Authority and shall be used to pay for or reimburse the costs of providing ADA paratransit services.

Section 4.05. Fares and nature of service.

(a) The Authority has the sole authority for setting fares and charges for public transportation services in the metropolitan region, including public transportation provided by transportation agencies pursuant to purchase of service or grant agreements with the Authority, and for establishing the nature and standards of public transportation to be so provided in accordance with the Strategic Plan and Service Standards.

(b) The Authority shall develop and implement a regionally coordinated and consolidated fare collection system.

(c) Whenever the Authority provides any public transportation pursuant to grants to transportation agencies for operating expenses, other than with regard to experimental programs, or pursuant to any purchase of service agreement, the purchase of service or grant agreements shall provide for the level and nature of fares or charges to be made for such services and the nature and standards of public transportation to be so provided.

(d) In so providing for the fares or charges and the nature and standards of public transportation, any purchase of service or grant agreements shall provide, among other matters, for the terms and cost of transfers or interconnections between different modes of transportation and different public transportation providers.

(e) At least once every 2 years, the Authority shall assess the need to make fare adjustments in light of inflation, budgetary needs, and other relevant policy considerations. The Board shall, by ordinance, retain the existing fare structure or adopt a revised fare structure. The Authority shall take reasonable steps to get public input as part of its assessment, and the Board shall conduct a public hearing before adopting its fare structure ordinance.

(f) By no later than 2 years after the effective date of this Act, the Authority shall implement:

(1) an income-based reduced fare program; and

(2) fare capping for individual services and across public transportation service providers.

(g) The Authority must develop and make available for use by riders a universal fare instrument that may be used interchangeably on all public transportation funded by the Authority.

Section 4.06. Use of streets and roads.

(a) The Authority may, by ordinance, provide for special lanes for exclusive or special use by public transportation vehicles with regard to any roads, streets, ways, highways, bridges, toll highways, or toll bridges in the metropolitan region, notwithstanding any other law, ordinance, or regulation to the contrary.

(b) The Authority may use and, by ordinance, authorize a transportation agency to use without any franchise, charge, permit, or license any public road, street, way, highway, bridge, toll highway, or toll bridge within the metropolitan region for the provision of public transportation. Transportation agencies that have purchase of service or grant agreements with the Authority as to any public transportation are not, as to any aspect of the public transportation, subject to any supervision, licensing, or regulation imposed by a unit of local government in the metropolitan region, except as may be specifically authorized by the Authority and except for regular police supervision of vehicular traffic.

Section 4.07. Bus rapid transit and related technologies. To improve public transportation service in the metropolitan region, the Authority shall accelerate the implementation of bus rapid transit services using the expressway, tollway, and other roadway systems in the metropolitan region. The Department of Transportation and the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority shall collaborate with the Authority in the implementation of bus rapid transit services. The Authority, in cooperation with the Department of Transportation and the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority, shall evaluate and refine approaches to bus rapid transit operations and shall investigate technology options that facilitate the shared use of the bus rapid transit lanes and provide revenue for financing construction and operation of public transportation facilities. The Authority shall also research, evaluate, and, where appropriate, implement vehicle, infrastructure, intelligent transportation systems, and other technologies to improve the quality and safety of public transportation on roadway systems in the metropolitan region.

Section 4.08. Coordination with the Department of Transportation.

(a) The Authority shall promptly review the Department of Transportation's plans under Section 2705-354 of the Department of Transportation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois and provide the Department with recommendations for any needed modifications to enhance the operation and safety of public transportation on the highway. The Department shall review the recommendations and respond to the Authority's comments as set forth in that Section.

(b) The Department and the Authority shall jointly develop and publish on their websites guidelines, timetables, and best practices for how they will advance highway designs and operations on highways under the Department's jurisdiction in the metropolitan region to optimize the efficacy, safety, and attractiveness of public transportation on such highways.

Section 4.09. Eminent domain.

(a) The Authority may take and acquire possession by eminent domain of any property or interest in property which the Authority may acquire under this Act. The power of eminent domain may be exercised by ordinance of the Authority and shall extend to all types of interests in property, both real and personal, including, without limitation, easements for access purposes to and rights of concurrent usage of existing or planned public transportation facilities, whether the property is public property or is devoted to public use and whether the property is owned or held by a public transportation agency, except as specifically limited by this Act.

(b) The Authority shall exercise the power of eminent domain granted in this Section in the manner provided for the exercise of the right of eminent domain under the Eminent Domain Act, except that the Authority may not exercise quick-take authority provided in Article 20 of the Eminent Domain Act providing for immediate possession in such proceedings and except that those provisions of Section 10-5-10 of the Eminent Domain Act requiring prior approval of the Illinois Commerce Commission in certain instances shall apply to eminent domain proceedings by the Authority only as to any taking or damaging by the Authority of any real property of a railroad not used for public transportation or of any real property of other public utilities.

(c) The Authority may exercise the right of eminent domain to acquire public property with the approval of the Board. In a proceeding for the taking of public property by the Authority through the exercise of the power of eminent domain, the venue shall be in the circuit court of the county in which the property is located. The right of eminent domain may be exercised over property used for public park purposes, for State forest purposes, or for forest preserve purposes with the approval of the Board, after public hearing and a written study done for the Authority, that such taking is necessary to accomplish the purposes of this Act, that no feasible alternatives to such taking exist, and that the advantages to the public from such taking exceed the disadvantages to the public of doing so. In a proceeding for the exercise of the right of eminent domain for the taking by the Authority of property used for public park, State forest, or forest preserve purposes, the court shall not order the taking of such property unless it has reviewed and concurred in the findings required of the Authority by this paragraph. Property dedicated as a nature preserve pursuant to the Illinois Natural Areas Preservation Act may not be acquired by eminent domain by the Authority.

(d) The acquisition by the Authority by eminent domain of any property is not subject to the approval of or regulation by the Illinois Commerce Commission, except that any requirement in Section 10-5-10 of the Eminent Domain Act requiring in certain instances prior approval of the Illinois Commerce Commission for taking or damaging of property of railroads or other public utilities shall continue to apply as to any taking or damaging by the Authority of any real property of such a railroad not used for public transportation or of any real property of such other public utility.

(e) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, any power granted under this Act to acquire property by condemnation or eminent domain is subject to, and shall be exercised in accordance with, the Eminent Domain Act.

Section 4.10. Acquisitions.

(a) The Authority may acquire any public transportation facility for its use or for use by a transportation agency and may acquire any such facilities from a transportation agency, including, without limitation, reserve funds, employees' pension or retirement funds, special funds, franchises, licenses, patents, permits and papers, documents, and records of the transportation agency.

(b) In connection with an acquisition under subsection (a) from a transportation agency, the Authority may assume obligations of the transportation agency with regard to such facilities or property or public transportation operations of such agency.

(c) In each case in which this Act gives the Authority the power to construct or acquire real or personal property, the Authority may acquire such property by contract, purchase, gift, grant, exchange for other property or rights in property, lease, sublease, or installment or conditional purchase contracts. A lease or contract may provide for consideration to be paid in annual installments during a period not exceeding 40 years. Property may be acquired subject to such conditions, restrictions, liens, or security or other interests of other parties as the Authority deems appropriate, and, in each case, the Authority may acquire a joint, leasehold, easement, license, or other partial interest in such property. Any such acquisition may provide for the assumption of, or agreement to pay, perform, or discharge outstanding or continuing duties, obligations, or liabilities of the seller, lessor, donor, or other transferor of or of the trustee with regard to such property.

(d) In connection with the acquisition of public transportation equipment, including, but not limited to, rolling stock, vehicles, locomotives, buses, or rapid transit equipment, the Authority may also execute agreements concerning such equipment leases, equipment trust certificates, conditional purchase agreements, and other security agreements and may make such agreements and covenants as required in the form customarily used in such cases appropriate to effect such acquisition.

(e) Obligations of the Authority incurred pursuant to this Section shall not be considered bonds or notes within the meaning of Section 6.05.

Section 4.11. Public bidding.

(a) The Board shall adopt rules to ensure that the acquisition by the Authority of services or public transportation facilities, other than real estate, involving a cost of more than the small purchase threshold set by the Federal Transit Administration and the disposition of all property of the Authority shall be after public notice and with public bidding.

(b) The Board shall adopt rules to ensure that the construction, demolition, rehabilitation, renovation, and building maintenance projects by the Authority for services or public transportation facilities involving a cost of more than $40,000 or such other amount set by the Board by ordinance shall be after public notice and with public bidding. The ordinance may provide for exceptions to such requirements for acquisition of repair parts, accessories, equipment, or services previously furnished or contracted for; for the immediate delivery of supplies, material, or equipment or performance of service when it is determined by the concurrence of a majority of the then Directors that an emergency requires immediate delivery or supply thereof; for goods or services that are economically procurable from only one source; for contracts for the maintenance or servicing of equipment which are made with the manufacturers or authorized service agent of that equipment where the maintenance or servicing can best be performed by the manufacturer or authorized service agent or such a contract would be otherwise advantageous to the Authority, except that the exceptions in this clause shall not apply to contracts for plumbing, heating, piping, refrigeration, and automatic temperature control systems, ventilating, and distribution systems for conditioned air, and electrical wiring; for goods or services procured from another governmental agency; for purchases and contracts for the use or purchase of data processing equipment and data processing systems software; for the acquisition of professional or utility services; and for the acquisition of public transportation equipment, including, but not limited to, rolling stock, locomotives, and buses if: (i) it is determined by the Directors that a negotiated acquisition offers opportunities with respect to the cost or financing of the equipment, its delivery, or the performance of a portion of the work within the State or the use of goods produced or services provided within the State; (ii) a notice of intention to negotiate for the acquisition of such public transportation equipment is published in a newspaper of general circulation within the metropolitan region inviting proposals from qualified vendors; and (iii) any contract with respect to such acquisition is authorized by the Directors.

(c) The requirements set forth in this Section do not apply to purchase of service or grant agreements or other contracts, purchases, or sales entered into by the Authority with any transportation agency or unit of local government.

(d) The Authority may use a 2-phase design-build selection procedure as follows:

(1) The Authority may authorize the use of competitive selection and the prequalification of responsible bidders consistent with all applicable laws.

(2) 2-phase design-build selection procedures shall consist of the following:

(A) The Authority shall develop, through licensed architects or licensed engineers, a scope of work statement for inclusion in the solicitation for phase-one proposals that defines the project and provides prospective offerors with sufficient information regarding the Authority's requirements. The statement shall include criteria and preliminary design, general budget parameters, and general schedule or delivery requirements to enable the offerors to submit proposals which meet the Authority's needs. When the 2-phase design-build selection procedure is used and the Authority contracts for development of the scope of work statement, the Authority shall contract for architectural or engineering services as defined by and in accordance with the Architectural, Engineering, and Land Surveying Qualifications Based Selection Act and all applicable licensing statutes.

(B) The evaluation factors to be used in evaluating phase-one proposals must be stated in the solicitation and must include specialized experience and technical competence, capability to perform, past performance of the offeror's team, including the architect-engineer and construction members of the team, and other appropriate technical and qualifications factors. Each solicitation must establish the relative importance assigned to the evaluation factors and the subfactors that must be considered in the evaluation of phase-one proposals on the basis of the evaluation factors set forth in the solicitation. Each design-build team must include a licensed design professional independent from the Authority's licensed architect or engineer and a licensed design professional must be named in the phase-one proposals submitted to the Authority.

(C) On the basis of the phase-one proposal, the Authority shall select as the most highly qualified the number of offerors specified in the solicitation and request the selected offerors to submit phase-two competitive proposals and cost or price information. Each solicitation must establish the relative importance assigned to the evaluation factors and the subfactors that must be considered in the evaluation of phase-two proposals on the basis of the evaluation factors set forth in the solicitation. The Authority may negotiate with the selected design-build team after award but prior to contract execution for the purpose of securing better terms than originally proposed if the salient features of the design-build solicitation are not diminished. Each phase-two solicitation evaluates separately (i) the technical submission for the proposal, including design concepts or proposed solutions to requirements addressed within the scope of work, and (ii) the evaluation factors and subfactors, including cost or price, that must be considered in the evaluations of proposals.

(D) A design-build solicitation issued under the procedures in this subsection shall state the maximum number of offerors that are to be selected to submit competitive phase-two proposals. The maximum number specified in the solicitation shall not exceed 5 unless the Authority with respect to an individual solicitation determines that a specified number greater than 5 is in the best interest of the Authority and is consistent with the purposes and objectives of the two-phase design-build selection process.

(E) All designs submitted as part of the two-phase selection process and not selected shall be proprietary to the preparers.

Section 4.12. Limitations on Authority powers.

(a) The Authority may not:

(1) require or authorize the operation of, or operate or acquire by eminent domain or otherwise, any public transportation facility or service on terms or in a manner which unreasonably interferes with the ability of a railroad to provide efficient freight or intercity passenger service. This paragraph does not bar the Authority from acquiring title to any property in a manner consistent with this paragraph;

(2) obtain by eminent domain any interest in a right-of-way or any other real property of a railroad that is not a public body in excess of the interest to be used for public transportation as provided in this Act; or

(3) prohibit the operation of public transportation by a private carrier that does not receive a grant or purchase of service agreement from the Authority.

(b) If, in connection with any construction, acquisition, or other activity undertaken by or for the Authority or pursuant to any purchase of service or grant agreement with the Authority, a facility of a public utility, as defined in the Public Utilities Act, is removed or relocated from its then-existing site, all costs and expenses of such relocation or removal, including the cost of installing such facilities in a new location or locations, and the cost of any land or lands, interest in land, or any rights required to accomplish such relocation or removal, shall be paid by the Authority. If any such facilities are so relocated onto the properties of the Authority or onto properties made available for that purpose by the Authority, there shall be no rent, fee, or other charge of any kind imposed upon the public utility owning or operating such facilities in excess of that imposed prior to such relocation and such public utility, and its successors and assigns, and the public utility shall be granted the right to operate such facilities in the new location or locations for as long a period and upon the same terms and conditions as it had the right to maintain and operate such facilities in their former location. Nothing in this subsection shall prevent the Authority and a transportation agency from agreeing in a purchase of service agreement or otherwise to make different arrangements for such relocations or the costs thereof.

Section 4.13. Appointment of officers and employees.

(a) The Authority may appoint, retain, and employ officers, attorneys, agents, engineers, and employees. The officers shall include an Executive Director, who shall be the chief executive officer of the Authority, appointed by the Chair with the concurrence of the Board.

(b) The Executive Director must be an individual of proven transportation and management skills and may not be a member of the Board, except as provided in subsection (d) of Section 2.07.

(c) The Executive Director shall hire and organize the staff of the Authority, shall allocate their functions and duties, shall fix compensation and conditions of employment of the staff of the Authority, and, consistent with the policies of and direction from the Board, take all actions necessary to achieve the Executive Director's purposes, fulfill the Executive Director's responsibilities, and carry out the Executive Director's powers. The Executive Director shall have such other powers and responsibilities as the Board shall determine.

(d) The Authority may employ its own professional management personnel to provide professional and technical expertise concerning its purposes and powers and to assist it in assessing the performance of the Authority and the transportation agencies in the metropolitan region.

(e) No employee, officer, or agent of the Authority may receive a bonus that exceeds 10% of the employee's, officer's, or agent's annual salary unless the Board has approved that bonus. This subsection does not apply to usual and customary salary adjustments or payments made under performance-based compensation plans adopted pursuant to Section 5.04.

(f) Unlawful discrimination, as defined and prohibited in the Illinois Human Rights Act, shall not be made in any term or aspect of employment and there may not be discrimination based upon political reasons or factors. The Authority shall establish regulations to ensure that its discharges shall not be arbitrary and that hiring and promotion are based on merit.

(g) The Authority is subject to the Illinois Human Rights Act and the remedies and procedures established under that Act. The Authority shall file an affirmative action program for employment by it with the Department of Human Rights to ensure that applicants are employed and that employees are treated during employment, without regard to unlawful discrimination. Such affirmative action program shall include provisions relating to hiring, upgrading, demotion, transfer, recruitment, recruitment advertising, selection for training, and rates of pay or other forms of compensation.

Section 4.14. Policy with respect to protective arrangements, collective bargaining, and labor relations.

(a) The Authority shall ensure that every employee of the Authority or a transportation agency shall receive fair and equitable protection against actions of the Authority, which shall not be less than those established pursuant to Section 13(c) of the Urban Mass Transportation Act of 1964, as amended (49 U.S.C. 1609(c)), and Section 405(b) of the Rail Passenger Service Act of 1970, as amended (45 U.S.C. 565(b)), and as prescribed by the United States Secretary of Labor under those Acts at the time of the protective agreement or arbitration decision providing protection.

(b) There shall be no limitation on freedom of association among employees of the Authority nor any denial of the right of employees to join or support a labor organization and to bargain collectively through representatives of their own choosing.

(c) The Authority and the duly accredited representatives of employees shall have the obligation to bargain collectively in good faith, and the Authority shall enter into written collective bargaining agreements with such representatives.

(d) As used in this Section, "actions of the Authority" includes the Authority's acquisition and operation of public transportation facilities, the execution of purchase of service and grant agreements made under this Act and the coordination, reorganization, combining, leasing, merging of operations, or the expansion or curtailment of public transportation services or facilities by the Authority. "Actions of the Authority" does not include a failure or refusal to enter into a purchase of service or grant agreement.

Section 4.15. Employee protection. The Authority shall negotiate or arrange for the negotiation of such fair and equitable employee arrangements with the employees, through their accredited representatives authorized to act for them. If agreement cannot be reached on the terms of such protective arrangement, any party may submit any matter in dispute to arbitration. In such arbitration, each party shall have the right to select nonvoting arbitration board members. The impartial arbitrator shall be selected by the American Arbitration Association and appointed from a current listing of the membership of the National Academy of Arbitrators, upon request of any party. The impartial arbitrator's decision shall be final and binding on all parties. Each party shall pay an equal proportionate share of the impartial arbitrator's fees and expenses.

Section 4.16. Employee pensions. The Authority may establish and maintain systems of pensions and retirement benefits for officers and employees of the Authority as may be designated or described by ordinance of the Authority; may fix the classifications of the systems of pensions and retirement; may take such steps as may be necessary to provide that persons eligible for admission to the pension systems as officers and employees of the Authority or of a transportation agency whose operations are financed in whole or in part by the Authority, including that the officers and employees shall retain eligibility for admission to or continued coverage and participation under Title II of the federal Social Security Act, as amended, and the related provisions of the Federal Insurance Contributions Act, as amended, the federal Railroad Retirement Act, as amended, and the Railroad Retirement Tax Act, as amended, as the case may be; and may provide, in connection with the pension systems, a system of benefits payable to the beneficiaries and dependents of a participant in the pension systems after the death of the participant, whether accidental or otherwise, whether occurring in the actual performance of duty or otherwise, or both, subject to exceptions, conditions, restrictions, and classifications as may be provided by ordinance of the Authority. The pension systems shall be financed or funded by means and in a manner as may be determined by the Authority to be economically feasible.

Section 4.17. Labor contracts.

(a) The Authority shall deal with and enter into written contracts with employees of the Authority through accredited representatives of the employees authorized to act for the employees concerning wages, salaries, hours, working conditions, and pension or retirement provisions. However, nothing in this Act shall be construed to permit hours of labor in excess of those prohibited by law or to permit working conditions prohibited by law.

(b) If the Authority acquires the public transportation facilities of a transportation agency and operates such facilities, all employees actively engaged in the operation of the facilities shall be transferred to and appointed as employees of the Authority, subject to all the rights and benefits of Sections 4.14 through 4.18, and the Authority shall assume and observe all applicable labor contracts and pension obligations. These employees shall be given seniority credit and sick leave, vacation, insurance, and pension credits in accordance with the records or labor agreements from the acquired transportation system. Members and beneficiaries of any pension or retirement system or other benefits established by the acquired transportation system shall continue to have rights, privileges, benefits, obligations, and status with respect to the established retirement or retirement system. The Authority shall assume the obligations of any transportation system acquired by it with regard to wages, salaries, hours, working conditions, sick leave, health and welfare, and pension or retirement provisions for these employees. The Authority and the employees, through their representatives for collective bargaining purposes, shall take whatever action may be necessary to have pension trust funds presently under the joint control of such transportation agency and the participating employees through their representatives transferred to the trust funds to be established, maintained, and administered jointly by the Authority and the participating employees through their representatives.

(c) If the Authority takes any of the actions specified in subsection (d) of Section 4.14, it shall do so only after meeting the requirements of subsection (a) of Section 4.14 and Section 4.15. If the Authority acquires and operates the public transportation facilities of a transportation agency engaged in the transportation of persons by railroad, it shall do so only in such manner as to ensure the continued applicability to the railroad employees affected thereby of the provisions of all federal statutes then applicable to them and a continuation of their existing collective bargaining agreements until the provisions of said agreements can be renegotiated by representatives of the Authority and the representatives of said employees duly designated as such pursuant to the terms and provisions of the Railway Labor Act, as amended (45 U.S.C. 151 et seq.). However, nothing in this subsection shall prevent the abandonment of such facilities, the discontinuance of such operations pursuant to applicable law, or the substitution of other operations or facilities for such operations or facilities, whether by merger, consolidation, coordination, or otherwise. If new or supplemental operations or facilities are substituted therefore, the provisions of Section 4.18 shall be applicable, and all questions concerning the selection of forces to perform the work of such new or supplemental facilities or operations and whether the Authority shall be required to ensure the continued applicability of the federal statutes applicable to such employees shall be negotiated and, if necessary, arbitrated, in accordance with subsection (a) of Section 4.18.

Section 4.18. Labor relations procedures.

(a) If the Authority proposes to operate or to enter into a contract to operate any new public transportation facility which may result in the displacement of employees or the rearrangement of the working forces of the Authority or of a transportation agency, the Authority shall give at least 90 days' written notice of such proposed operations to the representatives of the employees affected, and the Authority shall provide for the selection of forces to perform the work of that facility on the basis of agreement between the Authority and the representatives of such employees. If there is a failure to agree, the dispute may be submitted by the Authority or by any representative of the employees affected to final and binding arbitration by an impartial arbitrator to be selected by the American Arbitration Association from a current listing of arbitrators of the National Academy of Arbitrators.

(b) If there is a labor dispute not otherwise governed by this Act, by the Labor Management Relations Act of 1947, as amended, by the Railway Labor Act, as amended, or by impasse resolution provisions in a collective bargaining or protective agreement involving the Authority or any transportation agency financed, in whole or in part, by the Authority and the employees of the Authority or of any such transportation agency that is not settled by the parties thereto within 30 days from the date of commencement of negotiations, either party may request the assistance of a mediator appointed by either the State or Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, who shall seek to resolve the dispute. If the dispute is not resolved by mediation within a reasonable period, the mediator shall certify to the parties that an impasse exists. Upon receipt of the mediator's certification, any party to the dispute may, within 7 days, submit the dispute to a fact-finder who shall be selected by the parties pursuant to the rules of the American Arbitration Association from a current listing of members of the National Academy of Arbitrators supplied by the American Arbitration Association. The fact-finder shall have the duty to hold hearings, or otherwise take evidence from the parties under such other arrangements as they may agree. Upon completion of the parties' submissions, the fact-finder may issue and make public findings and recommendations or refer the dispute back to the parties for such other appropriate action as the fact-finder may recommend. If the parties do not reach agreement after the issuance of the fact-finder's report and recommendations, or, in cases where neither party requests fact-finding, the Authority shall offer to submit the dispute to arbitration by a board composed of 3 persons, one appointed by the Authority, one appointed by the labor organization representing the employees, and a third member to be agreed upon by the labor organization and the Authority. The member agreed upon by the labor organization and the Authority shall act as Chair of the board. The determination of the majority of the board of arbitration thus established shall be final and binding on all matters in dispute. If, after a period of 10 days from the date of the appointment of the 2 arbitrators representing the Authority and the labor organization, the third arbitrator has not been selected, then either arbitrator may request the American Arbitration Association to furnish from a current listing of the membership of the National Academy of Arbitrators the names of 7 such members of the National Academy from which the third arbitrator shall be selected. The arbitrators appointed by the Authority and the labor organization, promptly after the receipt of such list, shall determine by lot the order of elimination, and, thereafter, each shall in that order alternately eliminate one name until only one name remains. The remaining person on the list shall be the third arbitrator. Each party shall pay one-half of the expenses of such arbitration.

As used in this subsection, "labor dispute" shall be broadly construed and shall include any controversy concerning wages, salaries, hours, working conditions, or benefits, including health and welfare, sick leave, insurance, or pension or retirement provisions, but not limited thereto. "Labor dispute" includes any controversy concerning any differences or questions that may arise between the parties, including, but not limited to, the making or maintaining of collective bargaining agreements, the terms to be included in such agreements, and the interpretation or application of such collective bargaining agreements and any grievance that may arise.

Section 4.19. Workforce development.

(a) The Authority shall create or partner with a youth jobs program to provide internship or employment opportunities to youth and young adults to prepare them for careers in public transportation.

(b) The Authority may participate in and provide funding support for programs that prepare participants for careers in public transportation.

Section 4.20. Disadvantaged business enterprise contracting and equal employment opportunity programs.

(a) The Authority shall establish and maintain a disadvantaged business enterprise contracting program designed to ensure nondiscrimination in the award and administration of contracts not covered under a federally mandated disadvantaged business enterprise program. The program shall establish narrowly tailored goals for the participation of disadvantaged business enterprises as the Authority determines appropriate. The goals shall be based on demonstrable evidence of the availability of ready, willing, and able disadvantaged business enterprises relative to all businesses ready, willing, and able to participate in the program's contracts. The program shall require the Authority to monitor the progress of the contractors' obligations with respect to the program's goals. Nothing in this program shall conflict with or interfere with the maintenance or operation of, or compliance with, any federally mandated disadvantaged business enterprise program.

(b) The Authority shall establish and maintain a program designed to promote equal employment opportunity. Each year, no later than October 1, the Authority shall report to the General Assembly on the number of the Authority's respective employees and the number of the Authority's respective employees who have designated themselves as members of a minority group and minority gender.

(c) Each year, no later than October 1, and starting no later than the first October 1 after the establishment of its disadvantaged business enterprise contracting programs, the Authority shall submit a report with respect to such program to the General Assembly.

(d) Each year, no later than October 1, the Authority shall submit a copy of its federally mandated semi-annual Uniform Report of Disadvantaged Business Enterprises Awards or Commitments and Payments to the General Assembly.

(e) The Authority shall use the Illinois Works Job Program and other job training and job creation programs to the extent allowed by law and operationally feasible.

Section 4.21. Research and development. The Authority shall:

(1) study public transportation problems and developments; encourage experimentation in developing new public transportation technology, financing methods, and management procedures;

(2) conduct, in cooperation with other public and private agencies, studies, demonstrations, and development projects to test and develop methods for improving public transportation, for reducing its costs to users, or for increasing public use; and

(3) conduct, sponsor, and participate in other studies and experiments, which may include fare demonstration programs and transportation technology pilot programs, in conjunction with public agencies, including the United States Department of Transportation, the Illinois Department of Transportation, the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority, and the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning, useful to achieving the purposes of this Act.

Section 4.22. Protection of the environment.

(a) The Authority shall take all feasible and prudent steps to minimize environmental disruption and pollution arising from its activities and from public transportation activities of transportation agencies acting pursuant to purchase of service or grant agreements. In carrying out its purposes and powers under this Act, the Authority shall seek to reduce environmental disruption and pollution arising from all forms of transportation of persons within the metropolitan region. The Authority shall employ persons with skills and responsibilities for determining how to minimize such disruption and pollution.

(b) In recognition of the fact that the transportation sector accounts for approximately a third of the greenhouse gases generated in the State and that public transportation moves people with fewer such emissions, the Authority shall work cooperatively with the Department of Transportation, the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority, the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning, and other units of government to assist them in using investments in public transportation facilities and operations as a tool to help them meet their greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals. To the maximum extent allowed by law, the Authority is eligible to receive funding and other assistance from local, state, and federal sources so the Authority can assist in using improved and expanded public transportation in the metropolitan region to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and other pollution generated by the transportation sector.

(c) Subject to all applicable laws, the Authority may participate in market-based environmental remediation programs, including, but not limited to, carbon emissions markets, through which the Authority can realize revenue reflecting the value of greenhouse gas emissions reductions it delivers through public transportation services in the metropolitan region.

Section 4.23. Bikeways and trails. The Authority may use its funds, personnel, and other resources to acquire, construct, operate, and maintain on-road and off-road bikeways, bike lanes, and trails that connect people to public transportation facilities and services. The Authority shall cooperate with other governmental and private agencies in bikeway and trail programs.

Section 4.24. Clean, green, or alternative fuel vehicles. Any vehicles purchased from funds made available to the Authority from the Transportation Bond, Series B Fund, or the Multi-modal Transportation Bond Fund must incorporate technologies advancing energy commonly known as clean or green energy and alternative fuel technologies, to the extent practical.

Section 4.25. Zero-emission buses.

(a) As used in this Section:

"Zero-emission bus" means a bus that is:

(1) designed to carry more than 10 passengers and is used to carry passengers for compensation;

(2) a zero-emission vehicle; and

(3) not a taxi.

"Zero-emission vehicle" means a fuel cell or electric vehicle that:

(1) is a motor vehicle;

(2) is made by a commercial manufacturer;

(3) is manufactured primarily for use on public streets, roads, and highways;

(4) has a maximum speed capability of at least 55 miles per hour;

(5) is powered entirely by electricity or powered by combining hydrogen and oxygen, which runs the motor;

(6) has an operating range of at least one hundred miles; and

(7) produces only water vapor and heat as byproducts.

(b) On or after July 1, 2026, the Authority may not enter into a new contract to purchase a bus that is not a zero-emission bus for the purpose of the Authority's bus fleet.

(c) For the purposes of determining compliance with this Section, the Authority is not in violation of this Section when failure to comply is due to:

(i) the unavailability of zero-emission buses from a manufacturer or funding to purchase zero-emission buses;

(ii) the lack of necessary charging, fueling, or storage facilities or funding to procure charging, fueling, or storage facilities; or

(iii) the inability of a third party to enter into a contractual or commercial relationship with the Authority that is necessary to carry out the purposes of this Section.

Section 4.26. City-Suburban Mobility Innovations Program.

(a) The Authority may establish a City-Suburban Mobility Innovations Program and deposit moneys into a City-Suburban Mobility Innovations Fund. Amounts on deposit in the Fund and interest and other earnings on those amounts may be used by the Authority with the approval of the Board and, after a competitive application and scoring process that includes an opportunity for public participation, for operating or capital grants or loans to transportation agencies or units of local government for the following purposes:

(1) providing transit services, other than traditional fixed-route services, that enhance local mobility, including, but not limited to, demand-responsive transit services, ridesharing, van pooling, micromobility and mobility hubs, and first-mile and last-mile services;

(2) enhancing safe access to fixed-route transit services for bicyclists and pedestrians through improvements to sidewalk and path networks, bicycle lanes, crosswalks, lighting, and other improvements;

(3) offering workforce development and training that provides a pathway for careers in public transportation in the metropolitan region; and

(4) testing new technologies, features, and enhancements to the transit system to determine their value and readiness for broader adoption.

(b) The Authority shall develop and publish scoring criteria that it will use in making awards from the City-Suburban Mobility Innovations Fund.

(c) Any grantee that receives funds under this Section must (i) implement such programs within one year of receipt of such funds and (ii) within 2 years following commencement of any program using such funds, determine whether it is desirable to continue the program, and upon such a determination, either incorporate such program into its annual operating budget and capital program or discontinue such program. No additional funds under this Section may be distributed to a grantee for any individual program beyond 2 years unless the Board waives this limitation. Any such waiver will be with regard to an individual program and with regard to a one-year period, and any further waivers for such individual program require a subsequent vote of the Board.

(d) The Authority may reallocate unused funds deposited into the City-Suburban Mobility Innovations Fund to other Authority purposes and programs.

Section 4.27. Transit-Supportive Development Incentive Program.

(a) As used in this Section, "transit-supportive development" means commercial or residential development that is designed to expand the public transportation ridership base or to effectively connect transit users to such developments. "Transit-supportive development" includes, but is not limited to, laws and policies that further these objectives, capital improvements that foster communities with high per capita transit ridership, and transit operation improvements that support efforts to build communities with high per capita transit ridership.

(b) The Authority may establish a Transit-Supportive Development Incentive Program and authorize the deposit of Authority moneys into a Transit-Supportive Development Incentive Fund. Amounts on deposit in the fund and interest and other earnings on those amounts may be used by the Authority, with the approval of its Directors and after a competitive application and scoring process that includes an opportunity for public participation, for operating or capital grants or loans to Service Boards, transportation agencies, or units of local government for the following purposes:

(1) investment in transit-supportive residential and commercial development, including developments on or in the vicinity of property owned by the Authority, an Operating Division, or a transportation agency;

(2) grants to local governments to help cover the cost of drafting and implementing land use, parking, and other laws that are intended to encourage and will reasonably have the effect of allowing or supporting transit-supportive residential and commercial development; and

(3) providing resources for increased public transportation service in and around transit-supportive residential and commercial developments, especially newly created transit-supportive developments.

(c) The Authority shall develop and publish scoring criteria that it will use in making awards from the Transit-Supportive Development Incentive Fund. Such scoring criteria shall prioritize high-density development in and in the near vicinity of public transportation stations and routes and shall prioritize projects that (i) are likely to increase per capita public transportation ridership, (ii) serve disadvantaged and transit populations, and (iii) are located in jurisdictions that have land use and other policies that encourage the level of residential density and concentration of businesses in walkable districts accessible by public transportation required to support financially viable public transportation service with substantial ridership.

(d) Any grantee that receives funds under this Section must (i) implement such programs within one year of receipt of such funds and (ii) within 2 years following commencement of any program utilizing such funds, determine whether it has resulted in increased use of public transit by those residing in the area covered by the program or those accessing the area from outside the area. No additional funds under this Section may be distributed to a grantee for any individual program beyond 2 years unless the Board of the Authority waives this limitation. Any such waiver will be with regard to an individual program and with regard to a one-year period, and any further waivers for such individual program require a subsequent vote of the Board.

(e) The Authority may reallocate unused funds deposited into the Transit-Supportive Development Incentive Fund to other Authority purposes and programs.

Section 4.28. Coordination with planning agencies. The Authority shall cooperate with the various public agencies charged with the responsibility for long-range or comprehensive planning for the metropolitan region. The Authority shall use the forecasts and plans of the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning in developing the Strategic Plan, Five-Year Capital Program, and Service Standards. The Authority shall, prior to the adoption of a Strategic Plan or Five-Year Capital Program, submit its proposals to such agencies for review and comment. The Authority may make use of existing studies, surveys, plans, data, and other materials in the possession of a State agency or department, a planning agency, or a unit of local government.

Section 4.29. Planning activities.

(a) The Authority may adopt subregional or corridor plans for specific geographic areas of the metropolitan region in order to improve the adequacy, efficiency, equity, and coordination of existing, or the delivery of new, public transportation. Such plans may also address areas outside the metropolitan region that may impact public transportation use in the metropolitan region.

(b) In preparing a subregional or corridor plan, the Authority may examine travel markets, demographic shifts, changes in passenger behavior, preferences, or attitudes, and other pertinent factors to identify changes in operating practices or capital investment in the subregion or corridor that could increase ridership, reduce costs, improve coordination, or enhance transit-oriented development.

(c) The Authority shall have principal responsibility for initiating any alternatives analysis and preliminary environmental assessment required by federal or State law for any new public transportation service or facility in the metropolitan region in addition to conducting public and stakeholder engagement activities to inform planning decisions.

Section 4.30. Protection against crime; transit ambassador program.

(a) The Authority shall cooperate with the various State, municipal, county, and transportation agency police forces in the metropolitan region for the protection of employees and consumers of public transportation services and public transportation facilities against crime.

(b) The Authority may provide by ordinance for an Authority police force to aid, coordinate, and supplement other police forces in protecting persons and property and reducing the threats of crime with regard to public transportation. Such police shall have the same powers with regard to the protection of persons and property as those exercised by police of municipalities and may include members of other police forces in the metropolitan region.

(c) The Authority shall establish minimum standards for selection and training of members of a police force employed by the Authority. Training shall be accomplished at schools certified by the Illinois Law Enforcement Training Standards Board established pursuant to the Illinois Police Training Act. Such training is subject to the rules and standards adopted pursuant to Section 7 of that Act. The Authority may participate in any training program conducted under that Act.

(d) The Authority may provide for the coordination or consolidation of security services and police forces maintained with regard to public transportation services and facilities by various transportation agencies and may contract with any municipality or county in the metropolitan region to provide protection of persons or property with regard to public transportation. Employees of the Authority or of any transportation agency affected by any action of the Authority under this Section are covered under the protections set forth in Section 4.15.

(e) The Authority shall implement a transit ambassador program following industry best practices to improve safety and customer service in the public transportation system.

(f) The Authority shall evaluate the efficacy of policing and transit ambassador programs on a regular basis, no less than every 5 years in conjunction with its adoption of its Strategic Plan, and make appropriate adjustments to such programs.

(g) The Authority may perform fare inspections and issue fare violation tickets using personnel other than law enforcement, including transit ambassadors.

(h) Neither the Authority nor any of their Directors, officers, or employees may be held liable for failure to provide a security or police force or, if a security or police force is provided, for failure to provide adequate police protection or security, failure to prevent the commission of crimes by fellow passengers or other third persons, or for the failure to apprehend criminals.

Section 4.31. Traffic law enforcement.

(a) The Authority may cooperate with local governments and law enforcement agencies in the metropolitan region on the enforcement of laws designed to protect the quality and safety of public transportation operations, such as laws prohibiting unauthorized vehicles from blocking bus stops, bus lanes, or other facilities dedicated for use by transit vehicles and transit users.

(b) Local governments and law enforcement agencies in the metropolitan region are authorized to accept photographic, video, or other records derived from cameras and other sensors on public transportation vehicles and facilities as prima facie evidence of a violation of laws that protect the quality and safety of public transportation operations.

(c) The Authority may establish by rule an enforcement program that covers jurisdictions in the metropolitan region that lack laws that protect the quality and safety of public transportation operations or that, in the Authority's sole discretion, fail to adequately enforce such laws.

(d) An enforcement program established under this Section shall contain the following elements:

(1) clear definitions of what constitutes a violation, such as specifying the number of feet around bus stops where unauthorized vehicles are prohibited from parking;

(2) publication on the Authority's website of descriptions and locations of public transportation facilities that are subject to the Authority's enforcement program and other pertinent information about the enforcement program;

(3) a description of the types of evidence, such as bus camera photos or video, which are sufficient to make a prima facie case that a vehicle or person has violated an Authority enforcement rule;

(4) provision of adequate notice of an alleged violation to the registered owner of the vehicle, such as notice by first-class mail;

(5) an administrative adjudication process that gives registered vehicle owners an opportunity to be heard by a neutral party appointed by the Authority;

(6) a process through which vehicle lessors may transfer responsibility for a violation to lessees of their vehicles;

(7) use of Internet tools, such as remote hearings and allowance of online submission of documents contesting an alleged violation, to provide alleged violators an adequate opportunity to contest their alleged violation; and

(8) violation fees that are no higher than the highest administrative fees imposed for similar violations by other public agencies in the metropolitan region.

(e) The Authority shall:

(1) cooperate with local governments and law enforcement agencies to help improve their enforcement of their laws that are designed to improve the quality and safety of public transportation operations; and

(2) inform and consult with local governments and law enforcement agencies in jurisdictions in which the Authority is establishing and operating an enforcement program under subsections (c) and (d).

(f) In its enforcement programs, if any, under subsection (c) and through its cooperation with local governments and law enforcement agencies on their enforcement programs, the Authority shall strive for as much standardization as feasible throughout the metropolitan region in enforcement programs designed to improve the quality and safety of public transportation operations.

Section 4.32. Suspension of riding privileges and confiscation of fare media.

(a) As used in this Section, "demographic information" includes, but is not limited to, age, race, ethnicity, gender, and housing status, as that term is defined under Section 10 of the Bill of Rights for the Homeless Act.

(b) Suspension of riding privileges and confiscation of fare media are limited to:

(1) violations where the person's conduct places public transportation employees or passengers in reasonable apprehension of a threat to their safety or the safety of others, including assault and battery, as those terms are used in Sections 12-1 and 12-3 of the Criminal Code of 2012;

(2) violations where the person's conduct places public transportation employees or passengers in reasonable apprehension of a threat of a criminal sexual assault, as that term is used under Section 11-1.20 of the Criminal Code of 2012; and

(3) violations involving an act of public indecency, as that term is used in Section 11-30 of the Criminal Code of 2012.

(c) Written notice shall be provided to an individual regarding the suspension of the individual's riding privileges or confiscation of fare media. The notice shall be provided in person at the time of the alleged violation, except that, if providing notice in person at the time of the alleged violation is not practicable, then the Authority shall make a reasonable effort to provide notice to the individual by personal service, by mailing a copy of the notice by certified mail, return receipt requested, by first-class mail to the person's current address, or by emailing a copy of the notice to an email address on file, if available. If the person is known to be detained in jail, service shall be made as provided under Section 2-203.2 of the Code of Civil Procedure. The written notice shall be sufficient to inform the individual about the following:

(1) the nature of the suspension of riding privileges or confiscation of fare media;

(2) the person's rights and available remedies to contest or appeal the suspension of riding privileges or confiscation of fare media and to apply for reinstatement of riding privileges; and

(3) the procedures for adjudicating whether a suspension or confiscation is warranted and for applying for reinstatement of riding privileges, including the time and location of any hearing.

(d) The process to determine whether a suspension or riding privileges or confiscation of fare media is warranted and the length of the suspension shall be concluded within 30 business days after the individual receives notice of the suspension or confiscation.

(e) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section, a person may not be denied the ability to contest or appeal a suspension of riding privileges or confiscation of fare media or to attend an in-person or virtual hearing to determine whether a suspension or confiscation was warranted because the person was detained in a jail.

(f) The Authority shall create an administrative suspension hearing process as follows:

(1) the Authority shall designate an official to oversee the administrative process to decide whether a suspension is warranted and the length of the suspension;

(2) the accused and related parties, including legal counsel, may attend this hearing in person, by telephone, or virtually;

(3) the Authority shall present the suspension-related evidence and outline the evidence that supports the need for the suspension;

(4) the accused or the accused's legal counsel may present and make an oral or written presentation and offer documents, including affidavits, in response to the Authority's evidence;

(5) the Authority's designated official shall make a finding on the suspension;

(6) the value of unexpended credit or unexpired passes shall be reimbursed upon suspension of riding privileges or confiscation of fare media;

(7) the alleged victims of the violation and related parties, including witnesses who were present, may attend this hearing in person, by telephone, or virtually; and

(8) the alleged victims of the violation and related parties, including witnesses who were present, may present and make an oral or written presentation and offer documents, including affidavits, in response to the Authority's evidence.

(g) The Authority shall create a process to appeal and reinstate ridership privileges. This information shall be provided to the suspended rider at the time of the Authority's findings. A suspended rider is entitled to an appeal after the Authority's finding to suspend the person's ridership. A suspended rider may petition the Authority to reinstate the person's ridership privileges one calendar year after the Authority's suspension finding if the length of the suspension is more than one year.

(h) The Authority shall collect, report, and make publicly available quarterly the number and demographic information of people subject to suspension of riding privileges or confiscation of fare media; the conduct leading to the suspension or confiscation; and the location and description of the location where the conduct occurred, such as identifying the transit station or transit line, the date, and the time of day of the conduct, a citation to the statutory authority for which the accused person was arrested or charged, the amount, if any, on the fare media, and the length of the suspension.

Section 4.33. Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Transportation Assistance Program.

(a) The Authority shall continue the Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Regional Transit Authority Public Transportation Assistance Program established by the Regional Transportation Authority Act (repealed) to serve residents of the metropolitan region. Through this Program, the Authority shall issue monetarily preloaded mass transit cards to The Network: Advocating Against Domestic Violence for survivor and victim use of public transportation in the metropolitan region.

(b) The Authority shall coordinate with The Network: Advocating Against Domestic Violence to issue no less than 25,000 monetarily preloaded mass transit cards with a value of $20 per card for distribution to domestic violence and sexual assault service providers throughout the Authority's jurisdiction.

(c) The mass transit card shall be plastic or laminated and wallet-sized, contain no information that would reference domestic violence or sexual assault services, and have no expiration date. The cards shall also be available electronically and shall be distributed to domestic violence and sexual assault direct service providers to distribute to survivors.

(d) The creation of the Program shall include an appointment of a domestic violence or sexual assault program service provider or a representative of the service provider's choosing to the Authority's Citizen Advisory Board.

(e) The Network: Advocating Against Domestic Violence shall provide an annual report of the program, including a list of service providers receiving the mass transit cards, the total number of cards received by each service provider, and an estimated number of survivors and victims of domestic violence and sexual assault participating in the program. The report shall also include survivor testimonies of the program and shall include recommendations on improving implementation of the Program. The first report shall be provided to the Authority one calendar year after the creation of the Program.

(f) In partnership with The Network: Advocating Against Domestic Violence, the Authority shall report this information to the Board and the Citizen Advisory Board and compile an annual report of the Program to the General Assembly and to domestic violence and sexual assault service providers in the service providers' jurisdiction and include recommendations for improving implementation of the Program.

Section 4.34. Safety.

(a) The Authority shall establish, enforce, and facilitate achievement and maintenance of standards of safety with respect to public transportation provided by the Authority or by transportation agencies pursuant to purchase of service or grant agreements.

(b) In recognition of the fact that travel by public transportation is significantly safer than travel by other means of surface transportation, the Authority shall work cooperatively with the Department of Transportation, the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority, the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning, and other units of government to assist them in using investments in public transportation facilities and operations as a tool to help the Department and units of local government meet their roadway crash, fatality, and serious injury reduction goals. To the maximum extent allowed by law, the Authority is eligible to receive funding and other assistance from local, state, and federal sources so the Authority can assist in using improved and expanded public transportation in the metropolitan region to improve safety in the surface transportation sector.

(c) The security portion of the system safety program, investigation reports, surveys, schedules, lists, or data compiled, collected, or prepared by or for the Authority under this subsection is exempt from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act, shall not be subject to discovery or admitted into evidence in federal or State court, or shall not be considered for other purposes in any civil action for damages arising from any matter mentioned or addressed in such reports, surveys, schedules, lists, data, or information.

(d) Neither the Authority nor its directors, officers, or employees may not be held liable in any civil action for any injury to any person or property for any acts or omissions or failure to act under this Section or pursuant to 49 CFR Part 659.

(e) Nothing in this Section alleviates an individual's duty to comply with the State Officials and Employees Ethics Act.

Section 4.35. Competition. It is the policy of this State that all powers granted, either expressly or by necessary implication, by this Act or any other Illinois statute to the Authority may be exercised by the Authority notwithstanding effects on competition. It is the intention of the General Assembly that the state action exemption to the application of federal antitrust statutes be fully available to the Authority to the extent its activities are authorized by law as stated herein.

Section 4.36. Prompt payment. Purchases made pursuant to this Act shall be made in compliance with the Local Government Prompt Payment Act.

Article V. ACCOUNTABILITY

Section 5.01. Director selection process. The following requirements apply to the appointing authorities for Directors of the Board and members of the Citizens Advisory Board:

(1) Those responsible for appointing Directors shall strive to assemble a set of Board members that, to the greatest extent possible, reflects the ethnic, cultural, economic, and geographic diversity of the metropolitan region.

(2) The Authority shall implement the following process to provide public input into the Director selection process and bring qualified Board member candidates to the attention of the appointing authorities:

(A) At least 90 days before the expiration of the term of a Director, or upon notice of the resignation, death, or removal of a Director, the Authority shall issue and publicize a request for applications and nominations to fill that Director position. The request shall provide at least 30 days for submission of applications and nominations.

(B) As soon as practical after the closure of the period for applications and nominations, the Authority shall publicly post the names and a summary of the background and qualifications of at least 2 individuals that the appointing authority believes are qualified to fill the Director position. Such individuals may but need not be from among those people who applied for or were nominated to fill the Director position pursuant to subparagraph (A). The posting shall give the public instructions for how they may comment on those individuals identified by the appointing authority and give them at least 21 days to submit such comments.

(C) After considering comments submitted under subparagraph (B), the appointing authority may proceed with the appointment process as long as the appointing authority appoints as a Director a person who was first identified under subparagraph (B), or the appointing authority may cause the Authority, pursuant to subparagraph (B), to post a new set of individuals who are qualified to fill the Director position and follow the process required by subparagraphs (B) and (C) until the new Director is appointed and qualified.

(D) The Authority shall commence the process set forth in this paragraph (2) sufficiently in advance of the date of the anticipated vacancy on the Board to minimize the duration of such vacancy.

Section 5.02. System usage requirements.

(a) Each calendar quarter, the Authority shall collect and publish the number of trips taken by each Director by public transportation in the metropolitan region.

(b) The Board may adopt rules governing system usage by Directors consistent with the intention of this Act that the Directors overseeing the public transportation system of the metropolitan region should have substantial ridership experience on that system.

(c) The Board may adopt public transportation system usage requirements for the executives and staff of the Authority that are no less demanding than public transportation system ridership requirements applicable to Directors. System ridership requirements may be included in performance-based compensation systems established under Section 5.04.

(d) The Authority may incorporate public transportation system usage requirements into its agreements with transportation agencies and goods and services providers.

(e) The Authority shall put in place reasonable mechanisms to ensure against efforts to evade public transportation system ridership requirements imposed under this Section.

Section 5.03. Director attendance requirement.

(a) The Board shall adopt rules regarding the required frequency of Director attendance at Board meetings.

(b) The failure of a Director to meet the Director attendance requirement shall constitute sufficient grounds for removal of that Director from the Board under subsection (a) of Section 2.08.

Section 5.04. Employment agreements; performance-based compensation.

(a) By no later than one year after the effective date of this Act, after consideration of best practices for executive compensation, the Authority shall enter into written employment agreements with at least the 5 most senior staff executives or officers of the Authority.

(b) The Authority may implement a performance-based compensation system. A performance-based compensation system established under this subsection must tie a significant portion of senior executive compensation to the achievement or nonachievement of performance standards that relate to the quality of public transit services delivered to the public.

(c) Each senior executive participating in a performance-based compensation system must enter into an employment agreement with the Authority that describes the performance-based compensation system and contains the other terms and conditions of employment.

(d) If it implements a performance-based compensation system, the Board shall annually review and approve performance incentive compensation adjustments, positive or negative, for senior executives of the Authority under the performance-based compensation system.

(e) Subject to any applicable collective bargaining agreement, the Authority may extend the performance-based compensation system to include more staff positions at the Authority.

(f) The Authority may incorporate performance-based compensation system requirements into its agreements with transportation agencies and goods and services providers.

Section 5.05. Revolving door prohibition. A Director, Citizen Advisory Board member, former Director, or former Citizen Advisory Board member shall, during the Director's or member's, or former Director's or former member's, term, and for a period of one year immediately after the end of the Director's or member's, or former Director's or former member's, term, engage in business dealings with, knowingly accept employment from, or receive compensation or fees for services from the Authority. This prohibition does not apply to any business dealings engaged in by the Director or member in the course of the Director's or member's official duties or responsibilities as a Director or member.

Section 5.06. Public plans. The Authority shall implement its responsibilities in 5 public documents adopted by its Directors: a Strategic Plan; a Five-Year Capital Program; an Annual Capital Improvement Plan; an Annual Budget and Two-Year Financial Plan; and Service Standards.

Section 5.07. Strategic Plan.

(a) The Authority shall adopt a Strategic Plan, no less than every 5 years, after holding a minimum of one public hearing in each of the counties in the metropolitan region.

(b) To the maximum extent feasible, the Authority shall adopt its Strategic Plan on a similar schedule as the regional comprehensive plan adopted by the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning.

(c) In developing the Strategic Plan, the Authority shall rely on such demographic and other data, forecasts, and assumptions developed by the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning with respect to the patterns of population density and growth, projected commercial and residential development, and environmental factors within the metropolitan region and in areas outside the metropolitan region that may impact public transportation use in the metropolitan region.

(d) The Authority shall also consult with the Department of Transportation's Office of Planning and Programming, the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority, and municipal and county departments of transportation when developing the Strategic Plan.

(e) Before adopting or amending a Strategic Plan, the Authority shall consult with the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning regarding the consistency of the Strategic Plan with the Regional Comprehensive Plan adopted pursuant to the Regional Planning Act.

(f) The Authority may use staff of the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning for planning-related purposes on terms and conditions acceptable to the Authority and the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning.

(g) The Strategic Plan shall describe the specific actions to be taken by the Authority to provide adequate, efficient, equitable, and coordinated public transportation.

(h) The Strategic Plan shall identify goals and objectives with respect to:

(1) increasing ridership and passenger miles on public transportation funded by the Authority;

(2) coordination of public transportation services and the investment in public transportation facilities to enhance the integration of public transportation throughout the metropolitan region;

(3) coordination of fare and transfer policies to promote transfers by riders among public transportation modes;

(4) improvements in public transportation facilities to bring those facilities into a state of good repair, enhancements that attract ridership and improve customer service, and expansions needed to serve areas with sufficient demand for public transportation;

(5) access for transit-dependent populations, including access by low-income communities to places of employment, using analyses provided by the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning regarding employment and transportation availability and considering the location of employment centers in each county and the availability of public transportation at off-peak hours and on weekends;

(6) the financial viability of the public transportation system, including both operating and capital programs;

(7) improving roadway operations within the metropolitan region and enhancing transit options to improve mobility;

(8) land use policies, practices, and incentives that will make more effective use of public transportation services and facilities as community assets and encourage the siting of businesses, homes, and public facilities near public transportation services and facilities to provide convenient and affordable travel for residents, customers, and employees in the metropolitan region;

(9) policies, practices, and incentives that will better integrate public transportation with other active modes of transportation; and

(10) other goals and objectives that advance the policy of the State to provide adequate, efficient, equitable and coordinated public transportation in the metropolitan region.

(i) The Strategic Plan shall establish the process and criteria by which proposals for capital improvements by the Authority or a transportation agency shall be evaluated by the Authority for inclusion in the Five-Year Capital Program, which shall be in accordance with the prioritization process set forth in Section 5.08, and may include criteria for:

(1) allocating funds among maintenance, enhancement, and expansion improvements;

(2) projects to be funded from the City-Suburban Mobility Innovations Fund;

(3) projects intended to improve or enhance ridership or customer service;

(4) design and location of station or transit improvements intended to promote transfers, increase ridership, and support transit-oriented land development;

(5) assessing the impact of projects on the ability to operate and maintain the existing transit system; and

(6) other criteria that advance the goals and objectives of the Strategic Plan.

(j) The Strategic Plan shall identify innovations to improve the delivery of public transportation and the construction of public transportation facilities, including new vehicle technologies, operational practices, financial arrangements, and other innovations that may benefit the metropolitan region.

(k) The Strategic Plan shall extend on the plans adopted pursuant to Sections 5.09, 5.10, 5.11, and 5.12 and describe the expected financial condition of public transportation in the metropolitan region prospectively over a 10-year period, which may include information about the cash position and all known obligations of the Authority, including operating expenditures, debt service, contributions for payment of pension and other post-employment benefits, the expected revenues from fares, tax receipts, grants from the federal, State, and local governments for operating and capital purposes and issuance of debt, the availability of working capital, and the additional resources, if any, needed to achieve the goals and objectives described in the Strategic Plan. The Strategic Plan shall outline the Authority's plan for dealing with any projected shortfall in financial resources necessary to keep public transportation facilities in a state of good repair and to deliver public transportation services that meet Service Standards adopted pursuant to Section 5.11.

(l) The Executive Director of the Authority shall review the Strategic Plan on an ongoing basis and make recommendations to the Board with respect to any update or amendment of the Strategic Plan.

Section 5.08. Prioritization process for transit capital projects.

(a) The Authority shall develop a transparent prioritization process for metropolitan region transit capital projects to identify projects that will most effectively achieve the goals of the Strategic Plan and improve the quality of public transportation services contemplated by the Service Standards.

(b) The Authority shall use the prioritization process when developing its Five-Year Capital Program pursuant to Section 5.09 and for its other capital planning processes.

(c) The prioritization process must consider, at a minimum:

(1) increasing access to key destinations such as jobs, retail, healthcare, and recreation;

(2) reliability improvement;

(3) capacity needs;

(4) safety:

(5) state of good repair;

(6) racial equity and mobility justice;

(7) environmental protection;

(8) the Service Standards; and

(9) economic development.

(d) All capital funding awards shall be made by the Authority in accordance with the prioritization process. An appropriate public input process shall be established. The Authority shall make a report to the General Assembly each year describing the prioritization process and its use in funding awards.

(e) A summary of the project evaluation process, measures, program, and scores or prioritization criteria for all candidate projects shall be published on the Authority's website in a timely manner.

(f) No project shall be included in the Five-Year Capital Program, or amendments to that Program, without being evaluated under the selection process described in this Section.

Section 5.09. Five-Year Capital Program.

(a) The Authority, after holding a minimum of one public hearing in each of the counties in the metropolitan region, shall each year adopt a Five-Year Capital Program that shall include each capital improvement to be undertaken by the Authority or on behalf of the Authority by a transportation agency.

(b) The Authority shall prepare and publish its preliminary Five-Year Capital Program by October 15 of each year based on any criteria for capital improvements contained in the Strategic Plan, the capital project prioritization process established in Section 5.08, the Service Standards, the transit asset management plans required by 49 CFR 625.25, and other criteria determined by the Authority so long as the improvements are not inconsistent with any subregional or corridor plan adopted by the Authority and can be funded within amounts available with respect to the capital and operating costs of such improvement.

(c) The Authority shall give priority to improvements that are intended to bring public transportation facilities into a state of good repair.

(d) Before adopting a Five-Year Capital Program, the Authority shall consult with the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning regarding the consistency of the Five-Year Capital Program with the Regional Comprehensive Plan adopted pursuant to the Regional Planning Act.

(e) The Authority shall adopt a final Five-Year Capital Program prior to the beginning of the next fiscal year.

Section 5.10. Annual Capital Improvement Plan.

(a) Each year, the Authority shall prepare as part of its Five-Year Capital Program an Annual Capital Improvement Plan, which shall include the following information:

(1) a list of projects for which approval is sought from the Governor, with a description of each project stating at a minimum the project cost, its category, its location, and the entity responsible for its implementation;

(2) a certification by the Authority that the Authority applied for all grants, loans, and other moneys made available by the federal government or the State of Illinois during the preceding federal and State fiscal years for financing its capital development activities;

(3) a certification that, as of September 30 of the preceding calendar year or any later date, the balance of all federal capital grant funds and all other funds to be used as matching funds therefore which were committed to or possessed by the Authority but which had not been obligated was less than $500,000,000, or a greater amount as authorized in writing by the Governor. As used in this paragraph, "obligated" means committed to be paid by the Authority under a contract with a nongovernmental entity in connection with the performance of a project or committed under a force account plan approved by the federal government;

(4) a certification that the Authority has adopted a balanced budget with respect to such calendar year under Section 5.12;

(5) a schedule of all bonds or notes previously issued for Strategic Capital Improvement Projects and all debt service payments to be made with respect to all such bonds and the estimated additional debt service payments through June 30 of the following calendar year expected to result from bonds to be sold prior thereto;

(6) a long-range summary of the Strategic Capital Improvement Program describing the projects to be funded through the Program with respect to project cost, category, location, and implementing entity, and presenting a financial plan, including an estimated time schedule for obligating funds for the performance of approved projects, issuing bonds, expending bond proceeds, and paying debt service throughout the duration of the Program; and

(7) the source of funding for each project in the Plan. For any project for which full funding has not yet been secured and that is not subject to a federal full funding contract, the Authority must identify alternative, dedicated funding sources available to complete the project. The Governor may waive this requirement on a project-by-project basis.

(b) The Authority shall submit the Plan, with respect to any calendar year, to the Governor on or before January 15 of that year or as soon as possible thereafter. Any revision in the projects approved shall require the Governor's approval.

(c) The Authority shall seek approval from the Governor only through the Plan or an amendment to the Plan. The Authority shall not request approval of the Plan from the Governor in any calendar year in which it is unable to make the certifications required under paragraphs (2), (3), and (4) of subsection (a). The Authority may not seek approval of the Plan from the Governor for projects in an aggregate amount exceeding the proceeds of bonds or notes for Strategic Capital Improvement Projects issued under Section 6.05.

(d) The Governor may approve the Plan for which approval is requested. The Governor's approval is limited to the amount of the project cost stated in the Plan. The Governor shall not approve the Plan in a calendar year if the Authority is unable to make the certifications required under paragraphs (2), (3), and (4) of subsection (a). The Governor may not approve the Plan for projects in an aggregate amount exceeding the proceeds of bonds or notes for Strategic Capital Improvement Projects issued under Section 6.05.

(e) With respect to capital improvements, only those capital improvements which are in a Plan approved by the Governor shall be financed with the proceeds of bonds or notes issued for Strategic Capital Improvement Projects.

(f) Before the Authority obligates any funds for a project for which the Authority intends to use the proceeds of bonds or notes for Strategic Capital Improvement Projects, but which project is not included in an approved Plan, the Authority must notify the Governor of the intended obligation. Project costs incurred prior to approval of the Plan, including that project, may not be paid from the proceeds of bonds or notes for Strategic Capital Improvement Projects issued under Section 6.05.

Section 5.11. Service Standards.

(a) The Authority shall adopt Service Standards in conjunction with its Strategic Plan and Five-Year Capital Program.

(b) The Service Standards shall identify quantitative and qualitative attributes of quality public transit service using metrics drawn from the performance of high-quality transit systems in global metropolitan areas with comparable populations and metropolitan economies as the metropolitan region.

(c) The Service Standards shall include a framework that describes the appropriate characteristics for each type of service or mode. These characteristics include, but are not limited to, mode, frequency, time span, vehicle type, stop spacing, vehicle and stop amenities, network connectivity, route directness, route deviation, and coverage of service.

(d) The Service Standards shall include the transition of commuter rail in the metropolitan region to a regional rail service pattern or the retention of commuter rail with additional regional rail service.

(e) The Service Standards shall cover the entire metropolitan region and include the development of transit propensity thresholds for each type of service or mode. Transit propensity metrics shall include, but are not limited to, population density, employment density, low-income populations, disabled populations, zero-car households, intersection density, and the presence of sidewalks. Weights should be developed for each metric and a scoring system developed to determine transit propensity. The production of a transit propensity assessment shall be conducted for any proposed new or modified services and constrained to a service or route estimated catchment area. Final determination of the eligibility of each type of service or mode for an area is subject to qualitative review by the Authority once the propensity assessment is completed, reviewed, and evaluated.

(f) A local government or group of local governments may petition the Authority to increase the level of transit service provided above what would otherwise be provided through the Service Standards. If a local government or group of local governments demonstrates that the local government or group of local governments have created a transit support overlay district under the Transit-Supportive Development Act or have adopted zoning and other changes that the Authority determines has benefits to the transit system greater than or equal to a transit support overlay district, the Authority shall designate a preliminary amendment to the applicable Service Standards for that area commensurate with the expected increase in transit propensity. The Authority shall determine the incremental cost of providing the service and present it to the local government or group of local governments. Upon execution of an agreement for the local government or group of local governments to provide funding for 12 months to the Authority equal to the incremental cost of providing the additional service, the Authority shall finalize the Service Standards amendment, and the Authority shall budget for and provide the increased service. For service to be provided within or substantially within Qualified Census Tracts as identified by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Office of Transit-Oriented Development shall provide a 50% cost share to the Authority for the increased transit service associated with the Service Standards amendment. The Authority may develop plans to assist local governments in identifying corridors where additional service could be provided through the mechanism described in this subsection.

(g) The Service Standards shall be adjusted as appropriate to accommodate the addition of modes of public transportation not currently being provided by the Authority, which may include, but is not limited to: streetcar; light rail; full-scale bus rapid transit; a transition from commuter rail to regional rail or a combination of commuter and regional rail; and electrified versions of current combustion engine vehicle systems.

(h) The Service Standards shall be used to update or otherwise inform the provision of the Authority's Title VI and environmental justice policies.

(i) The Board shall review and make any necessary adjustments to the Service Standards at least once every 5 years in conjunction with its adoption of the Authority's Strategic Plan.

(j) The Authority shall compile and publish reports comparing the actual public transportation system performance measured against the Service Standards. Such performance measures shall include customer-related performance data measured by line, route, or subregion, as determined by the Authority, on at least the following:

(1) travel times and on-time performance;

(2) ridership data;

(3) equipment failure rates;

(4) employee and customer safety;

(5) crowding;

(6) cleanliness of vehicles and stations;

(7) service productivity; and

(8) customer satisfaction.

(k) Transportation agencies that receive funding from the Authority shall prepare and submit to the Authority such reports with regard to these performance measures in the frequency and form required by the Authority. The Authority shall compile and publish such reports on its website on a regular basis, no less than monthly.

(l) The Service Standards and performance measures shall not be used as the basis for disciplinary action against any employee of the Authority, except to the extent the employment and disciplinary practices of the Authority provide for such action.

Section 5.12. Annual Budget and Two-Year Financial Plan.

(a) The Board shall control the finances of the Authority. It shall (i) appropriate money to perform the Authority's purposes and provide for payment of debts and expenses of the Authority and (ii) adopt an Annual Budget and Two-Year Financial Plan for the Authority.

(b) The Annual Budget and Two-Year Financial Plan shall contain a statement of the funds estimated to be on hand for the Authority at the beginning of the fiscal year, the funds estimated to be received from all sources for such year, the estimated expenses and obligations of the Authority for all purposes, including expenses for contributions to be made with respect to pension and other employee benefits, and the funds estimated to be on hand at the end of such year.

(c) The fiscal year of the Authority shall begin on January 1 and end on the succeeding December 31. By July 1 of each year, the Director of the Governor's Office of Management and Budget shall submit to the Authority an estimate of revenues for the next fiscal year of the Authority to be collected from the taxes imposed by the Authority and the amounts to be available in the Public Transportation Fund and the Metropolitan Mobility Authority Occupation and Use Tax Replacement Fund and the amounts otherwise to be appropriated by the State to the Authority for its purposes.

(d) Before the proposed Annual Budget and Two-Year Financial Plan is adopted, the Authority shall hold at least one public hearing on the Annual Budget and Two-Year Financial Plan in the metropolitan region and shall meet with the county board or its designee of each of the several counties in the metropolitan region. After conducting the hearings and holding the meetings and after making changes in the proposed Annual Budget and Two-Year Financial Plan as the Board deems appropriate, the Board shall adopt its annual appropriation and Annual Budget and Two-Year Financial Plan ordinance. The ordinance shall appropriate such sums of money as are deemed necessary to defray all necessary expenses and obligations of the Authority, specifying purposes and the objects or programs for which appropriations are made and the amount appropriated for each object or program. Additional appropriations, transfers between items, and other changes in such ordinance may be made from time to time by the Board.

(e) The Annual Budget and Two-Year Financial Plan shall show a balance between anticipated revenues from all sources and anticipated expenses, including funding of operating deficits or the discharge of encumbrances incurred in prior periods and payment of principal and interest when due, and shall show cash balances sufficient to pay with reasonable promptness all obligations and expenses as incurred.

(f) The Authority shall file a copy of its Annual Budget and Two-Year Financial Plan with the General Assembly and the Governor after its adoption and a statement certifying that it published the data described in subsection (g).

(g) The Authority shall publish a monthly comprehensive set of data regarding transit service and safety. The data included shall include information to track operations, including:

(1) staffing levels, including numbers of budgeted positions, current positions employed, hired staff, attrition, staff in training, and absenteeism rates;

(2) scheduled service and delivered service, including percentage of scheduled service delivered by day, service by mode of transportation, service by route and rail line, total number of revenue miles driven, excess wait times by day, by mode of transportation, by bus route, and by stop; and

(3) safety on the system, including the number of incidents of crime and code of conduct violations on the system, any performance measures used to evaluate the effectiveness of investments in private security, safety equipment, and other security investments in the system. If no performance measures exist to evaluate the effectiveness of these safety investments, the Authority shall develop and publish these performance measures.

(h) The Authority shall regularly solicit input and ideas on publishing data on the service reliability, operations, and safety of the system from the public and groups representing transit riders, workers, and businesses and make appropriate adjustments and additions to the data reported pursuant to subsection (g).

(i) All transportation agencies, comprehensive planning agencies, including the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning and transportation planning agencies in the metropolitan region, shall furnish to the Authority such information pertaining to public transportation or relevant plans therefore as it may from time to time require. The Executive Director, or the Executive Director's designee, shall, for the purpose of securing any such information necessary or appropriate to carry out any of the powers and responsibilities of the Authority under this Act, have access to, and the right to examine, all books, documents, papers, or records of any transportation agency receiving funds from the Authority, and such transportation agency shall comply with any request by the Executive Director, or the Executive Director's designee, within 30 days or an extended time provided by the Executive Director.

Section 5.13. Authority Inspector General.

(a) The Authority and the transportation agencies are subject to the jurisdiction of the Governor's Executive Inspector General.

(b) The Authority may appoint an independent Authority Inspector General to serve as the ethics officer for the Authority and to investigate on its own authority or on the basis of a complaint or referral possible waste, fraud, or abuse involving the Authority or a transportation agency. The Authority Inspector General may conduct performance reviews and audits designed to prevent waste, fraud, or abuse and to improve the operation of the Authority and transportation agencies.

(c) The Board shall provide sufficient staff and resources so the Authority Inspector General can fulfill its functions and responsibilities.

(d) All employees, agents, and contractors of the Authority and the transportation agencies shall cooperate with reviews, audits, and investigations conducted by the Authority Inspector General.

(e) The Authority Inspector General may be appointed for a term of up to 5 years or until a successor is appointed and has qualified. The Board may remove the Authority Inspector General before the expiration of the Inspector General's term only for good cause and with the concurrence of the Governor's Executive Inspector General.

(f) The appointment of an Authority Inspector General shall not in any way limit the powers of the Governor's Executive Inspector General.

Section 5.14. Executive Inspector General.

(a) Moneys may be appropriated from the Public Transportation Fund to the Governor's Office of the Executive Inspector General for the costs incurred by the Executive Inspector General while serving as the inspector general for the Authority.

(b) The Governor's Office of the Executive Inspector General shall annually report to the General Assembly the expenses incurred while serving as the inspector general for the Authority.

(c) All employees, agents, and contractors of the Authority and the transportation agencies shall cooperate with reviews, audits, and investigations conducted by the Governor's Executive Inspector General.

Section 5.15. Performance audits.

(a) The Auditor General shall conduct performance audits of the Authority and transportation agencies at least once every 5 years. The performance audits shall:

(1) focus on the quality and cost-effectiveness of the public transportation system, including comparative assessments against the performance of transit systems in comparable metropolitan regions around the world;

(2) include recommendations for improvements informed by applicable industry best practices and any legislation or other steps that governmental bodies could take to facilitate such improvements; and

(3) assess the efficacy of the public transportation system in providing affordable transportation, connecting residents to jobs, education, and other opportunities, and improving the environment.

(b) The Authority may suggest areas of emphasis for the Auditor General to consider and the Auditor General may, in its discretion, structure the audit and recommendations to help achieve the goal of a well-functioning and efficient regional public transportation system.

(c) The Auditor General and the Authority shall coordinate the timing of performance audits such that the findings will be available to the Authority at the time when it begins preparation of its Strategic Plan and Five-Year Capital Program. The Authority shall reimburse the Auditor General for the costs incurred in conducting the performance audits.

Section 5.16. Audits of transportation agencies. The Authority may conduct management, performance, financial, and infrastructure condition audits of transportation agencies that receive funds from the Authority. Transportation agencies shall cooperate fully with audits conducted pursuant to this Section and act on the findings and recommendations contained in such audits as directed by the Authority. Copies of audits shall be supplied to the Governor and the General Assembly and made available for review by the public subject to any redactions as required or permitted by applicable law.

Section 5.17. Transparency and accountability portal.

(a) As used in this Section:

"CHI-TAP" means the Greater Chicago Mass Transit Transparency and Accountability Portal.

"Contracts" means payment obligations with vendors on file to purchase goods and services exceeding $10,000 in value.

"Recipients" means the Authority or transportation agencies.

(b) The Authority shall maintain a website, known as the Greater Chicago Mass Transit Transparency and Accountability Portal, and shall be tasked with compiling and updating the CHI-TAP database with information received by the Authority.

(c) The CHI-TAP shall provide direct access to each of the following:

(1) A database of all employees of the Authority sorted separately by:

(A) name;

(B) division or department;

(C) employment position title;

(D) county of employment location;

(E) current base salary or hourly rate and year-to-date gross pay;

(F) status of position including, but not limited to, bargained-for positions, at-will positions, or not bargained-for positions;

(G) employment status, including, but not limited to, full-time permanent, full-time temporary, part-time permanent and part-time temporary; and

(H) status as a military veteran.

(2) A database of all current Authority expenditures, sorted by category.

(3) A database of all Authority contracts sorted separately by contractor name, awarding officer or agency, contract value, and goods or services provided.

(4) A database of publicly available accident-related and safety-related information currently required to be reported to the federal Secretary of Transportation under 49 U.S.C. 5335.

(d) The CHI-TAP shall include all information required to be published by subsection (c) in a format the Authority can compile and publish on the CHI-TAP. The Authority shall update the CHI-TAP at least once every 30 days as additional information becomes available.

Section 5.18. Financial statements and annual reports.

(a) Within 6 months after the end of each fiscal year, the Board shall prepare a complete and detailed report of the audit of the Authority and reviewing the state of the Authority and of the public transportation provided by transportation agencies.

(b) The report shall include evaluations of public transportation in the metropolitan region and of the Authority's activities and financial statements of the Authority's revenues and expenditures for such year and of its assets and liabilities. The financial statements must be audited by an independent certified public accountant.

(c) The report shall also set forth the financial results as reported by each transportation agency that, during such year, had a purchase of service or grant agreement with the Authority or that received financial assistance from the Authority. The results shall be set forth separately for each such transportation agency.

(d) The report shall be published on the Authority's website. A sufficient number of copies of each annual report shall be printed for distribution to anyone, upon request, and a copy of the report shall be filed with the Governor, the State Comptroller, the Speaker and Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, the President and Minority Leader of the Senate, the Mayor of the City of Chicago, the President or Chair of the county board of each county in the metropolitan region, and each transportation agency which, during such year, had a purchase of service agreement with the Authority or which received financial grants or other financial assistance from the Authority.

Section 5.19. Opt out.

(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, if the county board of the County of DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, or Will by ordinance authorizes that such county shall elect to terminate the powers of the Authority in that county, the secretary of that county board shall certify that proposition to the proper election officials, who shall submit such proposition at an election in accordance with the general election law to decide whether that county shall opt out.

(b) The form of the ballot to be used at the referendum shall be substantially as follows:

---------------------------

Shall ..... County terminate the powers of the Metropolitan YES Mobility Authority ---------------------------------

in .... County NO on ..... (date) -------------------------------------------------------------

(c) If a majority of the voters vote in favor of terminating the powers of the Authority, then all of the powers of the Authority shall terminate in that county on the date stated in the referendum, except those powers and functions that the Authority determines to be necessary to exercise with regard to:

(1) public transportation by commuter rail, and related public transportation facilities;

(2) public transportation other than by commuter rail that is required in order to comply with federal or State laws and regulations, and related public transportation facilities; and

(3) public transportation other than by commuter rail provided by the Authority pursuant to contract with the county or other governmental entity within the county, and related public transportation facilities.

(d) The termination of the powers of the Authority referred to in subsection (a) with respect to a county shall occur on approval of the referendum by the electors provided on or prior to the date of such termination specified in the referendum, and, thereafter, the county shall have:

(1) assumed the obligations of the Authority under all laws, federal or State, and all contracts with respect to public transportation or public transportation facilities in the county, which statutory or contractual obligations extend beyond the termination date in the referendum if the obligations shall not be deemed to include any indebtedness of the Authority for borrowed money;

(2) agreed to indemnify and hold harmless the Authority against any and all claims, actions, and liabilities arising out of or in connection with the termination of the Authority's powers and functions pursuant to subsection (a); and

(3) taken or caused to be taken all necessary actions and fulfilled or caused to be fulfilled all requirements under federal and State laws, rules, and regulations with respect to such termination and any related transfers of assets or liabilities of the Authority. A county may, by mutual agreement with the Authority, permit the Authority to fulfill one or more contracts that, by their terms, extend beyond the termination date provided for in the referendum, in which case the powers and functions of the Authority in that county shall survive only to the extent deemed necessary by the Authority to fulfill said contract or contracts. The satisfaction of the requirements provided for in this paragraph shall be evidenced in such manner as the Authority may require.

(e) Following an election to terminate the powers of the Authority at a referendum held under subsection (a), the county board shall notify the Authority of the results of the referendum, including the termination date in the referendum, which shall be the last day of a calendar month. Unless the termination date is extended by mutual agreement between the county and the Authority, the termination of the powers and functions of the Authority in the county shall occur at midnight on the termination date if the requirements of this Section have been met.

(f) The proceeds of taxes imposed by the Authority under Sections 6.02 and 6.03 collected after the termination date within a county in which the powers of the Authority have been terminated under this Section shall be used by the Authority to support commuter rail services attributable to that county, as determined by the Authority. Any proceeds which are in excess of that necessary to support such services shall be paid by the Authority to that county to be expended for public transportation purposes in accordance with law. If no commuter rail services under the jurisdiction of the Authority are provided in a county in which the powers of the Authority have been terminated under this Section, all proceeds of taxes imposed by the Authority in the county shall be paid by the Authority to the county to be expended for public transportation purposes in accordance with law.

Article VI. FINANCES

Section 6.01. Federal, State, and other funds.

(a) The Authority may apply for, receive, and expend grants, loans, or other funds from the State of Illinois or a department or agency thereof, from any unit of local government, or from the federal government or a department or agency thereof for use in connection with any of the powers or purposes of the Authority as set forth in this Act. The Authority shall have power to make such studies as may be necessary and to enter into contracts or agreements with the State of Illinois or any department or agency thereof, with any unit of local government, or with the federal government or a department or agency thereof concerning such grants, loans, or other funds, or any conditions relating thereto, including obligations to repay such funds. The Authority may make such covenants concerning such grants, loans, and funds as it deems proper and necessary in carrying out its responsibilities, purposes, and powers as provided in this Act.

(b) The Authority is designated the primary public body in the metropolitan region with authority to apply for and receive grants, loans, or other funds relating to public transportation programs from the State of Illinois or a department or agency thereof, or from the federal government or a department or agency thereof. A unit of local government or transportation agency may apply for and receive any such federal or state capital grants, loans or other funds. A unit of local government or transportation agency shall notify the Authority and the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning prior to making any such application and shall file a copy of the application with the Authority and Agency. Nothing in this Section shall be construed to impose any limitation on the ability of the State of Illinois or a department or agency thereof, a unit of local government or transportation agency to make a grant or to enter into an agreement or contract with the National Rail Passenger Corporation. Nor shall anything in this Section impose any limitation on the ability of any school district to apply for or receive a grant, loan, or other funds for transportation of school children.

Section 6.02. Taxes.

(a) In order to carry out any of the powers or purposes of the Authority, the Board may, by ordinance adopted by the then Directors, impose throughout the metropolitan region any or all of the taxes provided in this Section. Except as otherwise provided in this Act, taxes imposed under this Section and civil penalties imposed incident thereto shall be collected and enforced by the Department of Revenue. The Department may administer and enforce the taxes and to determine all rights for refunds for erroneous payments of the taxes.

(b) The Board may impose a public transportation tax upon all persons engaged in the metropolitan region in the business of selling retail motor fuel for operation of motor vehicles upon public highways. The tax shall be at a rate not to exceed 5% of the gross receipts from the sales of motor fuel in the course of the business. The Board may provide details of the tax. The provisions of any tax shall conform, as closely as may be practicable, to the provisions of the Non-Home Rule Municipal Retailers' Occupation Tax Act, including, without limitation, conformity to penalties with respect to the tax imposed and as to the powers of the Department of Revenue to adopt and enforcing rules and regulations relating to the administration and enforcement of the provisions of the tax imposed, except that reference in that Act to any municipality shall refer to the Authority and the tax shall be imposed only with regard to receipts from sales of motor fuel in the metropolitan region, at rates as limited by this Section.

(c) In connection with the tax imposed under subsection (b), the Board may impose a tax upon the privilege of using in the metropolitan region motor fuel for the operation of a motor vehicle upon public highways at a rate not in excess of the rate of tax imposed under subsection (b). The Board may provide details of the tax.

(d) The Board may impose a motor vehicle parking tax upon the privilege of parking motor vehicles at off-street parking facilities in the metropolitan region at which a fee is charged, may provide for reasonable classifications in and exemptions to the tax for administration and enforcement thereof and for civil penalties and refunds thereunder, and may provide criminal penalties thereunder, the maximum penalties not to exceed the maximum criminal penalties provided in the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act. The Authority may collect and enforce the tax itself or by contract with any unit of local government. The Department of Revenue shall have no responsibility for the collection and enforcement unless the Department agrees with the Authority to undertake the collection and enforcement. As used in this subsection, "parking facility" means a parking area or structure having parking spaces for more than 2 vehicles at which motor vehicles are permitted to park in return for an hourly, daily, or other periodic fee, whether publicly or privately owned, but does not include parking spaces on a public street, the use of which is regulated by parking meters.

(e) The Board may impose a Metropolitan Mobility Authority Retailers' Occupation Tax upon all persons engaged in the business of selling tangible personal property at retail in the metropolitan region. In Cook County, the tax rate shall be 1.25% of the gross receipts from sales of tangible personal property taxed at the 1% rate under the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act and 1% of the gross receipts from other taxable sales made in the course of that business. In DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, and Will counties, the tax rate shall be 0.75% of the gross receipts from all taxable sales made in the course of that business. However, the rate of tax imposed in DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, and Will counties under this Section on sales of aviation fuel shall be 0.25% unless the Authority in DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, and Will counties has an airport-related purpose and the additional 0.50% of the 0.75% tax on aviation fuel is expended for airport-related purposes. If there is no airport-related purpose to which aviation fuel tax revenue is dedicated, then aviation fuel is excluded from the additional 0.50% of the 0.75% tax. The tax imposed under this Section and all civil penalties that may be assessed as an incident thereof shall be collected and enforced by the Department of Revenue. The Department has full power to administer and enforce this Section; to collect all taxes and penalties so collected in the manner provided in this Section; and to determine all rights to credit memoranda arising on account of the erroneous payment of tax or penalty under this Section. In the administration of and compliance with this Section, the Department and persons who are subject to this Section shall have the same rights, remedies, privileges, immunities, powers, and duties, and be subject to the same conditions, restrictions, limitations, penalties, exclusions, exemptions, and definitions of terms, and employ the same modes of procedure, as are prescribed in Sections 1, 1a, 1a-1, 1c, 1d, 1e, 1f, 1i, 1j, 2 through 2-65 (in respect to all provisions therein other than the State rate of tax), 2c, 3 (except as to the disposition of taxes and penalties collected, and except that the retailer's discount is not allowed for taxes paid on aviation fuel that are subject to the revenue use requirements of 49 U.S.C. 47107(b) and 49 U.S.C. 47133), 4, 5, 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e, 5f, 5g, 5h, 5i, 5j, 5k, 5l, 6, 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13 of the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act and Section 3-7 of the Uniform Penalty and Interest Act, as fully as if those provisions were set forth in this Section.

(f) The Board and DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, and Will counties must comply with the certification requirements for airport-related purposes under Section 2-22 of the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act. This exclusion for aviation fuel only applies for so long as the revenue use requirements of 49 U.S.C. 47107(b) and 49 U.S.C. 47133 are binding on the Authority.

(g) Persons subject to any tax imposed under the authority granted in this Section may reimburse themselves for their seller's tax liability hereunder by separately stating the tax as an additional charge, which charge may be stated in combination in a single amount with State taxes that sellers are required to collect under the Use Tax Act, under any bracket schedules the Department may prescribe.

(h) Whenever the Department determines that a refund should be made under this Section to a claimant instead of issuing a credit memorandum, the Department shall notify the State Comptroller, who shall cause the warrant to be drawn for the amount specified, and to the person named, in the notification from the Department. The State Treasurer shall pay the refund out of the Metropolitan Mobility Authority Occupation and Use Tax Replacement Fund or the Local Government Aviation Trust Fund, as appropriate.

(i) If a tax is imposed under subsection (e), a tax shall also be imposed under subsections (m) and (r).

(j) For the purpose of determining whether a tax authorized under this Section is applicable, a retail sale by a producer of coal or other mineral mined in Illinois is a sale at retail at the place where the coal or other mineral mined in Illinois is extracted from the earth. This subsection does not apply to coal or other minerals when it is delivered or shipped by the seller to the purchaser at a point outside Illinois so that the sale is exempt under the United States Constitution as a sale in interstate or foreign commerce.

(k) A tax may not be imposed or collected under this Section on the sale of a motor vehicle in this State to a resident of another state if that motor vehicle will not be titled in this State.

(l) Nothing in this Section shall be construed to authorize the Authority to impose a tax upon the privilege of engaging in any business that under the United States Constitution may not be made the subject of taxation by this State.

(m) If a tax has been imposed under subsection (e), a Metropolitan Mobility Authority Service Occupation Tax shall also be imposed upon all persons engaged in the metropolitan region in the business of making sales of service who, as an incident to making the sales of service, transfer tangible personal property within the metropolitan region, either in the form of tangible personal property or in the form of real estate as an incident to a sale of service. In Cook County, the tax rate shall be: (1) 1.25% of the serviceman's cost price of food prepared for immediate consumption and transferred incident to a sale of service subject to the service occupation tax by an entity licensed under the Hospital Licensing Act, the Nursing Home Care Act, the Specialized Mental Health Rehabilitation Act of 2013, the ID/DD Community Care Act, or the MC/DD Act that is located in the metropolitan region; (2) 1.25% of the selling price of tangible personal property taxed at the 1% rate under the Service Occupation Tax Act; and (3) 1% of the selling price from other taxable sales of tangible personal property transferred. In DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, and Will counties, the rate shall be 0.75% of the selling price of all tangible personal property transferred. However, the rate of tax imposed in DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, and Will counties under this Section on sales of aviation fuel shall be 0.25% unless the Authority in DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, and Will counties has an airport-related purpose and the additional 0.50% of the 0.75% tax on aviation fuel is expended for airport-related purposes. If there is no airport-related purpose to which aviation fuel tax revenue is dedicated, then aviation fuel is excluded from the additional 0.5% of the 0.75% tax.

(n) The tax imposed under subsection (e) and all civil penalties that may be assessed as an incident thereof shall be collected and enforced by the Department of Revenue. The Department has full power to administer and enforce this subsection; to collect all taxes and penalties due hereunder; to dispose of taxes and penalties collected in the manner hereinafter provided; and to determine all rights to credit memoranda arising on account of the erroneous payment of tax or penalty hereunder. In the administration of and compliance with this subsection, the Department and persons who are subject to this subsection shall have the same rights, remedies, privileges, immunities, powers, and duties, and be subject to the same conditions, restrictions, limitations, penalties, exclusions, exemptions, and definitions of terms, and employ the same modes of procedure, as are prescribed in Sections 1a-1, 2, 2a, 3 through 3-50 (in respect to all provisions therein other than the State rate of tax), 4 (except that the reference to the State shall be to the Authority), 5, 7, 8 (except that the jurisdiction to which the tax shall be a debt to the extent indicated in that Section 8 shall be the Authority), 9 (except as to the disposition of taxes and penalties collected, and except that the returned merchandise credit for this tax may not be taken against any State tax, and except that the retailer's discount is not allowed for taxes paid on aviation fuel that are subject to the revenue use requirements of 49 U.S.C. 47107(b) and 49 U.S.C. 47133), 10, 11, 12 (except the reference therein to Section 2b of the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act), 13 (except that any reference to the State means the Authority), the first paragraph of Section 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, and 20 of the Service Occupation Tax Act and Section 3-7 of the Uniform Penalty and Interest Act, as fully as if those provisions were set forth in this Section.

(o) Persons subject to any tax imposed under this Section may reimburse themselves for their serviceman's tax liability hereunder by separately stating the tax as an additional charge, that charge may be stated in combination in a single amount with State tax that servicemen are authorized to collect under the Service Use Tax Act, under any bracket schedules the Department may prescribe.

(p) Whenever the Department determines that a refund should be made under this subsection to a claimant instead of issuing a credit memorandum, the Department shall notify the State Comptroller, who shall cause the warrant to be drawn for the amount specified, and to the person named in the notification from the Department. The State Treasurer shall pay the refund out of the Metropolitan Mobility Authority Occupation and Use Tax Replacement Fund established under subsection (cc) or the Local Government Aviation Trust Fund, as appropriate.

(q) Nothing in this Section shall be construed to authorize the Authority to impose a tax upon the privilege of engaging in any business that under the Constitution of the United States may not be made the subject of taxation by the State.

(r) If a tax has been imposed under subsection (e), a tax shall also be imposed upon the privilege of using in the metropolitan region, any item of tangible personal property that is purchased outside the metropolitan region at retail from a retailer, and that is titled or registered with an agency of this State's government. In Cook County, the tax rate shall be 1% of the selling price of the tangible personal property, as "selling price" is defined in the Use Tax Act. In DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, and Will counties, the tax rate shall be 0.75% of the selling price of the tangible personal property, as "selling price" is defined in the Use Tax Act. The tax shall be collected from persons whose Illinois address for titling or registration purposes is given as being in the metropolitan region. The tax shall be collected by the Department of Revenue for the Authority. The tax must be paid to the State, or an exemption determination must be obtained from the Department of Revenue before the title or certificate of registration for the property may be issued. The tax or proof of exemption may be transmitted to the Department by way of the State agency with which, or the State officer with whom, the tangible personal property must be titled or registered if the Department and the State agency or State officer determine that this procedure will expedite the processing of applications for title or registration.

(s) The Department has full power to administer and enforce this subsection; to collect all taxes, penalties, and interest due hereunder; to dispose of taxes, penalties, and interest collected in the manner hereinafter provided; and to determine all rights to credit memoranda or refunds arising on account of the erroneous payment of tax, penalty, or interest hereunder. In the administration of and compliance with this subsection, the Department and persons who are subject to this subsection shall have the same rights, remedies, privileges, immunities, powers, and duties, and be subject to the same conditions, restrictions, limitations, penalties, exclusions, exemptions, and definitions of terms and employ the same modes of procedure, as are prescribed in Sections 2 (except the definition of "retailer maintaining a place of business in this State"), 3 through 3-80 (except provisions pertaining to the State rate of tax, and except provisions concerning collection or refunding of the tax by retailers), 4, 11, 12, 12a, 14, 15, 19 (except the portions pertaining to claims by retailers and except the last paragraph concerning refunds), 20, 21, and 22 of the Use Tax Act, and are not inconsistent with this subsection, as fully as if those provisions were set forth herein.

(t) The Authority may impose a replacement vehicle tax of $50 on any passenger car, as defined in Section 1-157 of the Illinois Vehicle Code, purchased within the metropolitan region by or on behalf of an insurance company to replace a passenger car of an insured person in settlement of a total loss claim. The tax imposed may not become effective before the first day of the month following the passage of the ordinance imposing the tax and receipt of a certified copy of the ordinance by the Department of Revenue. The Department of Revenue shall collect the tax for the Authority in accordance with Sections 3-2002 and 3-2003 of the Illinois Vehicle Code.

(u) The Department shall immediately pay over to the State Treasurer, ex officio, as trustee, all taxes collected under this Section.

(v) As soon as possible after the first day of each month, upon certification of the Department of Revenue, the Comptroller shall order transferred, and the Treasurer shall transfer, to the STAR Bonds Revenue Fund the local sales tax increment, as defined in the Innovation Development and Economy Act, collected under this Section during the second preceding calendar month for sales within a STAR bond district.

(w) After the monthly transfer to the STAR Bonds Revenue Fund, on or before the 25th day of each calendar month, the Department shall prepare and certify to the Comptroller the disbursement of stated sums of money to the Authority. The amount to be paid to the Authority shall be the amount collected under this Section during the second preceding calendar month by the Department, less any amount determined by the Department to be necessary for the payment of refunds, and less any amounts that are transferred to the STAR Bonds Revenue Fund. Within 10 days after receipt by the Comptroller of the disbursement certification to the Authority provided for in this Section to be given to the Comptroller by the Department, the Comptroller shall cause the orders to be drawn for that amount in accordance with the directions contained in the certification.

(x) The Board may not impose any other taxes except as it may from time to time be authorized by law to impose.

(y) A certificate of registration issued by the State Department of Revenue to a retailer under the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act or under the Service Occupation Tax Act shall permit the registrant to engage in a business that is taxed under the tax imposed under subsection (b), (e), (bb), or (r) and no additional registration shall be required under the tax. A certificate issued under the Use Tax Act or the Service Use Tax Act shall be applicable with regard to any tax imposed under subsection (c).

(z) The provisions of any tax imposed under subsection (c) shall conform as closely as may be practicable to the provisions of the Use Tax Act, including, without limitation, conformity as to penalties with respect to the tax imposed and as to the powers of the Department of Revenue to adopt and enforce rules and regulations relating to the administration and enforcement of the provisions of the tax imposed. The taxes shall be imposed only on use within the metropolitan region and at rates as provided in subsection (b).

(aa) The Board, in imposing any tax as provided in subsections (b) and (c), shall, after seeking the advice of the Department of Revenue, provide means for retailers, users, or purchasers of motor fuel for purposes other than those with regard to which the taxes may be imposed as provided in those subsections to receive refunds of taxes improperly paid, which provisions may be at variance with the refund provisions as applicable under the Non-Home Rule Municipal Retailers' Occupation Tax Act. The State Department of Revenue may provide for certificates of registration for users or purchasers of motor fuel for purposes other than those with regard to which taxes may be imposed as provided in subsections (b) and (c) to facilitate the reporting and nontaxability of the exempt sales or uses.

(bb) An ordinance or resolution imposing, increasing, decreasing, or discontinuing the tax under this Section shall be adopted and a certified copy of the ordinance filed with the Department, whereupon the Department shall proceed to administer and enforce this Section as of the first day of the first month to occur not less than 60 days following such adoption and filing.

(cc) Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, the Department of Revenue shall, upon collecting any taxes as provided in this Section, pay the taxes to the State Treasurer as trustee for the Authority. The taxes shall be held in the Metropolitan Mobility Authority Occupation and Use Tax Replacement Fund, a trust fund outside the State treasury. If an airport-related purpose has been certified, taxes and penalties collected in DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, and Will counties on aviation fuel sold from the 0.50% of the 0.75% rate shall be immediately paid over by the Department to the State Treasurer, ex officio, as trustee, for deposit into the Local Government Aviation Trust Fund. The Department shall only pay moneys into the Local Government Aviation Trust Fund under this Act for so long as the revenue use requirements of 49 U.S.C. 47107(b) and 49 U.S.C. 47133 are binding on the Authority. On or before the 25th day of each calendar month, the State Department of Revenue shall prepare and certify to the Comptroller of the State of Illinois and to the Authority (i) the amount of taxes collected in each county other than Cook County in the metropolitan region, (not including, if an airport-related purpose has been certified, the taxes and penalties collected from the 0.50% of the 0.75% rate on aviation fuel that are deposited into the Local Government Aviation Trust Fund) (ii) the amount of taxes collected within the City of Chicago, and (iii) the amount collected in that portion of Cook County outside Chicago, each amount less the amount necessary for the payment of refunds to taxpayers located in those areas described in items (i), (ii), and (iii), and less 1.5% of the remainder, which shall be transferred from the trust fund into the Tax Compliance and Administration Fund. The Department, at the time of each monthly disbursement to the Authority, shall prepare and certify to the State Comptroller the amount to be transferred into the Tax Compliance and Administration Fund under this subsection. Within 10 days after receipt by the Comptroller of the certification of the amounts, the Comptroller shall cause an order to be drawn for the transfer of the amount certified into the Tax Compliance and Administration Fund and the payment of two-thirds of the amounts certified in item (i) of this subsection to the Authority and one-third of the amounts certified in item (i) of this subsection to the respective counties other than Cook County and the amount certified in items (ii) and (iii) of this subsection to the Authority.

(dd) In addition to the disbursement required by subsection (cc), an allocation shall be made in each year to the Authority. The allocation shall be made in an amount equal to the average monthly distribution during the preceding calendar year (excluding the 2 months of lowest receipts) and the allocation shall include the amount of average monthly distribution from the Metropolitan Mobility Authority Occupation and Use Tax Replacement Fund. The distribution made in each year under this subsection and in subsection (cc) shall be reduced by the amount allocated and disbursed under this subsection in the preceding calendar year. The Department of Revenue shall prepare and certify to the Comptroller for disbursement the allocations made in accordance with this subsection.

(ee) The Authority's failure to adopt a budget ordinance or adopt a Five-year Capital Program shall not affect the validity of any tax imposed by the Authority otherwise in conformity with law.

(ff) A public transportation tax or motor vehicle parking tax authorized under subsections (b), (c), and (d) may not be in effect at the same time as any retailers' occupation, use, or service occupation tax authorized under subsections (e), (m), and (r) is in effect.

(gg) Any taxes imposed under the authority provided in subsections (b), (c), and (d) shall remain in effect only until the time as any tax authorized by subsections (e), (m), and (r) are imposed and becomes effective. Once any tax authorized by subsections (e), (m), and (r) is imposed the Board may not reimpose taxes as authorized in subsections (b), (c), and (d) unless any tax authorized by subsections (e), (m), and (r) becomes ineffective by means other than an ordinance of the Board.

(hh) Any existing rights, remedies, and obligations, including enforcement by the Authority, arising under any tax imposed under subsections (b), (c), and (d) shall not be affected by the imposition of a tax under subsections (e), (m), and (r).

(ii) As used in this Section:

"Airport-related purposes" has the meaning given to that term in Section 6z-20.2 of the State Finance Act.

"Motor fuel" has the meaning given to that term in Section 1.1 of the Motor Fuel Tax Law.

Section 6.03. Gross receipts tax-automobile rental.

(a) The Board may impose a tax upon all persons engaged in the business of renting automobiles in the metropolitan region at the rate of not to exceed 1% of the gross receipts from such business within Cook County and not to exceed 0.25% of the gross receipts from such business within the counties of DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, and Will. The tax imposed pursuant to this subsection and all civil penalties that may be assessed as an incident thereof shall be collected and enforced by the Department of Revenue. The certificate of registration which is issued by the Department to a retailer under the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act or under the Automobile Renting Occupation and Use Tax Act shall permit such person to engage in a business which is taxable under any ordinance or resolution enacted pursuant to this subsection without registering separately with the Department under such ordinance or resolution or under this subsection. The Department has full power to administer and enforce this subsection; to collect all taxes and penalties due under this subsection; to dispose of taxes and penalties so collected in the manner provided in this subsection, and to determine all rights to credit memoranda, arising on account of the erroneous payment of tax or penalty under this subsection. In the administration of, and compliance with, this subsection, the Department and persons who are subject to this subsection have the same rights, remedies, privileges, immunities, powers, and duties, and are subject to the same conditions, restrictions, limitations, penalties, and definitions of terms, and employ the same modes of procedure, as are prescribed in Sections 2 and 3 (in respect to all provisions therein other than the State rate of tax; and with relation to the provisions of the Retailers' Occupation Tax referred to therein, except as to the disposition of taxes and penalties collected, and except for the provision allowing retailers a deduction from the tax cover certain costs, and except that credit memoranda issued hereunder may not be used to discharge any State tax liability) of the Automobile Renting Occupation and Use Tax Act as fully as if provisions contained in those Sections of said Act were set forth in this subsection. Persons subject to any tax imposed pursuant to the authority granted in this paragraph may reimburse themselves for their tax liability under this subsection by separately stating such tax as an additional charge, which charge may be stated in combination, in a single amount, with State tax which sellers are required to collect under the Automobile Renting Occupation and Use Tax Act pursuant to such bracket schedules as the Department may prescribe. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to authorize the Authority to impose a tax upon the privilege of engaging in any business which under the United States Constitution may not be made the subject of taxation by this State.

(b) The Board may impose a tax upon the privilege of using, in the metropolitan region, an automobile which is rented from a renter outside Illinois, and that is titled or registered with an agency of this State's government, at a rate not to exceed 1% of the rental price of such automobile within Cook County, and not to exceed 0.25% of the rental price within the counties of DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, and Will. Such tax shall be collected from persons whose Illinois address for titling or registration purposes is given as being in the metropolitan region. Such tax shall be collected by the Department of Revenue for the Authority. Such tax must be paid to the State, or an exemption determination must be obtained from the Department of Revenue before the title or certificate of registration for the property may be issued. The tax or proof of exemption may be transmitted to the Department by way of the State agency with which, or State officer with whom the tangible personal property must be titled or registered if the Department and such agency or State officer determine that this procedure will expedite the processing of applications for title or registration. The Department has full power to administer and enforce this subsection; to collect all taxes, penalties and interest due under this subsection; to dispose of taxes, penalties, and interest so collected in the manner provided in this subsection, and to determine all rights to credit memoranda or refunds arising on account of the erroneous payment of tax, penalty, or interest under this subsection. In the administration of, and compliance with, this subsection, the Department and persons who are subject to this paragraph have the same rights, remedies, privileges, immunities, powers, and duties, and are subject to the same conditions, restrictions, limitations, penalties, and definitions of terms, and employ the same modes of procedure, as are prescribed in Sections 2 and 4 (except provisions pertaining to the State rate of tax; and with relation to the provisions of the Use Tax Act referred to therein, except provisions concerning collection or refunding of the tax by retailers, and except the provisions of Section 19 pertaining to claims by retailers and except the last paragraph concerning refunds, and except that credit memoranda issued hereunder may not be used to discharge any State tax liability) of the Automobile Renting Occupation and Use Tax Act which are not inconsistent with this subsection, as fully as if provisions contained in those Sections of said Act were set forth in this subsection.

(c) Whenever the Department determines that a refund should be made under this Section to a claimant instead of issuing a credit memorandum, the Department shall notify the State Comptroller, who shall cause the order to be drawn for the amount specified, and to the person named, in such notification from the Department. Such refund shall be paid by the State Treasurer out of the Metropolitan Mobility Authority Occupation and Use Tax Replacement Fund created under Section 6.02.

(d) The Department shall forthwith pay over to the State Treasurer, ex officio, as trustee, all taxes, penalties and interest collected under this Section. On or before the 25th day of each calendar month, the Department shall prepare and certify to the State Comptroller the amount to be paid to the Authority. The State Department of Revenue shall also certify to the Authority the amount of taxes collected in each county other than Cook County in the metropolitan region less the amount necessary for the payment of refunds to taxpayers in such county. With regard to Cook County, the certification shall specify the amount of taxes collected within the City of Chicago less the amount necessary for the payment of refunds to taxpayers in the City of Chicago and the amount collected in that portion of Cook County outside the City of Chicago less the amount necessary for the payment of refunds to taxpayers in that portion of Cook County outside the City of Chicago. The amount to be paid to the Authority shall be the amount, not including credit memoranda, collected under this Section during the second preceding calendar month by the Department, and not including an amount equal to the amount of refunds made during the second preceding calendar month by the Department on behalf of the Authority. Within 10 days after receipt by the State Comptroller of the disbursement certification to the Authority, the State Comptroller shall cause the orders to be drawn in accordance with the directions contained in such certification.

(e) An ordinance imposing a tax under this Section or effecting a change in the rate of the tax shall be effective on the first day of the calendar month next following the month in which such ordinance is passed. The Board shall transmit to the Department of Revenue on or not later than 5 days after passage of the ordinance a certified copy of the ordinance imposing such tax whereupon the Department of Revenue shall proceed to administer and enforce this Section on behalf of the Authority as of the effective date of the ordinance. Upon a change in rate of a tax levied hereunder, or upon the discontinuance of the tax, the Board shall, on or not later than 5 days after passage of the ordinance discontinuing the tax or effecting a change in rate, transmit to the Department of Revenue a certified copy of the ordinance effecting such change or discontinuance.

Section 6.04. Distribution of revenues.

(a) This Section applies only after the Department begins administering and enforcing an increased tax under subsection (bb) of Section 6.02 as authorized by this Act. After providing for payment of its obligations with respect to bonds and notes issued under the provisions of Section 6.05 and obligations related to those bonds and notes and separately accounting for the tax on aviation fuel deposited into the Local Government Aviation Trust Fund, the Authority shall disburse the remaining proceeds from taxes it has received from the Department of Revenue under this Article VI and the remaining proceeds it has received from the State under subsection (a) of Section 6.08 among the Authority programs.

(b) The Authority shall allocate among the Authority programs money received by the Authority on account of transfers to the Metropolitan Mobility Authority Occupation and Use Tax Replacement Fund from the State and Local Sales Tax Reform Fund.

(c) The Authority shall allocate money received from the State under subsection (a) of Section 6.08 among the Authority programs.

(d) The Authority shall allocate funds provided by the State of Illinois under subsection (cc) of Section 6.02 among the Authority programs.

(e) With respect to those taxes collected in DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, and Will counties and paid directly to the counties under Section 6.02, the county board of each county shall use those amounts to fund operating and capital costs of public safety and public transportation services or facilities or to fund operating, capital, right-of-way, construction, and maintenance costs of other transportation purposes, including road, bridge, public safety, and transit purposes intended to improve mobility or reduce congestion in the county. The receipt of funding by such counties pursuant to this subsection may not be used as the basis for reducing any funds that such counties would otherwise have received from the State of Illinois, any agency or instrumentality thereof, the Authority, or the Operating Divisions.

Section 6.05. Issuance and pledge of bonds and notes.

(a) The Authority may borrow money and to issue its negotiable bonds or notes as provided in this Section. Unless otherwise indicated in this Section, the term "notes" also includes bond anticipation notes, which are notes which by their terms provide for their payment from the proceeds of bonds thereafter to be issued.

(b) Bonds or notes of the Authority may be issued for any or all of the following purposes:

(1) to pay costs to the Authority of constructing or acquiring any public transportation facilities, including funds and rights relating thereto;

(2) to repay advances to the Authority made for such purposes; and to pay other expenses of the Authority incident to or incurred in connection with such construction or acquisition;

(3) to provide funds for any transportation agency to pay principal of or interest or redemption premium on any bonds or notes, whether as such amounts become due or by earlier redemption, issued prior to the effective date of this Act by such transportation agency to construct or acquire public transportation facilities or to provide funds to purchase such bonds or notes;

(4) to provide funds for any transportation agency to construct or acquire any public transportation facilities, to repay advances made for such purposes, and to pay other expenses incident to or incurred in connection with such construction or acquisition; and

(5) to provide funds for payment of obligations, including the funding of reserves, under any self-insurance plan or joint self-insurance pool or entity.

(c) In addition to any other borrowing as may be authorized by this Section, the Authority may issue its notes, from time to time, in anticipation of tax receipts of the Authority or of other revenues or receipts of the Authority, in order to provide money for the Authority to cover any cash flow deficit which the Authority anticipates incurring. Any such notes are referred to in this Section as "working cash notes".

(d) Working cash notes may not be issued for a term of longer than 24 months.

(e) Proceeds of working cash notes may be used to pay day-to-day operating expenses of the Authority, consisting of wages, salaries, and fringe benefits, professional and technical services, including legal, audit, engineering, and other consulting services, office rental, furniture, fixtures and equipment, insurance premiums, claims for self-insured amounts under insurance policies, public utility obligations for telephone, light, heat, and similar items, travel expenses, office supplies, postage, dues, subscriptions, public hearings and information expenses, fuel purchases, and payments of grants and payments under purchase of service agreements for operations of transportation agencies, prior to the receipt by the Authority from time to time of funds for paying such expenses.

(f) The Authority may issue notes or bonds to pay, refund, or redeem any of its notes and bonds, including to pay redemption premiums or accrued interest on such bonds or notes being renewed, paid or refunded, and other costs in connection therewith.

(g) The Authority may use the proceeds of any bonds or notes issued under this Section to pay the legal, financial, administrative, and other expenses of such authorization, issuance, sale, or delivery of bonds or notes or to provide or increase a debt service reserve fund with respect to any or all of its bonds or notes.

(h) The Authority may issue and deliver its bonds or notes in exchange for any public transportation facilities, including funds and rights relating thereto, or in exchange for outstanding bonds or notes of the Authority, including any accrued interest or redemption premium thereon, without advertising or submitting such notes or bonds for public bidding.

(i) The ordinance providing for the issuance of any bonds or notes issued under this Section shall fix the date or dates of maturity, the dates on which interest is payable, any sinking fund account or reserve fund account provisions, and all other details of such bonds or notes and may provide for such covenants or agreements necessary or desirable with regard to the issue, sale and security of such bonds or notes. The rate or rates of interest on its bonds or notes may be fixed or variable and the Authority shall determine or provide for the determination of the rate or rates of interest of its bonds or notes issued under this Act in an ordinance adopted by the Authority prior to the issuance thereof, none of which rates of interest shall exceed that permitted in the Bond Authorization Act. Interest may be payable at such times as are provided for by the Board.

(j) Bonds and notes issued under this Section may be issued as serial or term obligations, shall be of such denomination or denominations and form, including interest coupons to be attached thereto, be executed in such manner, shall be payable at such place or places and bear such date as the Authority shall fix by the ordinance authorizing such bond or note and shall mature at such time or times, within a period not to exceed 40 years from the date of issue, and may be redeemable prior to maturity with or without premium, at the option of the Authority, upon such terms and conditions as the Authority shall fix by the ordinance authorizing the issuance of such bonds or notes.

(k) A bond anticipation note or any renewal thereof may not mature at any time or times exceeding 5 years from the date of the first issuance of such note.

(l) The Authority may provide for the registration of bonds or notes in the name of the owner as to the principal alone or as to both principal and interest, upon such terms and conditions as the Authority may determine.

(m) The ordinance authorizing bonds or notes may provide for the exchange of such bonds or notes which are fully registered, as to both principal and interest, with bonds or notes which are registrable as to principal only.

(n) All bonds or notes issued under this Section by the Authority other than those issued in exchange for property or for bonds or notes of the Authority shall be sold at a price which may be at a premium or discount but such that the interest cost, excluding any redemption premium, to the Authority of the proceeds of an issue of such bonds or notes, computed to stated maturity according to standard tables of bond values, shall not exceed that permitted in the Bond Authorization Act.

(o) The Authority shall notify the Governor's Office of Management and Budget and the State Comptroller at least 30 days before any bond sale and shall file with the Governor's Office of Management and Budget and the State Comptroller a certified copy of any ordinance authorizing the issuance of bonds at or before the issuance of the bonds.

(p) Any such bonds or notes of the Authority shall be sold to the highest and best bidder on sealed bids as the Authority shall deem. As such bonds or notes are to be sold the Authority shall advertise for proposals to purchase the bonds or notes which advertisement shall be published at least once in a daily newspaper of general circulation published in the metropolitan region at least 10 days before the time set for the submission of bids. The Authority shall have the right to reject any or all bids.

(q) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Section, working cash notes or bonds or notes to provide funds for self-insurance or a joint self-insurance pool or entity may be sold either upon competitive bidding or by negotiated sale, without any requirement of publication of intention to negotiate the sale of such Notes, as the Board shall determine by ordinance.

(r) In case any officer whose signature appears on any bonds, notes, or coupons authorized pursuant to this Section shall cease to be such officer before delivery of such bonds or notes, such signature shall nevertheless be valid and sufficient for all purposes, the same as if such officer had remained in office until such delivery. Neither the Directors of the Authority nor any person executing any bonds or notes thereof shall be liable personally on any such bonds or notes or coupons by reason of the issuance thereof.

(s) All bonds or notes of the Authority issued pursuant to this Section shall be general obligations of the Authority to which shall be pledged the full faith and credit of the Authority, as provided in this Section. Such bonds or notes shall be secured as provided in the authorizing ordinance, which may, notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, include in addition to any other security, a specific pledge or assignment of and lien on or security interest in any or all tax receipts of the Authority and on any or all other revenues or moneys of the Authority from whatever source, which may, by law, be used for debt service purposes and a specific pledge or assignment of and lien on or security interest in any funds or accounts established or provided for by the ordinance of the Authority authorizing the issuance of such bonds or notes. Any such pledge, assignment, lien, or security interest for the benefit of holders of bonds or notes of the Authority shall be valid and binding from the time the bonds or notes are issued without any physical delivery or further act and shall be valid and binding as against and prior to the claims of all other parties having claims of any kind against the Authority or any other person irrespective of whether such other parties have notice of such pledge, assignment, lien, or security interest. The obligations of the Authority incurred pursuant to this Section are superior to and have priority over any other obligations of the Authority.

(t) The Authority may provide in the ordinance authorizing the issuance of any bonds or notes issued pursuant to this Section for the creation of, deposits in, and regulation and disposition of sinking fund or reserve accounts relating to such bonds or notes. The ordinance authorizing the issuance of any bonds or notes pursuant to this Section may contain provisions as part of the contract with the holders of the bonds or notes, for the creation of a separate fund to provide for the payment of principal and interest on such bonds or notes and for the deposit in such fund from any or all the tax receipts of the Authority and from any or all such other moneys or revenues of the Authority from whatever source which may by law be used for debt service purposes, all as provided in such ordinance, of amounts to meet the debt service requirements on such bonds or notes, including principal and interest, and any sinking fund or reserve fund account requirements as may be provided by such ordinance, and all expenses incident to or in connection with such fund and accounts or the payment of such bonds or notes. Such ordinance may also provide limitations on the issuance of additional bonds or notes of the Authority. Such bonds or notes of the Authority do not constitute a debt of the State of Illinois. Nothing in this Act shall be construed to enable the Authority to impose any ad valorem tax on property.

(u) The ordinance of the Authority authorizing the issuance of any bonds or notes may provide additional security for such bonds or notes by providing for appointment of a corporate trustee, which may be any trust company or bank having the powers of a trust company within the State, with respect to such bonds or notes. The ordinance shall prescribe the rights, duties, and powers of the trustee to be exercised for the benefit of the Authority and the protection of the holders of such bonds or notes. The ordinance may provide for the trustee to hold in trust, invest, and use amounts in funds and accounts created as provided by the ordinance with respect to the bonds or notes. The ordinance may provide for the assignment and direct payment to the trustee of any or all amounts produced from the sources provided in Sections 6.02 and 6.08 and provided in Section 6z-17 of the State Finance Act. Upon receipt of notice of any such assignment, the Department of Revenue and the Comptroller of the State of Illinois shall thereafter, notwithstanding the provisions of Sections 6.02 and 6.08 and Section 6z-17 of the State Finance Act, provide for such assigned amounts to be paid directly to the trustee instead of the Authority, all in accordance with the terms of the ordinance making the assignment. The ordinance shall provide that amounts so paid to the trustee which are not required to be deposited, held, or invested in funds and accounts created by the ordinance with respect to bonds or notes or used for paying bonds or notes to be paid by the trustee to the Authority.

(v) Any bonds or notes of the Authority issued pursuant to this Section shall constitute a contract between the Authority and the holders from time to time of such bonds or notes. In issuing any bond or note, the Authority may include in the ordinance authorizing such issue a covenant as part of the contract with the holders of the bonds or notes, that as long as such obligations are outstanding, it shall make such deposits, as provided in subsection (c). It may also so covenant that it shall impose and continue to impose taxes, as provided in Section 6.02 and in addition thereto as subsequently authorized by law, sufficient to make such deposits and pay the principal and interest and to meet other debt service requirements of such bonds or notes as they become due. A certified copy of the ordinance authorizing the issuance of any such obligations shall be filed at or prior to the issuance of such obligations with the State Comptroller and the Department of Revenue.

(w) The State of Illinois pledges to and agrees with the holders of the bonds and notes of the Authority issued pursuant to this Section that the State will not limit or alter the rights and powers vested in the Authority by this Act to impair the terms of any contract made by the Authority with such holders or in any way impair the rights and remedies of such holders until such bonds and notes, together with interest thereon, with interest on any unpaid installments of interest, and all costs and expenses in connection with any action or proceedings by or on behalf of such holders, are fully met and discharged. In addition, the State pledges to and agrees with the holders of the bonds and notes of the Authority issued pursuant to this Section that the State will not limit or alter the basis on which State funds are to be paid to the Authority as provided in this Act, or the use of such funds, so as to impair the terms of any such contract. The Authority may include these pledges and agreements of the State in any contract with the holders of bonds or notes issued pursuant to this Section.

(x) Except as provided in subsections (y) and (aa), the Authority may not issue, sell, or deliver any bonds or notes, other than working cash notes and lines of credit, pursuant to this Section which will cause it to have issued and outstanding at any time in excess of $800,000,000 of such bonds and notes, other than working cash notes and lines of credit. The Authority shall not issue, sell, or deliver any working cash notes or establish a line of credit pursuant to this Section that will cause it to have issued and outstanding at any time in excess of $100,000,000. Bonds or notes which are being paid or retired by such issuance, sale, or delivery of bonds or notes, and bonds or notes for which sufficient funds have been deposited with the paying agency of such bonds or notes to provide for payment of principal and interest thereon or to provide for the redemption thereof, all pursuant to the ordinance authorizing the issuance of such bonds or notes, shall not be considered to be outstanding for the purposes of this subsection.

(y) The Authority may issue, sell, and deliver bonds or notes in such amounts as are necessary to provide for the refunding or advance refunding of bonds or notes issued for Strategic Capital Improvement Projects under this subsection if no such refunding bond or note shall mature later than the final maturity date of the series of bonds or notes being refunded and if the debt service requirements for such refunding bonds or notes in the current or any future fiscal year do not exceed the debt service requirements for that year on the refunded bonds or notes.

(z) The Authority may also issue, sell, and deliver bonds or notes in such amounts as are necessary to provide for the refunding or advance refunding of bonds or notes issued for Strategic Capital Improvement Projects under paragraph (3) of subsection (g) of Section 4.04 of the Regional Transportation Authority Act (repealed), provided that no such refunding bond or note shall mature later than the final maturity date of the series of bonds or notes being refunded, and provided further that the debt service requirements for such refunding bonds or notes in the current or any future fiscal year shall not exceed the debt service requirements for that year on the refunded bonds or notes.

(aa) The Authority, subject to the terms of any agreements with noteholders or bondholders as may then exist, may, out of any funds available therefore, purchase notes or bonds of the Authority, which shall thereupon be canceled.

(bb) In addition to any other authority granted by law, the State Treasurer may, with the approval of the Governor, invest or reinvest, at a price not to exceed par, any State money in the State treasury which is not needed for current expenditures due or about to become due in working cash notes. If there is a default on a working cash note issued by the Authority in which State money in the State treasury was invested, the Treasurer may, after giving notice to the Authority, certify to the Comptroller the amounts of the defaulted working cash note, in accordance with any applicable rules of the Comptroller, and the Comptroller must deduct and remit to the State treasury the certified amounts or a portion of those amounts from the following proportions of payments of State funds to the Authority:

(i) in the first year after default, one-third of the total amount of any payments of State funds to the Authority;

(ii) in the second year after default, two-thirds of the total amount of any payments of State funds to the Authority; and

(iii) in the third year after default and for each year thereafter until the total invested amount is repaid, the total amount of any payments of State funds to the Authority.

(cc) The Authority may establish a line of credit with a bank or other financial institution as may be evidenced by the issuance of notes or other obligations, secured by and payable from all tax receipts of the Authority and any or all other revenues or moneys of the Authority, in an amount not to exceed the limitations set forth in subsection (x). Money borrowed under this subsection shall be used to provide money for the Authority to cover any cash flow deficit that the Authority anticipates incurring and shall be repaid within 24 months.

(dd) Before establishing a line of credit under subsection (cc), the Authority shall authorize the line of credit by ordinance. The ordinance shall set forth facts demonstrating the need for the line of credit, state the amount to be borrowed, establish a maximum interest rate limit not to exceed the maximum rate authorized by the Bond Authorization Act, and provide a date by which the borrowed funds shall be repaid. The ordinance shall authorize and direct the relevant officials to make arrangements to set apart and hold, as applicable, the moneys that will be used to repay the borrowing. In addition, the ordinance may authorize the relevant officials to make partial repayments on the line of credit as the moneys become available and may contain any other terms, restrictions, or limitations desirable or necessary to give effect to subsection (cc).

(ee) The Authority shall notify the Governor's Office of Management and Budget and the State Comptroller at least 30 days before establishing a line of credit and shall file with the Governor's Office of Management and Budget and the State Comptroller a certified copy of any ordinance authorizing the establishment of a line of credit upon or before establishing the line of credit.

(ff) Moneys borrowed under a line of credit pursuant to subsection (cc) are general obligations of the Authority that are secured by the full faith and credit of the Authority.

Section 6.06. Bonds, notes, and certificates; legal investments. The State, all units of local government, all public officers, banks, bankers, trust companies, savings banks and institutions, building and loan associations, savings and loan associations, investment companies and other persons carrying on a banking business, insurance companies, insurance associations and other persons carrying on an insurance business, and all executors, administrators, guardians, trustees and other fiduciaries may legally invest any sinking funds, moneys, or other funds belonging to them or within their control in any bonds, notes, or equipment trust certificates issued pursuant to this Act, it being the purpose of this Section to authorize the investment in such bonds, notes, or certificates of all sinking, insurance, retirement, compensation, pension, and trust funds, whether owned or controlled by private or public persons or officers. However, nothing in this Section may be construed as relieving any person, firm, or corporation from any duty of exercising reasonable care in selecting securities for purchase or investment.

Section 6.07. Exemption from taxation. The Authority is exempt from all State and unit of local government taxes and registration and license fees other than as required for motor vehicle registration in accordance with the Illinois Vehicle Code. All property of the Authority is declared to be public property devoted to an essential public and governmental function and purpose and is exempt from all taxes and special assessments of the State, any subdivision thereof, or any unit of local government.

Section 6.08. Public Transportation Fund and the Metropolitan Mobility Authority Occupation and Use Tax Replacement Fund.

(a) As soon as possible after the first day of each month, upon certification of the Department of Revenue, the Comptroller shall order transferred and the Treasurer shall transfer from the General Revenue Fund to the Public Transportation Fund, a special fund in the State treasury, an amount equal to 25% of the net revenue, before the deduction of the serviceman and retailer discounts pursuant to Section 9 of the Service Occupation Tax Act and Section 3 of the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act, realized from any tax imposed by the Authority pursuant to Sections 6.02 and 6.03 and 25% of the amounts deposited into the Metropolitan Mobility Authority Occupation and Use Tax Replacement Fund created by Section 6.02, from the County and Mass Transit District Fund as provided in Section 6z-20 of the State Finance Act and 25% of the amounts deposited into the Metropolitan Mobility Authority Occupation and Use Tax Replacement Fund from the State and Local Sales Tax Reform Fund as provided in Section 6z-17 of the State Finance Act. On the first day of the month following the date that the Department receives revenues from increased taxes under subsection (cc) of Section 6.02, in lieu of the transfers authorized in the preceding sentence, upon certification of the Department of Revenue, the Comptroller shall order transferred and the Treasurer shall transfer from the General Revenue Fund to the Public Transportation Fund an amount equal to 25% of the net revenue, before the deduction of the serviceman and retailer discounts pursuant to Section 9 of the Service Occupation Tax Act and Section 3 of the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act, realized from (i) 80% of the proceeds of any tax imposed by the Authority at a rate of 1.25% in Cook County, (ii) 75% of the proceeds of any tax imposed by the Authority at the rate of 1% in Cook County, and (iii) one-third of the proceeds of any tax imposed by the Authority at the rate of 0.75% in the Counties of DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, and Will, all pursuant to Section 6.02, and 25% of the net revenue realized from any tax imposed by the Authority pursuant to Section 6.03, and 25% of the amounts deposited into the Metropolitan Mobility Authority Occupation and Use Tax Replacement Fund created by Section 6.02 from the County and Mass Transit District Fund as provided in Section 6z-20 of the State Finance Act, and 25% of the amounts deposited into the Metropolitan Mobility Authority Occupation and Use Tax Replacement Fund from the State and Local Sales Tax Reform Fund as provided in Section 6z-17 of the State Finance Act. As used in this Section, net revenue realized for a month shall be the revenue collected by the State pursuant to Sections 6.02 and 6.03 during the previous month from within the metropolitan region, less the amount paid out during that same month as refunds to taxpayers for overpayment of liability in the metropolitan region under Sections 6.02 and 6.03.

(b) Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, those amounts required under subsection (a) to be transferred by the Treasurer into the Public Transportation Fund from the General Revenue Fund shall be directly deposited into the Public Transportation Fund as the revenues are realized from the taxes indicated.

(c) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (c), on the first day of each month, upon certification by the Department of Revenue, the Comptroller shall order transferred and the Treasurer shall transfer from the General Revenue Fund to the Public Transportation Fund an amount equal to 5% of the net revenue, before the deduction of the serviceman and retailer discounts pursuant to Section 9 of the Service Occupation Tax Act and Section 3 of the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act, realized from any tax imposed by the Authority pursuant to Sections 6.02 and 6.03 and certified by the Department of Revenue under subsection (cc) of Section 6.02 to be paid to the Authority and 5% of the amounts deposited into the Metropolitan Mobility Authority Occupation and Use Tax Replacement Fund created by subsection (cc) of Section 6.02 from the County and Mass Transit District Fund as provided in Section 6z-20 of the State Finance Act, and 5% of the amounts deposited into the Metropolitan Mobility Authority Occupation and Use Tax Replacement Fund from the State and Local Sales Tax Reform Fund as provided in Section 6z-17 of the State Finance Act, and 5% of the revenue realized by the Authority as financial assistance from the City of Chicago from the proceeds of any tax imposed by the City of Chicago under Section 8-3-19 of the Illinois Municipal Code.

(d) Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, those amounts required under subsection (e) to be transferred by the Treasurer into the Public Transportation Fund from the General Revenue Fund shall be directly deposited into the Public Transportation Fund as the revenues are realized from the taxes indicated.

(e) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (g), as soon as possible after the first day of each month, upon certification of the Department of Revenue with respect to the taxes collected under Section 6.02, the Comptroller shall order transferred and the Treasurer shall transfer from the General Revenue Fund to the Public Transportation Fund an amount equal to 25% of the net revenue, before the deduction of the serviceman and retailer discounts pursuant to Section 9 of the Service Occupation Tax Act and Section 3 of the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act, realized from (i) 20% of the proceeds of any tax imposed by the Authority at a rate of 1.25% in Cook County, (ii) 25% of the proceeds of any tax imposed by the Authority at the rate of 1% in Cook County, and (iii) one-third of the proceeds of any tax imposed by the Authority at the rate of 0.75% in the Counties of DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, and Will, all pursuant to Section 6.02, and the Comptroller shall order transferred and the Treasurer shall transfer from the General Revenue Fund to the Public Transportation Fund (iv) an amount equal to 25% of the revenue realized by the Authority as financial assistance from the City of Chicago from the proceeds of any tax imposed by the City of Chicago under Section 8-3-19 of the Illinois Municipal Code.

(f) Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, those amounts required under subsection (e) to be transferred by the Treasurer into the Public Transportation Fund from the General Revenue Fund shall be directly deposited into the Public Transportation Fund as the revenues are realized from the taxes indicated

(g) Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, of the transfers to be made under subsections (a), (c), and (e) from the General Revenue Fund to the Public Transportation Fund, the first $150,000,000 that would have otherwise been transferred from the General Revenue Fund shall be transferred from the Road Fund. The remaining balance of such transfers shall be made from the General Revenue Fund.

(h) All moneys deposited into the Public Transportation Fund and the Metropolitan Mobility Authority Occupation and Use Tax Replacement Fund, whether deposited pursuant to this Section or otherwise, are allocated to the Authority, except for amounts appropriated to the Office of the Executive Inspector General under subsection (a) of Section 5.14 and amounts transferred to the Audit Expense Fund pursuant to Section 6z-27 of the State Finance Act. The Comptroller, as soon as possible after each monthly transfer provided in this Section and after each deposit into the Public Transportation Fund, shall order the Treasurer to pay to the Authority out of the Public Transportation Fund the amount so transferred or deposited. Any additional state assistance and additional financial assistance paid to the Authority under this Section shall be expended by the Authority for its purposes as provided in this Act. The balance of the amounts paid to the Authority from the Public Transportation Fund shall be expended by the Authority as provided in Section 6.04. The Comptroller, as soon as possible after each deposit into the Metropolitan Mobility Authority Occupation and Use Tax Replacement Fund provided in this Section and Section 6z-17 of the State Finance Act, shall order the Treasurer to pay to the Authority out of the Metropolitan Mobility Authority Occupation and Use Tax Replacement Fund the amount so deposited. Such amounts paid to the Authority may be expended by it for its purposes as provided in this Act. The provisions directing the distributions from the Public Transportation Fund and the Metropolitan Mobility Authority Occupation and Use Tax Replacement Fund provided for in this Section shall constitute an irrevocable and continuing appropriation of all amounts as provided herein. The State Treasurer and State Comptroller are authorized and directed to make distributions as provided in this Section. However, no moneys deposited under subsection (a) shall be paid from the Public Transportation Fund to the Authority or its assignee for any fiscal year until the Authority has certified to the Governor, the Comptroller, and the Mayor of the City of Chicago that it has adopted for that fiscal year an Annual Budget and Two-Year Financial Plan meeting the requirements in Section 5.12.

(i) In recognition of the efforts of the Authority to enhance the mass transportation facilities under its control, the State shall provide financial assistance (hereinafter "additional state assistance"). Additional state assistance shall be calculated as provided in subsection (k), but may not exceed $55,000,000.

(j) The State shall provide financial assistance (hereinafter "additional financial assistance") in addition to the additional state assistance provided by subsection (i) and the amounts transferred to the Authority under subsection (a). Additional financial assistance provided by this subsection shall be calculated as provided in subsection (k), but may not exceed $100,000,000.

(k) The Authority shall annually certify to the State Comptroller and State Treasurer, separately with respect to each of paragraphs (2) and (3) of subsection (g) of Section 4.04 of the Regional Transportation Act (repealed), the following amounts:

(1) The amount necessary and required, during the State fiscal year with respect to which the certification is made, to pay its obligations for debt service on all outstanding bonds or notes issued by the Authority or under paragraphs (2) and (3) of subsection (g) of Section 4.04 of the Regional Transportation Authority Act (repealed).

(2) An estimate of the amount necessary and required to pay its obligations for debt service for any bonds or notes which the Authority anticipates it will issue under paragraphs (2) and (3) of subsection (g) of Section 4.04 of the Regional Transportation Authority Act (repealed) during that State fiscal year.

(3) Its debt service savings during the preceding State fiscal year from refunding or advance refunding of bonds or notes issued under paragraphs (2) and (3) of subsection (g) of Section 4.04 of the Regional Transportation Authority Act (repealed) during that State fiscal year.

(4) The amount of interest, if any, earned by the Authority during the previous State fiscal year on the proceeds of bonds or notes issued pursuant to paragraphs (2) and (3) of subsection (g) of Section 4.04 of the Regional Transportation Authority Act (repealed), other than refunding or advance refunding bonds or notes.

(l) The certification under subsection (k) shall include a specific schedule of debt service payments, including the date and amount of each payment for all outstanding bonds or notes and an estimated schedule of anticipated debt service for all bonds and notes it intends to issue, if any, during that State fiscal year, including the estimated date and estimated amount of each payment.

(m) Immediately upon the issuance of bonds for which an estimated schedule of debt service payments was prepared, the Authority shall file an amended certification with respect to paragraph (2) of subsection (k) to specify the actual schedule of debt service payments, including the date and amount of each payment, for the remainder of the State fiscal year.

(n) On the first day of each month of the State fiscal year in which there are bonds outstanding with respect to which the certification is made, the State Comptroller shall order transferred and the State Treasurer shall transfer from the Road Fund to the Public Transportation Fund the additional state assistance and additional financial assistance in an amount equal to the aggregate of (i) one-twelfth of the sum of the amounts certified under paragraphs (1) and (3) of subsection (k) less the amount certified under paragraph (4) of subsection (k), plus (ii) the amount required to pay debt service on bonds and notes issued during the fiscal year, if any, divided by the number of months remaining in the fiscal year after the date of issuance, or some smaller portion as may be necessary under subsection (i) or (j) for the relevant State fiscal year, plus (iii) any cumulative deficiencies in transfers for prior months, until an amount equal to the sum of the amounts certified under subsections (a) and (e), plus the actual debt service certified under subsection (c), less the amount certified under subsection (k), has been transferred; except that these transfers are subject to the following limits:

(1) The total transfers in any State fiscal year relating to outstanding bonds and notes issued by the Authority or under paragraph (2) of subsection (g) of Section 4.04 of the Regional Transportation Authority Act (repealed) may not exceed the lesser of the annual maximum amount specified in subsection (e) or the sum of the amounts certified under subsections (a) and (e), plus the actual debt service certified under subsection (c), less the amount certified under subsection (k), with respect to those bonds and notes.

(2) The total transfers in any State fiscal year relating to outstanding bonds and notes issued by the Authority under paragraph (3) of subsection (g) of Section 4.04 of the Regional Transportation Authority Act (repealed) may not exceed the lesser of the annual maximum amount specified in subsection (j) or the sum of the amounts certified under subsections (a) and (c), plus the actual debt service certified under subsection (b), less the amount certified under subsection (k), with respect to those bonds and notes.

(o) As used in this Section, "outstanding" does not include bonds or notes for which refunding or advance refunding bonds or notes have been issued.

(p) Neither additional state assistance nor additional financial assistance may be pledged, either directly or indirectly, as general revenues of the Authority or as security for any bonds issued by the Authority. The Authority may not assign its right to receive additional state assistance or additional financial assistance, or direct payment of additional state assistance or additional financial assistance, to a trustee or any other entity for the payment of debt service on its bonds.

(q) The certification required under subsection (k) with respect to outstanding bonds and notes of the Authority shall be filed as early as practicable before the beginning of the State fiscal year to which it relates. The certification shall be revised as may be necessary to accurately state the debt service requirements of the Authority.

Section 6.09. Strategic Capital Improvement Program.

(a) This Section and the Annual Capital Improvement Plan created in Section 5.10 shall together be known as the Strategic Capital Improvement Program. The Strategic Capital Improvement Program shall enhance the ability of the Authority to acquire, repair, or replace public transportation facilities in the metropolitan region and shall be financed through the issuance of bonds or notes authorized for Strategic Capital Improvement Projects under Section 6.05. The Program is intended as a supplement to the ongoing capital development activities of the Authority financed with grants, loans, and other moneys made available by the federal government or the State of Illinois. The Authority shall continue to seek, receive, and expend all available grants, loans and other moneys.

(b) Any contracts for architectural or engineering services for projects approved pursuant to Section 5.10 shall comply with the requirements set forth in the Local Government Professional Services Selection Act.

Section 6.10. Rate protection contracts.

(a) As used in this Section, "rate protection contracts" means interest rate price exchange agreements; currency exchange agreements; forward payment conversion agreements; contracts providing for payment or receipt of funds based on levels of, or changes in, interest rates, currency exchange rates, stock or other indices; contracts to exchange cash flows or a series of payments; contracts, including, without limitation, interest rate caps; interest rate floor; interest rate locks; interest rate collars; rate of return guarantees or assurances, to manage payment, currency, rate, spread or similar exposure; the obligation, right, or option to issue, put, lend, sell, grant a security interest in, buy, borrow or otherwise acquire, a bond, note or other security or interest therein as an investment, as collateral, as a hedge, or otherwise as a source or assurance of payment to or by the Authority or as a reduction of the Authority's or an obligor's risk exposure; repurchase agreements; securities lending agreements; and other similar agreements or arrangements.

(b) Notwithstanding any provision in paragraph (2) of Section 4.02 to the contrary, in connection with or incidental to the issuance by the Authority of its bonds or notes under the provisions of Section 6.05 or the exercise of its powers under paragraph (2) of Section 4.02, the Authority, for its own benefit or for the benefit of the holders of its obligations or their trustee, may enter into rate protection contracts. The Authority may enter into rate protection contracts only pursuant to a determination by the Directors that the terms of the contracts and any related agreements reduce the risk of loss to the Authority, or protect, preserve or enhance the value of its assets, or provide compensation to the Authority for losses resulting from changes in interest rates. The Authority's obligations under any rate protection contract or credit enhancement or liquidity agreement shall not be considered bonds or notes for purposes of this Act. For purposes of this Section, a rate protection contract is a contract determined by the Authority as necessary or appropriate to permit it to manage payment, currency, or interest rate risks or levels.

Section 6.11. Metropolitan Mobility Authority Additional Operating Funding Fund. There is created the Metropolitan Mobility Authority Additional Operating Funding Fund, a special fund that is created in the State treasury, and, subject to appropriation and as directed by the Board, moneys in the Fund may be expended for any purpose allowed under this Act.

Section 6.12. Nature of funds. The funds described in this Act and the Equitable Transit-Supportive Development Act generated from transportation sources and deposited into those funds are protected under Section 11 of Article IX of the Illinois Constitution and the uses of the funds allowed under these Acts are deemed transportation purposes under Section 11 of Article IX and may not, by transfer, offset, or otherwise, be diverted by any local government, including, without limitation, any home rule unit of government, to any purpose other than public transportation purposes. This Section is declarative of existing law.

Article VII. OFFICE OF TRANSIT-ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT

Section 7.01. Short title; intent.

(a) This Article VII may be cited as the Equitable Transit-Supportive Development Act. References to "this Act" in this Article VII mean this Article VII.

(b) It is the intent of the General Assembly in enacting this Act to (1) strengthen connections among people, places, and transit, (2) establish a virtuous cycle of increasing residential units and employment near transit that supports increased transit service, which then makes nearby property more attractive for development, (3) support increased housing opportunities and other infill development in transit-served locations, (4) enhance the resilience of Illinois' transit assets and leverage the value of transit to property owners and tenants, and (5) increase transit availability and ridership to achieve quality of life, economic development, and sustainability objectives.

Section 7.02. Definitions. As used in this Act:

"Affordable housing" means long-term income-restricted housing units for households whose adjusted income is at or below 60% of the metropolitan area median income, adjusted for household size, for the transit agency service area in which the housing units are to be built.

"Near high-quality transit" in the metropolitan region, as defined in the Metropolitan Mobility Authority Act, refers to parcels located within one-half mile of a rail transit station or within one-eighth mile of a bus stop with headways of no more than 15 minutes for at least 14 hours per day. The Office may define "near high-quality transit" differently elsewhere in the State.

"Office" means the Office of Transit-Oriented Development.

"Workforce housing" means long-term income-restricted housing units for households whose adjusted income is at or below 120% and above 60% of the metropolitan area, as that term is defined in the Metropolitan Mobility Authority Act, median income, adjusted for household size.

Section 7.03. Establishment of the Office of Transit-Oriented Development and Transit-Supportive Development Fund.

(a) There is established the Office of Transit-Oriented Development and the Transit-Supportive Development Fund, a special fund that is created in the State treasury, and, subject to appropriation and as directed by the Office, may be expended as provided in this Act.

(b) Amounts on deposit in the Fund and interest and other earnings on those amounts may be used by the Office to aid transit-supportive development near high-quality transit as provided in this Act.

(c) Eligible uses of the Fund include, but are not limited to, conversion of nonresidential uses to residential use, redevelopment of underused parking lots, provision of affordable housing and workforce housing, mixed-use development, and joint development with a transit agency on agency-owned property.

(d) In using moneys from the Fund, the Office shall prioritize projects that leverage other funding sources and promote equitable access to housing and jobs in transit-served locations. To qualify for financial support from the Office, local jurisdictions must identify opportunity sites with site control or documented concurrence from property owners, subject to specific standards to be defined by the Office, to support these eligible uses:

(1) funding offered by the Office for predevelopment work, including, but not limited to, site acquisition, parcel assembly, environmental remediation, and utility and supporting infrastructure installation, directly or through grants and partnerships with other public or private organizations;

(2) loans offered by the Office to provide financing for construction in support of eligible development projects; or

(3) technical assistance offered by the Office to transit agencies, local jurisdictions with land use authority, property owners, and developers to help best accommodate transit-supportive development in areas near high-quality transit. As used in this paragraph, "technical assistance" includes, but is not limited to: interagency expertise; development strategy and planning assistance; market or value capture assessments; and assistance with solicitations, ground leases, or revolving funds; professional services, including, but not limited to, marketing, financial analysis, design, engineering, and land surveying.

(e) The Office and the State's metropolitan planning organizations may partner to carry out this Act, including the Office providing operating funding to metropolitan planning organizations for personnel with expertise in transit-supportive development in accordance with this Act.

Section 7.04. Transit support overlay districts.

(a) The metropolitan planning organization for each municipality seeking eligibility for assistance by the Office shall develop standards for a transit support overlay district for that urban area, which may include, but are not limited to, transit-supportive allowable uses and densities, restriction of auto-oriented uses, removal of parking requirements, site planning standards that support walkability, sidewalk network connectivity and local funding commitments for sidewalks in compliance with the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended, and streetscape features that encourage transit use.

(b) Assistance by the Office shall be exclusively for projects in municipalities that have adopted the standards in the transit support overlay district for that area or that have adopted zoning and other changes that the Office determines have benefits greater than or equal to such a District.

Section 7.05. Standards and annual reporting. The Office shall develop standards and procedures necessary to implement this Act and shall annually publish a comprehensive annual report that describes its transactions, holdings, and financial position.

Section 7.06. Report to General Assembly. By no later than 2 years after the effective date of this Act, the Office shall submit to the General Assembly a comprehensive study of State programs for affordable housing, economic development, and other capital investments to determine how the criteria for investment under those programs can be aligned to support transit and transit-oriented development. The study shall also identify opportunities to bundle or streamline access to other State investments with the assistance provided by the Office. The Illinois Housing Development Authority, Illinois Finance Authority, Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, Capital Development Board, and other relevant departments of the State shall cooperate to provide any needed information to complete the study and shall implement the recommendations of the study.

Article VIII. MISCELLANEOUS

Section 8.01. The Open Meetings Act is amended by changing Section 2 as follows:

(5 ILCS 120/2) (from Ch. 102, par. 42)

Sec. 2. Open meetings.

(a) Openness required. All meetings of public bodies shall be open to the public unless excepted in subsection (c) and closed in accordance with Section 2a.

(b) Construction of exceptions. The exceptions contained in subsection (c) are in derogation of the requirement that public bodies meet in the open, and therefore, the exceptions are to be strictly construed, extending only to subjects clearly within their scope. The exceptions authorize but do not require the holding of a closed meeting to discuss a subject included within an enumerated exception.

(c) Exceptions. A public body may hold closed meetings to consider the following subjects:

(1) The appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees, specific individuals who serve as independent contractors in a park, recreational, or educational setting, or specific volunteers of the public body or legal counsel for the public body, including hearing testimony on a complaint lodged against an employee, a specific individual who serves as an independent contractor in a park, recreational, or educational setting, or a volunteer of the public body or against legal counsel for the public body to determine its validity. However, a meeting to consider an increase in compensation to a specific employee of a public body that is subject to the Local Government Wage Increase Transparency Act may not be closed and shall be open to the public and posted and held in accordance with this Act.

(2) Collective negotiating matters between the public body and its employees or their representatives, or deliberations concerning salary schedules for one or more classes of employees.

(3) The selection of a person to fill a public office, as defined in this Act, including a vacancy in a public office, when the public body is given power to appoint under law or ordinance, or the discipline, performance or removal of the occupant of a public office, when the public body is given power to remove the occupant under law or ordinance.

(4) Evidence or testimony presented in open hearing, or in closed hearing where specifically authorized by law, to a quasi-adjudicative body, as defined in this Act, provided that the body prepares and makes available for public inspection a written decision setting forth its determinative reasoning.

(4.5) Evidence or testimony presented to a school board regarding denial of admission to school events or property pursuant to Section 24-24 of the School Code, provided that the school board prepares and makes available for public inspection a written decision setting forth its determinative reasoning.

(5) The purchase or lease of real property for the use of the public body, including meetings held for the purpose of discussing whether a particular parcel should be acquired.

(6) The setting of a price for sale or lease of property owned by the public body.

(7) The sale or purchase of securities, investments, or investment contracts. This exception shall not apply to the investment of assets or income of funds deposited into the Illinois Prepaid Tuition Trust Fund.

(8) Security procedures, school building safety and security, and the use of personnel and equipment to respond to an actual, a threatened, or a reasonably potential danger to the safety of employees, students, staff, the public, or public property.

(9) Student disciplinary cases.

(10) The placement of individual students in special education programs and other matters relating to individual students.

(11) Litigation, when an action against, affecting or on behalf of the particular public body has been filed and is pending before a court or administrative tribunal, or when the public body finds that an action is probable or imminent, in which case the basis for the finding shall be recorded and entered into the minutes of the closed meeting.

(12) The establishment of reserves or settlement of claims as provided in the Local Governmental and Governmental Employees Tort Immunity Act, if otherwise the disposition of a claim or potential claim might be prejudiced, or the review or discussion of claims, loss or risk management information, records, data, advice or communications from or with respect to any insurer of the public body or any intergovernmental risk management association or self insurance pool of which the public body is a member.

(13) Conciliation of complaints of discrimination in the sale or rental of housing, when closed meetings are authorized by the law or ordinance prescribing fair housing practices and creating a commission or administrative agency for their enforcement.

(14) Informant sources, the hiring or assignment of undercover personnel or equipment, or ongoing, prior or future criminal investigations, when discussed by a public body with criminal investigatory responsibilities.

(15) Professional ethics or performance when considered by an advisory body appointed to advise a licensing or regulatory agency on matters germane to the advisory body's field of competence.

(16) Self evaluation, practices and procedures or professional ethics, when meeting with a representative of a statewide association of which the public body is a member.

(17) The recruitment, credentialing, discipline or formal peer review of physicians or other health care professionals, or for the discussion of matters protected under the federal Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Act of 2005, and the regulations promulgated thereunder, including 42 CFR C.F.R. Part 3 (73 FR 70732), or the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, and the regulations promulgated thereunder, including 45 CFR C.F.R. Parts 160, 162, and 164, by a hospital, or other institution providing medical care, that is operated by the public body.

(18) Deliberations for decisions of the Prisoner Review Board.

(19) Review or discussion of applications received under the Experimental Organ Transplantation Procedures Act.

(20) The classification and discussion of matters classified as confidential or continued confidential by the State Government Suggestion Award Board.

(21) Discussion of minutes of meetings lawfully closed under this Act, whether for purposes of approval by the body of the minutes or semi-annual review of the minutes as mandated by Section 2.06.

(22) Deliberations for decisions of the State Emergency Medical Services Disciplinary Review Board.

(23) The operation by a municipality of a municipal utility or the operation of a municipal power agency or municipal natural gas agency when the discussion involves (i) contracts relating to the purchase, sale, or delivery of electricity or natural gas or (ii) the results or conclusions of load forecast studies.

(24) Meetings of a residential health care facility resident sexual assault and death review team or the Executive Council under the Abuse Prevention Review Team Act.

(25) Meetings of an independent team of experts under Brian's Law.

(26) Meetings of a mortality review team appointed under the Department of Juvenile Justice Mortality Review Team Act.

(27) (Blank).

(28) Correspondence and records (i) that may not be disclosed under Section 11-9 of the Illinois Public Aid Code or (ii) that pertain to appeals under Section 11-8 of the Illinois Public Aid Code.

(29) Meetings between internal or external auditors and governmental audit committees, finance committees, and their equivalents, when the discussion involves internal control weaknesses, identification of potential fraud risk areas, known or suspected frauds, and fraud interviews conducted in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards of the United States of America.

(30) Those meetings or portions of meetings of a fatality review team or the Illinois Fatality Review Team Advisory Council during which a review of the death of an eligible adult in which abuse or neglect is suspected, alleged, or substantiated is conducted pursuant to Section 15 of the Adult Protective Services Act.

(31) Meetings and deliberations for decisions of the Concealed Carry Licensing Review Board under the Firearm Concealed Carry Act.

(32) (Blank). Meetings between the Regional Transportation Authority Board and its Service Boards when the discussion involves review by the Regional Transportation Authority Board of employment contracts under Section 28d of the Metropolitan Transit Authority Act and Sections 3A.18 and 3B.26 of the Regional Transportation Authority Act.

(33) Those meetings or portions of meetings of the advisory committee and peer review subcommittee created under Section 320 of the Illinois Controlled Substances Act during which specific controlled substance prescriber, dispenser, or patient information is discussed.

(34) Meetings of the Tax Increment Financing Reform Task Force under Section 2505-800 of the Department of Revenue Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois.

(35) Meetings of the group established to discuss Medicaid capitation rates under Section 5-30.8 of the Illinois Public Aid Code.

(36) Those deliberations or portions of deliberations for decisions of the Illinois Gaming Board in which there is discussed any of the following: (i) personal, commercial, financial, or other information obtained from any source that is privileged, proprietary, confidential, or a trade secret; or (ii) information specifically exempted from the disclosure by federal or State law.

(37) Deliberations for decisions of the Illinois Law Enforcement Training Standards Board, the Certification Review Panel, and the Illinois State Police Merit Board regarding certification and decertification.

(38) Meetings of the Ad Hoc Statewide Domestic Violence Fatality Review Committee of the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority Board that occur in closed executive session under subsection (d) of Section 35 of the Domestic Violence Fatality Review Act.

(39) Meetings of the regional review teams under subsection (a) of Section 75 of the Domestic Violence Fatality Review Act.

(40) Meetings of the Firearm Owner's Identification Card Review Board under Section 10 of the Firearm Owners Identification Card Act.

(d) Definitions. For purposes of this Section:

"Employee" means a person employed by a public body whose relationship with the public body constitutes an employer-employee relationship under the usual common law rules, and who is not an independent contractor.

"Public office" means a position created by or under the Constitution or laws of this State, the occupant of which is charged with the exercise of some portion of the sovereign power of this State. The term "public office" shall include members of the public body, but it shall not include organizational positions filled by members thereof, whether established by law or by a public body itself, that exist to assist the body in the conduct of its business.

"Quasi-adjudicative body" means an administrative body charged by law or ordinance with the responsibility to conduct hearings, receive evidence or testimony and make determinations based thereon, but does not include local electoral boards when such bodies are considering petition challenges.

(e) Final action. No final action may be taken at a closed meeting. Final action shall be preceded by a public recital of the nature of the matter being considered and other information that will inform the public of the business being conducted.

(Source: P.A. 102-237, eff. 1-1-22; 102-520, eff. 8-20-21; 102-558, eff. 8-20-21; 102-813, eff. 5-13-22; 103-311, eff. 7-28-23.)

Section 8.02. The Freedom of Information Act is amended by changing Section 7.5 as follows:

(5 ILCS 140/7.5)

(Text of Section before amendment by P.A. 103-472)

Sec. 7.5. Statutory exemptions. To the extent provided for by the statutes referenced below, the following shall be exempt from inspection and copying:

(a) All information determined to be confidential under Section 4002 of the Technology Advancement and Development Act.

(b) Library circulation and order records identifying library users with specific materials under the Library Records Confidentiality Act.

(c) Applications, related documents, and medical records received by the Experimental Organ Transplantation Procedures Board and any and all documents or other records prepared by the Experimental Organ Transplantation Procedures Board or its staff relating to applications it has received.

(d) Information and records held by the Department of Public Health and its authorized representatives relating to known or suspected cases of sexually transmissible disease or any information the disclosure of which is restricted under the Illinois Sexually Transmissible Disease Control Act.

(e) Information the disclosure of which is exempted under Section 30 of the Radon Industry Licensing Act.

(f) Firm performance evaluations under Section 55 of the Architectural, Engineering, and Land Surveying Qualifications Based Selection Act.

(g) Information the disclosure of which is restricted and exempted under Section 50 of the Illinois Prepaid Tuition Act.

(h) Information the disclosure of which is exempted under the State Officials and Employees Ethics Act, and records of any lawfully created State or local inspector general's office that would be exempt if created or obtained by an Executive Inspector General's office under that Act.

(i) Information contained in a local emergency energy plan submitted to a municipality in accordance with a local emergency energy plan ordinance that is adopted under Section 11-21.5-5 of the Illinois Municipal Code.

(j) Information and data concerning the distribution of surcharge moneys collected and remitted by carriers under the Emergency Telephone System Act.

(k) Law enforcement officer identification information or driver identification information compiled by a law enforcement agency or the Department of Transportation under Section 11-212 of the Illinois Vehicle Code.

(l) Records and information provided to a residential health care facility resident sexual assault and death review team or the Executive Council under the Abuse Prevention Review Team Act.

(m) Information provided to the predatory lending database created pursuant to Article 3 of the Residential Real Property Disclosure Act, except to the extent authorized under that Article.

(n) Defense budgets and petitions for certification of compensation and expenses for court appointed trial counsel as provided under Sections 10 and 15 of the Capital Crimes Litigation Act (repealed). This subsection (n) shall apply until the conclusion of the trial of the case, even if the prosecution chooses not to pursue the death penalty prior to trial or sentencing.

(o) Information that is prohibited from being disclosed under Section 4 of the Illinois Health and Hazardous Substances Registry Act.

(p) Security portions of system safety program plans, investigation reports, surveys, schedules, lists, data, or information compiled, collected, or prepared by or for the Department of Transportation under Sections 2705-300 and 2705-616 of the Department of Transportation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois, the Regional Transportation Authority under Section 2.11 of the Regional Transportation Authority Act, or the St. Clair County Transit District under the Bi-State Transit Safety Act (repealed).

(q) Information prohibited from being disclosed by the Personnel Record Review Act.

(r) Information prohibited from being disclosed by the Illinois School Student Records Act.

(s) Information the disclosure of which is restricted under Section 5-108 of the Public Utilities Act.

(t) (Blank).

(u) Records and information provided to an independent team of experts under the Developmental Disability and Mental Health Safety Act (also known as Brian's Law).

(v) Names and information of people who have applied for or received Firearm Owner's Identification Cards under the Firearm Owners Identification Card Act or applied for or received a concealed carry license under the Firearm Concealed Carry Act, unless otherwise authorized by the Firearm Concealed Carry Act; and databases under the Firearm Concealed Carry Act, records of the Concealed Carry Licensing Review Board under the Firearm Concealed Carry Act, and law enforcement agency objections under the Firearm Concealed Carry Act.

(v-5) Records of the Firearm Owner's Identification Card Review Board that are exempted from disclosure under Section 10 of the Firearm Owners Identification Card Act.

(w) Personally identifiable information which is exempted from disclosure under subsection (g) of Section 19.1 of the Toll Highway Act.

(x) Information which is exempted from disclosure under Section 5-1014.3 of the Counties Code or Section 8-11-21 of the Illinois Municipal Code.

(y) Confidential information under the Adult Protective Services Act and its predecessor enabling statute, the Elder Abuse and Neglect Act, including information about the identity and administrative finding against any caregiver of a verified and substantiated decision of abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation of an eligible adult maintained in the Registry established under Section 7.5 of the Adult Protective Services Act.

(z) Records and information provided to a fatality review team or the Illinois Fatality Review Team Advisory Council under Section 15 of the Adult Protective Services Act.

(aa) Information which is exempted from disclosure under Section 2.37 of the Wildlife Code.

(bb) Information which is or was prohibited from disclosure by the Juvenile Court Act of 1987.

(cc) Recordings made under the Law Enforcement Officer-Worn Body Camera Act, except to the extent authorized under that Act.

(dd) Information that is prohibited from being disclosed under Section 45 of the Condominium and Common Interest Community Ombudsperson Act.

(ee) Information that is exempted from disclosure under Section 30.1 of the Pharmacy Practice Act.

(ff) Information that is exempted from disclosure under the Revised Uniform Unclaimed Property Act.

(gg) Information that is prohibited from being disclosed under Section 7-603.5 of the Illinois Vehicle Code.

(hh) Records that are exempt from disclosure under Section 1A-16.7 of the Election Code.

(ii) Information which is exempted from disclosure under Section 2505-800 of the Department of Revenue Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois.

(jj) Information and reports that are required to be submitted to the Department of Labor by registering day and temporary labor service agencies but are exempt from disclosure under subsection (a-1) of Section 45 of the Day and Temporary Labor Services Act.

(kk) Information prohibited from disclosure under the Seizure and Forfeiture Reporting Act.

(ll) Information the disclosure of which is restricted and exempted under Section 5-30.8 of the Illinois Public Aid Code.

(mm) Records that are exempt from disclosure under Section 4.2 of the Crime Victims Compensation Act.

(nn) Information that is exempt from disclosure under Section 70 of the Higher Education Student Assistance Act.

(oo) Communications, notes, records, and reports arising out of a peer support counseling session prohibited from disclosure under the First Responders Suicide Prevention Act.

(pp) Names and all identifying information relating to an employee of an emergency services provider or law enforcement agency under the First Responders Suicide Prevention Act.

(qq) Information and records held by the Department of Public Health and its authorized representatives collected under the Reproductive Health Act.

(rr) Information that is exempt from disclosure under the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act.

(ss) Data reported by an employer to the Department of Human Rights pursuant to Section 2-108 of the Illinois Human Rights Act.

(tt) Recordings made under the Children's Advocacy Center Act, except to the extent authorized under that Act.

(uu) Information that is exempt from disclosure under Section 50 of the Sexual Assault Evidence Submission Act.

(vv) Information that is exempt from disclosure under subsections (f) and (j) of Section 5-36 of the Illinois Public Aid Code.

(ww) Information that is exempt from disclosure under Section 16.8 of the State Treasurer Act.

(xx) Information that is exempt from disclosure or information that shall not be made public under the Illinois Insurance Code.

(yy) Information prohibited from being disclosed under the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Act.

(zz) Information prohibited from being disclosed under the Illinois Public Labor Relations Act.

(aaa) Information prohibited from being disclosed under Section 1-167 of the Illinois Pension Code.

(bbb) Information that is prohibited from disclosure by the Illinois Police Training Act and the Illinois State Police Act.

(ccc) Records exempt from disclosure under Section 2605-304 of the Illinois State Police Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois.

(ddd) Information prohibited from being disclosed under Section 35 of the Address Confidentiality for Victims of Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, Human Trafficking, or Stalking Act.

(eee) Information prohibited from being disclosed under subsection (b) of Section 75 of the Domestic Violence Fatality Review Act.

(fff) Images from cameras under the Expressway Camera Act. This subsection (fff) is inoperative on and after July 1, 2025.

(ggg) Information prohibited from disclosure under paragraph (3) of subsection (a) of Section 14 of the Nurse Agency Licensing Act.

(hhh) Information submitted to the Illinois State Police in an affidavit or application for an assault weapon endorsement, assault weapon attachment endorsement, .50 caliber rifle endorsement, or .50 caliber cartridge endorsement under the Firearm Owners Identification Card Act.

(iii) Data exempt from disclosure under Section 50 of the School Safety Drill Act.

(jjj) (hhh) Information exempt from disclosure under Section 30 of the Insurance Data Security Law.

(kkk) (iii) Confidential business information prohibited from disclosure under Section 45 of the Paint Stewardship Act.

(lll) (Reserved).

(mmm) (iii) Information prohibited from being disclosed under subsection (e) of Section 1-129 of the Illinois Power Agency Act.

(Source: P.A. 102-36, eff. 6-25-21; 102-237, eff. 1-1-22; 102-292, eff. 1-1-22; 102-520, eff. 8-20-21; 102-559, eff. 8-20-21; 102-813, eff. 5-13-22; 102-946, eff. 7-1-22; 102-1042, eff. 6-3-22; 102-1116, eff. 1-10-23; 103-8, eff. 6-7-23; 103-34, eff. 6-9-23; 103-142, eff. 1-1-24; 103-372, eff. 1-1-24; 103-508, eff. 8-4-23; 103-580, eff. 12-8-23; revised 1-2-24.)

(Text of Section after amendment by P.A. 103-472)

Sec. 7.5. Statutory exemptions. To the extent provided for by the statutes referenced below, the following shall be exempt from inspection and copying:

(a) All information determined to be confidential under Section 4002 of the Technology Advancement and Development Act.

(b) Library circulation and order records identifying library users with specific materials under the Library Records Confidentiality Act.

(c) Applications, related documents, and medical records received by the Experimental Organ Transplantation Procedures Board and any and all documents or other records prepared by the Experimental Organ Transplantation Procedures Board or its staff relating to applications it has received.

(d) Information and records held by the Department of Public Health and its authorized representatives relating to known or suspected cases of sexually transmissible disease or any information the disclosure of which is restricted under the Illinois Sexually Transmissible Disease Control Act.

(e) Information the disclosure of which is exempted under Section 30 of the Radon Industry Licensing Act.

(f) Firm performance evaluations under Section 55 of the Architectural, Engineering, and Land Surveying Qualifications Based Selection Act.

(g) Information the disclosure of which is restricted and exempted under Section 50 of the Illinois Prepaid Tuition Act.

(h) Information the disclosure of which is exempted under the State Officials and Employees Ethics Act, and records of any lawfully created State or local inspector general's office that would be exempt if created or obtained by an Executive Inspector General's office under that Act.

(i) Information contained in a local emergency energy plan submitted to a municipality in accordance with a local emergency energy plan ordinance that is adopted under Section 11-21.5-5 of the Illinois Municipal Code.

(j) Information and data concerning the distribution of surcharge moneys collected and remitted by carriers under the Emergency Telephone System Act.

(k) Law enforcement officer identification information or driver identification information compiled by a law enforcement agency or the Department of Transportation under Section 11-212 of the Illinois Vehicle Code.

(l) Records and information provided to a residential health care facility resident sexual assault and death review team or the Executive Council under the Abuse Prevention Review Team Act.

(m) Information provided to the predatory lending database created pursuant to Article 3 of the Residential Real Property Disclosure Act, except to the extent authorized under that Article.

(n) Defense budgets and petitions for certification of compensation and expenses for court appointed trial counsel as provided under Sections 10 and 15 of the Capital Crimes Litigation Act (repealed). This subsection (n) shall apply until the conclusion of the trial of the case, even if the prosecution chooses not to pursue the death penalty prior to trial or sentencing.

(o) Information that is prohibited from being disclosed under Section 4 of the Illinois Health and Hazardous Substances Registry Act.

(p) Security portions of system safety program plans, investigation reports, surveys, schedules, lists, data, or information compiled, collected, or prepared by or for the Department of Transportation under Sections 2705-300 and 2705-616 of the Department of Transportation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois, the Metropolitan Mobility Regional Transportation Authority under Section 4.33 of the Metropolitan Mobility Authority Act 2.11 of the Regional Transportation Authority Act, or the St. Clair County Transit District under the Bi-State Transit Safety Act (repealed).

(q) Information prohibited from being disclosed by the Personnel Record Review Act.

(r) Information prohibited from being disclosed by the Illinois School Student Records Act.

(s) Information the disclosure of which is restricted under Section 5-108 of the Public Utilities Act.

(t) (Blank).

(u) Records and information provided to an independent team of experts under the Developmental Disability and Mental Health Safety Act (also known as Brian's Law).

(v) Names and information of people who have applied for or received Firearm Owner's Identification Cards under the Firearm Owners Identification Card Act or applied for or received a concealed carry license under the Firearm Concealed Carry Act, unless otherwise authorized by the Firearm Concealed Carry Act; and databases under the Firearm Concealed Carry Act, records of the Concealed Carry Licensing Review Board under the Firearm Concealed Carry Act, and law enforcement agency objections under the Firearm Concealed Carry Act.

(v-5) Records of the Firearm Owner's Identification Card Review Board that are exempted from disclosure under Section 10 of the Firearm Owners Identification Card Act.

(w) Personally identifiable information which is exempted from disclosure under subsection (g) of Section 19.1 of the Toll Highway Act.

(x) Information which is exempted from disclosure under Section 5-1014.3 of the Counties Code or Section 8-11-21 of the Illinois Municipal Code.

(y) Confidential information under the Adult Protective Services Act and its predecessor enabling statute, the Elder Abuse and Neglect Act, including information about the identity and administrative finding against any caregiver of a verified and substantiated decision of abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation of an eligible adult maintained in the Registry established under Section 7.5 of the Adult Protective Services Act.

(z) Records and information provided to a fatality review team or the Illinois Fatality Review Team Advisory Council under Section 15 of the Adult Protective Services Act.

(aa) Information which is exempted from disclosure under Section 2.37 of the Wildlife Code.

(bb) Information which is or was prohibited from disclosure by the Juvenile Court Act of 1987.

(cc) Recordings made under the Law Enforcement Officer-Worn Body Camera Act, except to the extent authorized under that Act.

(dd) Information that is prohibited from being disclosed under Section 45 of the Condominium and Common Interest Community Ombudsperson Act.

(ee) Information that is exempted from disclosure under Section 30.1 of the Pharmacy Practice Act.

(ff) Information that is exempted from disclosure under the Revised Uniform Unclaimed Property Act.

(gg) Information that is prohibited from being disclosed under Section 7-603.5 of the Illinois Vehicle Code.

(hh) Records that are exempt from disclosure under Section 1A-16.7 of the Election Code.

(ii) Information which is exempted from disclosure under Section 2505-800 of the Department of Revenue Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois.

(jj) Information and reports that are required to be submitted to the Department of Labor by registering day and temporary labor service agencies but are exempt from disclosure under subsection (a-1) of Section 45 of the Day and Temporary Labor Services Act.

(kk) Information prohibited from disclosure under the Seizure and Forfeiture Reporting Act.

(ll) Information the disclosure of which is restricted and exempted under Section 5-30.8 of the Illinois Public Aid Code.

(mm) Records that are exempt from disclosure under Section 4.2 of the Crime Victims Compensation Act.

(nn) Information that is exempt from disclosure under Section 70 of the Higher Education Student Assistance Act.

(oo) Communications, notes, records, and reports arising out of a peer support counseling session prohibited from disclosure under the First Responders Suicide Prevention Act.

(pp) Names and all identifying information relating to an employee of an emergency services provider or law enforcement agency under the First Responders Suicide Prevention Act.

(qq) Information and records held by the Department of Public Health and its authorized representatives collected under the Reproductive Health Act.

(rr) Information that is exempt from disclosure under the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act.

(ss) Data reported by an employer to the Department of Human Rights pursuant to Section 2-108 of the Illinois Human Rights Act.

(tt) Recordings made under the Children's Advocacy Center Act, except to the extent authorized under that Act.

(uu) Information that is exempt from disclosure under Section 50 of the Sexual Assault Evidence Submission Act.

(vv) Information that is exempt from disclosure under subsections (f) and (j) of Section 5-36 of the Illinois Public Aid Code.

(ww) Information that is exempt from disclosure under Section 16.8 of the State Treasurer Act.

(xx) Information that is exempt from disclosure or information that shall not be made public under the Illinois Insurance Code.

(yy) Information prohibited from being disclosed under the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Act.

(zz) Information prohibited from being disclosed under the Illinois Public Labor Relations Act.

(aaa) Information prohibited from being disclosed under Section 1-167 of the Illinois Pension Code.

(bbb) Information that is prohibited from disclosure by the Illinois Police Training Act and the Illinois State Police Act.

(ccc) Records exempt from disclosure under Section 2605-304 of the Illinois State Police Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois.

(ddd) Information prohibited from being disclosed under Section 35 of the Address Confidentiality for Victims of Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, Human Trafficking, or Stalking Act.

(eee) Information prohibited from being disclosed under subsection (b) of Section 75 of the Domestic Violence Fatality Review Act.

(fff) Images from cameras under the Expressway Camera Act. This subsection (fff) is inoperative on and after July 1, 2025.

(ggg) Information prohibited from disclosure under paragraph (3) of subsection (a) of Section 14 of the Nurse Agency Licensing Act.

(hhh) Information submitted to the Illinois State Police in an affidavit or application for an assault weapon endorsement, assault weapon attachment endorsement, .50 caliber rifle endorsement, or .50 caliber cartridge endorsement under the Firearm Owners Identification Card Act.

(iii) Data exempt from disclosure under Section 50 of the School Safety Drill Act.

(jjj) (hhh) Information exempt from disclosure under Section 30 of the Insurance Data Security Law.

(kkk) (iii) Confidential business information prohibited from disclosure under Section 45 of the Paint Stewardship Act.

(lll) (iii) Data exempt from disclosure under Section 2-3.196 of the School Code.

(mmm) (iii) Information prohibited from being disclosed under subsection (e) of Section 1-129 of the Illinois Power Agency Act.

(Source: P.A. 102-36, eff. 6-25-21; 102-237, eff. 1-1-22; 102-292, eff. 1-1-22; 102-520, eff. 8-20-21; 102-559, eff. 8-20-21; 102-813, eff. 5-13-22; 102-946, eff. 7-1-22; 102-1042, eff. 6-3-22; 102-1116, eff. 1-10-23; 103-8, eff. 6-7-23; 103-34, eff. 6-9-23; 103-142, eff. 1-1-24; 103-372, eff. 1-1-24; 103-472, eff. 8-1-24; 103-508, eff. 8-4-23; 103-580, eff. 12-8-23; revised 1-2-24.)

Section 8.03. The Transportation Cooperation Act of 1971 is amended by changing Section 2 as follows:

(5 ILCS 225/2) (from Ch. 111 2/3, par. 602)

Sec. 2. For the purposes of this Act:

(a) "Railroad passenger service" means any railroad passenger service within the State of Illinois, including the equipment and facilities used in connection therewith, with the exception of the basic system operated by the National Railroad Passenger Corporation pursuant to Title II and Section 403(a) of the Federal Rail Passenger Service Act of 1970.

(b) "Federal Railroad Corporation" means the National Railroad Passenger Corporation established pursuant to an Act of Congress known as the "Rail Passenger Service Act of 1970."

(c) "Transportation system" means any and all modes of public transportation within the State, including, but not limited to, transportation of persons or property by rapid transit, rail, bus, and aircraft, and all equipment, facilities and property, real and personal, used in connection therewith.

(d) "Carrier" means any corporation, authority, partnership, association, person or district authorized to maintain a transportation system within the State with the exception of the Federal Railroad Corporation.

(e) "Units of local government" means cities, villages, incorporated towns, counties, municipalities, townships, and special districts, including any district created pursuant to the "Local Mass Transit District Act", approved July 21, 1959, as amended; the Metropolitan Mobility Authority; any Authority created pursuant to the "Metropolitan Transit Authority Act", approved April 12, 1945, as amended; and, any authority, commission, or other entity which by virtue of an interstate compact approved by Congress is authorized to provide mass transportation.

(f) "Universities" means all public institutions of higher education as defined in an "Act creating a Board of Higher Education, defining its powers and duties, making an appropriation therefor, and repealing an Act herein named", approved August 22, 1961, as amended, and all private institutions of higher education as defined in the Illinois Finance Authority Act.

(g) "Department" means the Illinois Department of Transportation, or such other department designated by law to perform the duties and functions of the Illinois Department of Transportation prior to January 1, 1972.

(h) "Association" means any Transportation Service Association created pursuant to Section 4 of this Act.

(i) "Contracting Parties" means any units of local government or universities which have associated and joined together pursuant to Section 3 of this Act.

(j) "Governing authorities" means (1) the city council or similar legislative body of a city; (2) the board of trustees or similar body of a village or incorporated town; (3) the council of a municipality under the commission form of municipal government; (4) the board of trustees in a township; (5) the Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois, the Board of Trustees of Southern Illinois University, the Board of Trustees of Chicago State University, the Board of Trustees of Eastern Illinois University, the Board of Trustees of Governors State University, the Board of Trustees of Illinois State University, the Board of Trustees of Northeastern Illinois University, the Board of Trustees of Northern Illinois University, the Board of Trustees of Western Illinois University, and the Illinois Community College Board; (6) the county board of a county; and (7) the trustees, commissioners, board members, or directors of a university, special district, authority or similar agency.

(Source: P.A. 93-205, eff. 1-1-04.)

Section 8.04. The Illinois Public Labor Relations Act is amended by changing Sections 5 and 15 as follows:

(5 ILCS 315/5) (from Ch. 48, par. 1605)

Sec. 5. Illinois Labor Relations Board; State Panel; Local Panel.

(a) There is created the Illinois Labor Relations Board. The Board shall be comprised of 2 panels, to be known as the State Panel and the Local Panel.

(a-5) The State Panel shall have jurisdiction over collective bargaining matters between employee organizations and the State of Illinois, excluding the General Assembly of the State of Illinois, between employee organizations and units of local government and school districts with a population not in excess of 2 million persons, and between employee organizations and the Metropolitan Mobility Regional Transportation Authority.

The State Panel shall consist of 5 members appointed by the Governor, with the advice and consent of the Senate. The Governor shall appoint to the State Panel only persons who have had a minimum of 5 years of experience directly related to labor and employment relations in representing public employers, private employers or labor organizations; or teaching labor or employment relations; or administering executive orders or regulations applicable to labor or employment relations. At the time of his or her appointment, each member of the State Panel shall be an Illinois resident. The Governor shall designate one member to serve as the Chairman of the State Panel and the Board.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section, the term of each member of the State Panel who was appointed by the Governor and is in office on June 30, 2003 shall terminate at the close of business on that date or when all of the successor members to be appointed pursuant to this amendatory Act of the 93rd General Assembly have been appointed by the Governor, whichever occurs later. As soon as possible, the Governor shall appoint persons to fill the vacancies created by this amendatory Act.

The initial appointments under this amendatory Act of the 93rd General Assembly shall be for terms as follows: The Chairman shall initially be appointed for a term ending on the 4th Monday in January, 2007; 2 members shall be initially appointed for terms ending on the 4th Monday in January, 2006; one member shall be initially appointed for a term ending on the 4th Monday in January, 2005; and one member shall be initially appointed for a term ending on the 4th Monday in January, 2004. Each subsequent member shall be appointed for a term of 4 years, commencing on the 4th Monday in January. Upon expiration of the term of office of any appointive member, that member shall continue to serve until a successor shall be appointed and qualified. In case of a vacancy, a successor shall be appointed to serve for the unexpired portion of the term. If the Senate is not in session at the time the initial appointments are made, the Governor shall make temporary appointments in the same manner successors are appointed to fill vacancies. A temporary appointment shall remain in effect no longer than 20 calendar days after the commencement of the next Senate session.

(b) The Local Panel shall have jurisdiction over collective bargaining agreement matters between employee organizations and units of local government with a population in excess of 2 million persons, but excluding the Metropolitan Mobility Regional Transportation Authority.

The Local Panel shall consist of one person appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate (or, if no such person is appointed, the Chairman of the State Panel) and two additional members, one appointed by the Mayor of the City of Chicago and one appointed by the President of the Cook County Board of Commissioners. Appointees to the Local Panel must have had a minimum of 5 years of experience directly related to labor and employment relations in representing public employers, private employers or labor organizations; or teaching labor or employment relations; or administering executive orders or regulations applicable to labor or employment relations. Each member of the Local Panel shall be an Illinois resident at the time of his or her appointment. The member appointed by the Governor (or, if no such person is appointed, the Chairman of the State Panel) shall serve as the Chairman of the Local Panel.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section, the term of the member of the Local Panel who was appointed by the Governor and is in office on June 30, 2003 shall terminate at the close of business on that date or when his or her successor has been appointed by the Governor, whichever occurs later. As soon as possible, the Governor shall appoint a person to fill the vacancy created by this amendatory Act. The initial appointment under this amendatory Act of the 93rd General Assembly shall be for a term ending on the 4th Monday in January, 2007.

The initial appointments under this amendatory Act of the 91st General Assembly shall be for terms as follows: The member appointed by the Governor shall initially be appointed for a term ending on the 4th Monday in January, 2001; the member appointed by the President of the Cook County Board shall be initially appointed for a term ending on the 4th Monday in January, 2003; and the member appointed by the Mayor of the City of Chicago shall be initially appointed for a term ending on the 4th Monday in January, 2004. Each subsequent member shall be appointed for a term of 4 years, commencing on the 4th Monday in January. Upon expiration of the term of office of any appointive member, the member shall continue to serve until a successor shall be appointed and qualified. In the case of a vacancy, a successor shall be appointed by the applicable appointive authority to serve for the unexpired portion of the term.

(c) Three members of the State Panel shall at all times constitute a quorum. Two members of the Local Panel shall at all times constitute a quorum. A vacancy on a panel does not impair the right of the remaining members to exercise all of the powers of that panel. Each panel shall adopt an official seal which shall be judicially noticed. The salary of the Chairman of the State Panel shall be $82,429 per year, or as set by the Compensation Review Board, whichever is greater, and that of the other members of the State and Local Panels shall be $74,188 per year, or as set by the Compensation Review Board, whichever is greater.

(d) Each member shall devote his or her entire time to the duties of the office, and shall hold no other office or position of profit, nor engage in any other business, employment, or vocation. No member shall hold any other public office or be employed as a labor or management representative by the State or any political subdivision of the State or of any department or agency thereof, or actively represent or act on behalf of an employer or an employee organization or an employer in labor relations matters. Any member of the State Panel may be removed from office by the Governor for inefficiency, neglect of duty, misconduct or malfeasance in office, and for no other cause, and only upon notice and hearing. Any member of the Local Panel may be removed from office by the applicable appointive authority for inefficiency, neglect of duty, misconduct or malfeasance in office, and for no other cause, and only upon notice and hearing.

(e) Each panel at the end of every State fiscal year shall make a report in writing to the Governor and the General Assembly, stating in detail the work it has done in hearing and deciding cases and otherwise.

(f) In order to accomplish the objectives and carry out the duties prescribed by this Act, a panel or its authorized designees may hold elections to determine whether a labor organization has majority status; investigate and attempt to resolve or settle charges of unfair labor practices; hold hearings in order to carry out its functions; develop and effectuate appropriate impasse resolution procedures for purposes of resolving labor disputes; require the appearance of witnesses and the production of evidence on any matter under inquiry; and administer oaths and affirmations. The panels shall sign and report in full an opinion in every case which they decide.

(g) Each panel may appoint or employ an executive director, attorneys, hearing officers, mediators, fact-finders, arbitrators, and such other employees as it may deem necessary to perform its functions. The governing boards shall prescribe the duties and qualifications of such persons appointed and, subject to the annual appropriation, fix their compensation and provide for reimbursement of actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties. The Board shall employ a minimum of 16 attorneys and 6 investigators.

(h) Each panel shall exercise general supervision over all attorneys which it employs and over the other persons employed to provide necessary support services for such attorneys. The panels shall have final authority in respect to complaints brought pursuant to this Act.

(i) The following rules and regulations shall be adopted by the panels meeting in joint session: (1) procedural rules and regulations which shall govern all Board proceedings; (2) procedures for election of exclusive bargaining representatives pursuant to Section 9, except for the determination of appropriate bargaining units; and (3) appointment of counsel pursuant to subsection (k) of this Section.

(j) Rules and regulations may be adopted, amended or rescinded only upon a vote of 5 of the members of the State and Local Panels meeting in joint session. The adoption, amendment or rescission of rules and regulations shall be in conformity with the requirements of the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act.

(k) The panels in joint session shall promulgate rules and regulations providing for the appointment of attorneys or other Board representatives to represent persons in unfair labor practice proceedings before a panel. The regulations governing appointment shall require the applicant to demonstrate an inability to pay for or inability to otherwise provide for adequate representation before a panel. Such rules must also provide: (1) that an attorney may not be appointed in cases which, in the opinion of a panel, are clearly without merit; (2) the stage of the unfair labor proceeding at which counsel will be appointed; and (3) the circumstances under which a client will be allowed to select counsel.

(1) The panels in joint session may promulgate rules and regulations which allow parties in proceedings before a panel to be represented by counsel or any other representative of the party's choice.

(m) The Chairman of the State Panel shall serve as Chairman of a joint session of the panels. Attendance of at least 2 members of the State Panel and at least one member of the Local Panel, in addition to the Chairman, shall constitute a quorum at a joint session. The panels shall meet in joint session at least annually.

(Source: P.A. 96-813, eff. 10-30-09.)

(5 ILCS 315/15) (from Ch. 48, par. 1615)

(Text of Section WITHOUT the changes made by P.A. 98-599, which has been held unconstitutional)

Sec. 15. Act Takes Precedence.

(a) In case of any conflict between the provisions of this Act and any other law (other than Section 5 of the State Employees Group Insurance Act of 1971 and other than the changes made to the Illinois Pension Code by this amendatory Act of the 96th General Assembly), executive order or administrative regulation relating to wages, hours and conditions of employment and employment relations, the provisions of this Act or any collective bargaining agreement negotiated thereunder shall prevail and control. Nothing in this Act shall be construed to replace or diminish the rights of employees established by Sections 4.14 through 4.18 of the Metropolitan Mobility Authority Act Sections 28 and 28a of the Metropolitan Transit Authority Act, Sections 2.15 through 2.19 of the Regional Transportation Authority Act. The provisions of this Act are subject to Section 5 of the State Employees Group Insurance Act of 1971. Nothing in this Act shall be construed to replace the necessity of complaints against a sworn peace officer, as defined in Section 2(a) of the Uniform Peace Officer Disciplinary Act, from having a complaint supported by a sworn affidavit.

(b) Except as provided in subsection (a) above, any collective bargaining contract between a public employer and a labor organization executed pursuant to this Act shall supersede any contrary statutes, charters, ordinances, rules or regulations relating to wages, hours and conditions of employment and employment relations adopted by the public employer or its agents. Any collective bargaining agreement entered into prior to the effective date of this Act shall remain in full force during its duration.

(c) It is the public policy of this State, pursuant to paragraphs (h) and (i) of Section 6 of Article VII of the Illinois Constitution, that the provisions of this Act are the exclusive exercise by the State of powers and functions which might otherwise be exercised by home rule units. Such powers and functions may not be exercised concurrently, either directly or indirectly, by any unit of local government, including any home rule unit, except as otherwise authorized by this Act.

(Source: P.A. 95-331, eff. 8-21-07; 96-889, eff. 1-1-11.)

Section 8.05. The State Employees Group Insurance Act of 1971 is amended by changing Section 2.5 as follows:

(5 ILCS 375/2.5)

Sec. 2.5. Application to Metropolitan Mobility Regional Transportation Authority Board members. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act to the contrary, this Act does not apply to any member of the Regional Transportation Authority Board or the Metropolitan Mobility Authority Board who first becomes a member of either that Board on or after July 23, 2013 (the effective date of Public Act 98-108) with respect to service of either that Board.

(Source: P.A. 98-108, eff. 7-23-13; 98-756, eff. 7-16-14.)

Section 8.06. The State Officials and Employees Ethics Act is amended by changing Sections 1-5, 20-5, 20-10, 75-5, and 75-10 and by changing the heading of Article 75 as follows:

(5 ILCS 430/1-5)

Sec. 1-5. Definitions. As used in this Act:

"Appointee" means a person appointed to a position in or with a State agency, regardless of whether the position is compensated.

"Board members of Regional Development Authorities" means any person appointed to serve on the governing board of a Regional Development Authority.

"Board members of the Regional Transit Board Boards" means any person appointed to serve on the governing board of the Metropolitan Mobility Authority Board a Regional Transit Board.

"Campaign for elective office" means any activity in furtherance of an effort to influence the selection, nomination, election, or appointment of any individual to any federal, State, or local public office or office in a political organization, or the selection, nomination, or election of Presidential or Vice-Presidential electors, but does not include activities (i) relating to the support or opposition of any executive, legislative, or administrative action (as those terms are defined in Section 2 of the Lobbyist Registration Act), (ii) relating to collective bargaining, or (iii) that are otherwise in furtherance of the person's official State duties.

"Candidate" means a person who has filed nominating papers or petitions for nomination or election to an elected State office, or who has been appointed to fill a vacancy in nomination, and who remains eligible for placement on the ballot at either a general primary election or general election.

"Collective bargaining" has the same meaning as that term is defined in Section 3 of the Illinois Public Labor Relations Act.

"Commission" means an ethics commission created by this Act.

"Compensated time" means any time worked by or credited to a State employee that counts toward any minimum work time requirement imposed as a condition of employment with a State agency, but does not include any designated State holidays or any period when the employee is on a leave of absence.

"Compensatory time off" means authorized time off earned by or awarded to a State employee to compensate in whole or in part for time worked in excess of the minimum work time required of that employee as a condition of employment with a State agency.

"Contribution" has the same meaning as that term is defined in Section 9-1.4 of the Election Code.

"Employee" means (i) any person employed full-time, part-time, or pursuant to a contract and whose employment duties are subject to the direction and control of an employer with regard to the material details of how the work is to be performed or (ii) any appointed or elected commissioner, trustee, director, or board member of a board of a State agency, including any retirement system or investment board subject to the Illinois Pension Code or (iii) any other appointee.

"Employment benefits" include but are not limited to the following: modified compensation or benefit terms; compensated time off; or change of title, job duties, or location of office or employment. An employment benefit may also include favorable treatment in determining whether to bring any disciplinary or similar action or favorable treatment during the course of any disciplinary or similar action or other performance review.

"Executive branch constitutional officer" means the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, Comptroller, and Treasurer.

"Gift" means any gratuity, discount, entertainment, hospitality, loan, forbearance, or other tangible or intangible item having monetary value including, but not limited to, cash, food and drink, and honoraria for speaking engagements related to or attributable to government employment or the official position of an employee, member, or officer. The value of a gift may be further defined by rules adopted by the appropriate ethics commission or by the Auditor General for the Auditor General and for employees of the office of the Auditor General.

"Governmental entity" means a unit of local government (including a community college district) or a school district but not a State agency, a Regional Transit Board, or a Regional Development Authority.

"Leave of absence" means any period during which a State employee does not receive (i) compensation for State employment, (ii) service credit towards State pension benefits, and (iii) health insurance benefits paid for by the State.

"Legislative branch constitutional officer" means a member of the General Assembly and the Auditor General.

"Legislative leader" means the President and Minority Leader of the Senate and the Speaker and Minority Leader of the House of Representatives.

"Member" means a member of the General Assembly.

"Officer" means an executive branch constitutional officer or a legislative branch constitutional officer.

"Political" means any activity in support of or in connection with any campaign for elective office or any political organization, but does not include activities (i) relating to the support or opposition of any executive, legislative, or administrative action (as those terms are defined in Section 2 of the Lobbyist Registration Act), (ii) relating to collective bargaining, or (iii) that are otherwise in furtherance of the person's official State duties or governmental and public service functions.

"Political organization" means a party, committee, association, fund, or other organization (whether or not incorporated) that is required to file a statement of organization with the State Board of Elections or a county clerk under Section 9-3 of the Election Code, but only with regard to those activities that require filing with the State Board of Elections or a county clerk.

"Prohibited political activity" means:

(1) Preparing for, organizing, or participating in any political meeting, political rally, political demonstration, or other political event.

(2) Soliciting contributions, including but not limited to the purchase of, selling, distributing, or receiving payment for tickets for any political fundraiser, political meeting, or other political event.

(3) Soliciting, planning the solicitation of, or preparing any document or report regarding any thing of value intended as a campaign contribution.

(4) Planning, conducting, or participating in a public opinion poll in connection with a campaign for elective office or on behalf of a political organization for political purposes or for or against any referendum question.

(5) Surveying or gathering information from potential or actual voters in an election to determine probable vote outcome in connection with a campaign for elective office or on behalf of a political organization for political purposes or for or against any referendum question.

(6) Assisting at the polls on election day on behalf of any political organization or candidate for elective office or for or against any referendum question.

(7) Soliciting votes on behalf of a candidate for elective office or a political organization or for or against any referendum question or helping in an effort to get voters to the polls.

(8) Initiating for circulation, preparing, circulating, reviewing, or filing any petition on behalf of a candidate for elective office or for or against any referendum question.

(9) Making contributions on behalf of any candidate for elective office in that capacity or in connection with a campaign for elective office.

(10) Preparing or reviewing responses to candidate questionnaires in connection with a campaign for elective office or on behalf of a political organization for political purposes.

(11) Distributing, preparing for distribution, or mailing campaign literature, campaign signs, or other campaign material on behalf of any candidate for elective office or for or against any referendum question.

(12) Campaigning for any elective office or for or against any referendum question.

(13) Managing or working on a campaign for elective office or for or against any referendum question.

(14) Serving as a delegate, alternate, or proxy to a political party convention.

(15) Participating in any recount or challenge to the outcome of any election, except to the extent that under subsection (d) of Section 6 of Article IV of the Illinois Constitution each house of the General Assembly shall judge the elections, returns, and qualifications of its members.

"Prohibited source" means any person or entity who:

(1) is seeking official action (i) by the member or officer or (ii) in the case of an employee, by the employee or by the member, officer, State agency, or other employee directing the employee;

(2) does business or seeks to do business (i) with the member or officer or (ii) in the case of an employee, with the employee or with the member, officer, State agency, or other employee directing the employee;

(3) conducts activities regulated (i) by the member or officer or (ii) in the case of an employee, by the employee or by the member, officer, State agency, or other employee directing the employee;

(4) has interests that may be substantially affected by the performance or non-performance of the official duties of the member, officer, or employee;

(5) is registered or required to be registered with the Secretary of State under the Lobbyist Registration Act, except that an entity not otherwise a prohibited source does not become a prohibited source merely because a registered lobbyist is one of its members or serves on its board of directors; or

(6) is an agent of, a spouse of, or an immediate family member who is living with a "prohibited source".

"Regional Development Authority" means the following regional development authorities:

(1) the Central Illinois Economic Development Authority created by the Central Illinois Economic Development Authority Act;

(2) the Eastern Illinois Economic Development Authority created by the Eastern Illinois Economic Development Authority Act;

(3) the Joliet Arsenal Development Authority created by the Joliet Arsenal Development Authority Act;

(4) the Quad Cities Regional Economic Development Authority created by Quad Cities Regional Economic Development Authority Act, approved September 22, 1987;

(5) the Riverdale Development Authority created by the Riverdale Development Authority Act;

(6) the Southeastern Illinois Economic Development Authority created by the Southeastern Illinois Economic Development Authority Act;

(7) the Southern Illinois Economic Development Authority created by the Southern Illinois Economic Development Authority Act;

(8) the Southwestern Illinois Development Authority created by the Southwestern Illinois Development Authority Act;

(9) the Tri-County River Valley Development Authority created by the Tri-County River Valley Development Authority Law;

(10) the Upper Illinois River Valley Development Authority created by the Upper Illinois River Valley Development Authority Act;

(11) the Illinois Urban Development Authority created by the Illinois Urban Development Authority Act;

(12) the Western Illinois Economic Development Authority created by the Western Illinois Economic Development Authority Act; and

(13) the Will-Kankakee Regional Development Authority created by the Will-Kankakee Regional Development Authority Law.

"Regional Transit Board Boards" means (i) the Metropolitan Mobility Authority Board created by the Metropolitan Mobility Authority Act Regional Transportation Authority created by the Regional Transportation Authority Act, (ii) the Suburban Bus Division created by the Regional Transportation Authority Act, (iii) the Commuter Rail Division created by the Regional Transportation Authority Act, and (iv) the Chicago Transit Authority created by the Metropolitan Transit Authority Act.

"State agency" includes all officers, boards, commissions and agencies created by the Constitution, whether in the executive or legislative branch; all officers, departments, boards, commissions, agencies, institutions, authorities, public institutions of higher learning as defined in Section 2 of the Higher Education Cooperation Act (except community colleges), and bodies politic and corporate of the State; and administrative units or corporate outgrowths of the State government which are created by or pursuant to statute, other than units of local government (including community college districts) and their officers, school districts, and boards of election commissioners; and all administrative units and corporate outgrowths of the above and as may be created by executive order of the Governor. "State agency" includes the General Assembly, the Senate, the House of Representatives, the President and Minority Leader of the Senate, the Speaker and Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, the Senate Operations Commission, and the legislative support services agencies. "State agency" includes the Office of the Auditor General. "State agency" does not include the judicial branch.

"State employee" means any employee of a State agency.

"Ultimate jurisdictional authority" means the following:

(1) For members, legislative partisan staff, and legislative secretaries, the appropriate legislative leader: President of the Senate, Minority Leader of the Senate, Speaker of the House of Representatives, or Minority Leader of the House of Representatives.

(2) For State employees who are professional staff or employees of the Senate and not covered under item (1), the Senate Operations Commission.

(3) For State employees who are professional staff or employees of the House of Representatives and not covered under item (1), the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

(4) For State employees who are employees of the legislative support services agencies, the Joint Committee on Legislative Support Services.

(5) For State employees of the Auditor General, the Auditor General.

(6) For State employees of public institutions of higher learning as defined in Section 2 of the Higher Education Cooperation Act (except community colleges), the board of trustees of the appropriate public institution of higher learning.

(7) For State employees of an executive branch constitutional officer other than those described in paragraph (6), the appropriate executive branch constitutional officer.

(8) For State employees not under the jurisdiction of paragraph (1), (2), (3), (4), (5), (6), or (7), the Governor.

(9) (Blank). For employees of Regional Transit Boards, the appropriate Regional Transit Board.

(10) For board members of the Regional Transit Board Boards, the Governor.

(11) For employees of Regional Development Authorities, the appropriate Regional Development Authority.

(12) For board members of Regional Development Authorities, the Governor.

(Source: P.A. 103-517, eff. 8-11-23.)

(5 ILCS 430/20-5)

Sec. 20-5. Executive Ethics Commission.

(a) The Executive Ethics Commission is created.

(b) The Executive Ethics Commission shall consist of 9 commissioners. The Governor shall appoint 5 commissioners, and the Attorney General, Secretary of State, Comptroller, and Treasurer shall each appoint one commissioner. Appointments shall be made by and with the advice and consent of the Senate by three-fifths of the elected members concurring by record vote. Any nomination not acted upon by the Senate within 60 session days of the receipt thereof shall be deemed to have received the advice and consent of the Senate. If, during a recess of the Senate, there is a vacancy in an office of commissioner, the appointing authority shall make a temporary appointment until the next meeting of the Senate when the appointing authority shall make a nomination to fill that office. No person rejected for an office of commissioner shall, except by the Senate's request, be nominated again for that office at the same session of the Senate or be appointed to that office during a recess of that Senate. No more than 5 commissioners may be of the same political party.

The terms of the initial commissioners shall commence upon qualification. Four initial appointees of the Governor, as designated by the Governor, shall serve terms running through June 30, 2007. One initial appointee of the Governor, as designated by the Governor, and the initial appointees of the Attorney General, Secretary of State, Comptroller, and Treasurer shall serve terms running through June 30, 2008. The initial appointments shall be made within 60 days after the effective date of this Act.

After the initial terms, commissioners shall serve for 4-year terms commencing on July 1 of the year of appointment and running through June 30 of the fourth following year. Commissioners may be reappointed to one or more subsequent terms.

Vacancies occurring other than at the end of a term shall be filled by the appointing authority only for the balance of the term of the commissioner whose office is vacant.

Terms shall run regardless of whether the position is filled.

(c) The appointing authorities shall appoint commissioners who have experience holding governmental office or employment and shall appoint commissioners from the general public. A person is not eligible to serve as a commissioner if that person (i) has been convicted of a felony or a crime of dishonesty or moral turpitude, (ii) is, or was within the preceding 12 months, engaged in activities that require registration under the Lobbyist Registration Act, (iii) is related to the appointing authority, or (iv) is a State officer or employee.

(d) The Executive Ethics Commission shall have jurisdiction over all officers and employees of State agencies other than the General Assembly, the Senate, the House of Representatives, the President and Minority Leader of the Senate, the Speaker and Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, the Senate Operations Commission, the legislative support services agencies, and the Office of the Auditor General. The Executive Ethics Commission shall have jurisdiction over all board members and employees of the Regional Transit Board Boards and all board members and employees of Regional Development Authorities. The jurisdiction of the Commission is limited to matters arising under this Act, except as provided in subsection (d-5).

A member or legislative branch State employee serving on an executive branch board or commission remains subject to the jurisdiction of the Legislative Ethics Commission and is not subject to the jurisdiction of the Executive Ethics Commission.

(d-5) The Executive Ethics Commission shall have jurisdiction over all chief procurement officers and procurement compliance monitors and their respective staffs. The Executive Ethics Commission shall have jurisdiction over any matters arising under the Illinois Procurement Code if the Commission is given explicit authority in that Code.

(d-6) (1) The Executive Ethics Commission shall have jurisdiction over the Illinois Power Agency and its staff. The Director of the Agency shall be appointed by a majority of the commissioners of the Executive Ethics Commission, subject to Senate confirmation, for a term of 2 years. The Director is removable for cause by a majority of the Commission upon a finding of neglect, malfeasance, absence, or incompetence.

(2) In case of a vacancy in the office of Director of the Illinois Power Agency during a recess of the Senate, the Executive Ethics Commission may make a temporary appointment until the next meeting of the Senate, at which time the Executive Ethics Commission shall nominate some person to fill the office, and any person so nominated who is confirmed by the Senate shall hold office during the remainder of the term and until his or her successor is appointed and qualified. Nothing in this subsection shall prohibit the Executive Ethics Commission from removing a temporary appointee or from appointing a temporary appointee as the Director of the Illinois Power Agency.

(3) Prior to June 1, 2012, the Executive Ethics Commission may, until the Director of the Illinois Power Agency is appointed and qualified or a temporary appointment is made pursuant to paragraph (2) of this subsection, designate some person as an acting Director to execute the powers and discharge the duties vested by law in that Director. An acting Director shall serve no later than 60 calendar days, or upon the making of an appointment pursuant to paragraph (1) or (2) of this subsection, whichever is earlier. Nothing in this subsection shall prohibit the Executive Ethics Commission from removing an acting Director or from appointing an acting Director as the Director of the Illinois Power Agency.

(4) No person rejected by the Senate for the office of Director of the Illinois Power Agency shall, except at the Senate's request, be nominated again for that office at the same session or be appointed to that office during a recess of that Senate.

(d-7) The Executive Ethics Commission shall have jurisdiction over complainants and respondents in violation of subsection (d) of Section 20-90.

(e) The Executive Ethics Commission must meet, either in person or by other technological means, at least monthly and as often as necessary. At the first meeting of the Executive Ethics Commission, the commissioners shall choose from their number a chairperson and other officers that they deem appropriate. The terms of officers shall be for 2 years commencing July 1 and running through June 30 of the second following year. Meetings shall be held at the call of the chairperson or any 3 commissioners. Official action by the Commission shall require the affirmative vote of 5 commissioners, and a quorum shall consist of 5 commissioners. Commissioners shall receive compensation in an amount equal to the compensation of members of the State Board of Elections and may be reimbursed for their reasonable expenses actually incurred in the performance of their duties.

(f) No commissioner or employee of the Executive Ethics Commission may during his or her term of appointment or employment:

(1) become a candidate for any elective office;

(2) hold any other elected or appointed public office except for appointments on governmental advisory boards or study commissions or as otherwise expressly authorized by law;

(3) be actively involved in the affairs of any political party or political organization; or

(4) advocate for the appointment of another person to an appointed or elected office or position or actively participate in any campaign for any elective office.

(g) An appointing authority may remove a commissioner only for cause.

(h) The Executive Ethics Commission shall appoint an Executive Director. The compensation of the Executive Director shall be as determined by the Commission. The Executive Director of the Executive Ethics Commission may employ and determine the compensation of staff, as appropriations permit.

(i) The Executive Ethics Commission shall appoint, by a majority of the members appointed to the Commission, chief procurement officers and may appoint procurement compliance monitors in accordance with the provisions of the Illinois Procurement Code. The compensation of a chief procurement officer and procurement compliance monitor shall be determined by the Commission.

(Source: P.A. 103-517, eff. 8-11-23.)

(5 ILCS 430/20-10)

Sec. 20-10. Offices of Executive Inspectors General.

(a) Five independent Offices of the Executive Inspector General are created, one each for the Governor, the Attorney General, the Secretary of State, the Comptroller, and the Treasurer. Each Office shall be under the direction and supervision of an Executive Inspector General and shall be a fully independent office with separate appropriations.

(b) The Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, Comptroller, and Treasurer shall each appoint an Executive Inspector General, without regard to political affiliation and solely on the basis of integrity and demonstrated ability. Appointments shall be made by and with the advice and consent of the Senate by three-fifths of the elected members concurring by record vote. Any nomination not acted upon by the Senate within 60 session days of the receipt thereof shall be deemed to have received the advice and consent of the Senate. If, during a recess of the Senate, there is a vacancy in an office of Executive Inspector General, the appointing authority shall make a temporary appointment until the next meeting of the Senate when the appointing authority shall make a nomination to fill that office. No person rejected for an office of Executive Inspector General shall, except by the Senate's request, be nominated again for that office at the same session of the Senate or be appointed to that office during a recess of that Senate.

Nothing in this Article precludes the appointment by the Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, Comptroller, or Treasurer of any other inspector general required or permitted by law. The Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, Comptroller, and Treasurer each may appoint an existing inspector general as the Executive Inspector General required by this Article, provided that such an inspector general is not prohibited by law, rule, jurisdiction, qualification, or interest from serving as the Executive Inspector General required by this Article. An appointing authority may not appoint a relative as an Executive Inspector General.

Each Executive Inspector General shall have the following qualifications:

(1) has not been convicted of any felony under the laws of this State, another State, or the United States;

(2) has earned a baccalaureate degree from an institution of higher education; and

(3) has 5 or more years of cumulative service (A) with a federal, State, or local law enforcement agency, at least 2 years of which have been in a progressive investigatory capacity; (B) as a federal, State, or local prosecutor; (C) as a senior manager or executive of a federal, State, or local agency; (D) as a member, an officer, or a State or federal judge; or (E) representing any combination of items (A) through (D).

The term of each initial Executive Inspector General shall commence upon qualification and shall run through June 30, 2008. The initial appointments shall be made within 60 days after the effective date of this Act.

After the initial term, each Executive Inspector General shall serve for 5-year terms commencing on July 1 of the year of appointment and running through June 30 of the fifth following year. An Executive Inspector General may be reappointed to one or more subsequent terms.

A vacancy occurring other than at the end of a term shall be filled by the appointing authority only for the balance of the term of the Executive Inspector General whose office is vacant.

Terms shall run regardless of whether the position is filled.

(c) The Executive Inspector General appointed by the Attorney General shall have jurisdiction over the Attorney General and all officers and employees of, and vendors and others doing business with, State agencies within the jurisdiction of the Attorney General. The Executive Inspector General appointed by the Secretary of State shall have jurisdiction over the Secretary of State and all officers and employees of, and vendors and others doing business with, State agencies within the jurisdiction of the Secretary of State. The Executive Inspector General appointed by the Comptroller shall have jurisdiction over the Comptroller and all officers and employees of, and vendors and others doing business with, State agencies within the jurisdiction of the Comptroller. The Executive Inspector General appointed by the Treasurer shall have jurisdiction over the Treasurer and all officers and employees of, and vendors and others doing business with, State agencies within the jurisdiction of the Treasurer. The Executive Inspector General appointed by the Governor shall have jurisdiction over (i) the Governor, (ii) the Lieutenant Governor, (iii) all officers and employees of, and vendors and others doing business with, executive branch State agencies under the jurisdiction of the Executive Ethics Commission and not within the jurisdiction of the Attorney General, the Secretary of State, the Comptroller, or the Treasurer, (iv) all board members and employees of the Regional Transit Board Boards and all vendors and others doing business with the Regional Transit Board Boards, and (v) all board members and employees of the Regional Development Authorities and all vendors and others doing business with the Regional Development Authorities.

The jurisdiction of each Executive Inspector General is to investigate allegations of fraud, waste, abuse, mismanagement, misconduct, nonfeasance, misfeasance, malfeasance, or violations of this Act or violations of other related laws and rules.

Each Executive Inspector General shall have jurisdiction over complainants in violation of subsection (e) of Section 20-63 for disclosing a summary report prepared by the respective Executive Inspector General.

(d) The compensation for each Executive Inspector General shall be determined by the Executive Ethics Commission and shall be provided from appropriations made to the Comptroller for this purpose. For terms of office beginning on or after July 1, 2023, each Executive Inspector General shall receive, on July 1 of each year, beginning on July 1, 2024, an increase in salary based on a cost of living adjustment as authorized by Senate Joint Resolution 192 of the 86th General Assembly. Subject to Section 20-45 of this Act, each Executive Inspector General has full authority to organize his or her Office of the Executive Inspector General, including the employment and determination of the compensation of staff, such as deputies, assistants, and other employees, as appropriations permit. A separate appropriation shall be made for each Office of Executive Inspector General.

(e) No Executive Inspector General or employee of the Office of the Executive Inspector General may, during his or her term of appointment or employment:

(1) become a candidate for any elective office;

(2) hold any other elected or appointed public office except for appointments on governmental advisory boards or study commissions or as otherwise expressly authorized by law;

(3) be actively involved in the affairs of any political party or political organization; or

(4) advocate for the appointment of another person to an appointed or elected office or position or actively participate in any campaign for any elective office.

In this subsection an appointed public office means a position authorized by law that is filled by an appointing authority as provided by law and does not include employment by hiring in the ordinary course of business.

(e-1) No Executive Inspector General or employee of the Office of the Executive Inspector General may, for one year after the termination of his or her appointment or employment:

(1) become a candidate for any elective office;

(2) hold any elected public office; or

(3) hold any appointed State, county, or local judicial office.

(e-2) The requirements of item (3) of subsection (e-1) may be waived by the Executive Ethics Commission.

(f) An Executive Inspector General may be removed only for cause and may be removed only by the appointing constitutional officer. At the time of the removal, the appointing constitutional officer must report to the Executive Ethics Commission the justification for the removal.

(Source: P.A. 102-558, eff. 8-20-21; 102-1115, eff. 1-9-23; 103-517, eff. 8-11-23.)

(5 ILCS 430/Art. 75 heading)

ARTICLE 75. REGIONAL TRANSIT BOARD BOARDS

AND REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITIES

(Source: P.A. 103-517, eff. 8-11-23.)

(5 ILCS 430/75-5)

Sec. 75-5. Application of the State Officials and Employees Ethics Act to the Regional Transit Board Boards and Regional Development Authorities.

(a) The provisions of Articles 1, 5, 10, 20, and 50 of this Act, as well as this Article, apply to the Regional Transit Board Boards and Regional Development Authorities. As used in Articles 1, 5, 10, 20, 50, and 75, (i) "appointee" and "officer" include a person appointed to serve on the board of a Regional Transit Board or a board of a Regional Development Authority, and (ii) "employee" and "State employee" include: (A) a full-time, part-time, or contractual employee of a Regional Transit Board or a Regional Development Authority; and (B) Authority leaders of a Regional Development Authority. As used in this subsection, "Authority leader" has the meaning given to that term in the various Acts and Laws creating the Regional Development Authorities.

(b) The Executive Ethics Commission shall have jurisdiction over all board members and employees of the Regional Transit Board Boards and Regional Development Authorities. The Executive Inspector General appointed by the Governor shall have jurisdiction over all board members, employees, vendors, and others doing business with the Regional Transit Board Boards and Regional Development Authorities to investigate allegations of fraud, waste, abuse, mismanagement, misconduct, nonfeasance, misfeasance, malfeasance, or violations of this Act.

(Source: P.A. 103-517, eff. 8-11-23.)

(5 ILCS 430/75-10)

Sec. 75-10. Coordination between Executive Inspector General and Inspectors General appointed by Regional Transit Board Boards.

(a) Nothing in this amendatory Act of the 96th General Assembly precludes the a Regional Transit Board from appointing or employing an Inspector General to serve under the jurisdiction of the a Regional Transit Board to receive complaints and conduct investigations in accordance with an ordinance or resolution adopted by that respective Board, provided he or she is approved by the Executive Ethics Commission. The A Regional Transit Board shall notify the Executive Ethics Commission within 10 days after employing or appointing a person to serve as Inspector General, and the Executive Ethics Commission shall approve or reject the appointment or employment of the Inspector General. Any notification not acted upon by the Executive Ethics Commission within 60 days after its receipt shall be deemed to have received the approval of the Executive Ethics Commission. Within 30 days after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 96th General Assembly, a Regional Transit Board shall notify the Executive Ethics Commission of any person serving on the effective date of this amendatory Act as an Inspector General for the Regional Transit Board, and the Executive Ethics Commission shall approve or reject the appointment or employment within 30 days after receipt of the notification, provided that any notification not acted upon by the Executive Ethics Commission within 30 days shall be deemed to have received approval. No person rejected by the Executive Ethics Commission shall serve as an Inspector General for the a Regional Transit Board for a term of 5 years after being rejected by the Commission. For purposes of this subsection (a), any person appointed or employed by a Transit Board to receive complaints and investigate allegations of fraud, waste, abuse, mismanagement, misconduct, nonfeasance, misfeasance, malfeasance, or violations of this Act shall be considered an Inspector General and shall be subject to approval of the Executive Ethics Commission.

(b) The Executive Inspector General appointed by the Governor shall have exclusive jurisdiction to investigate complaints or allegations of violations of this Act and, in his or her discretion, may investigate other complaints or allegations. Complaints or allegations of a violation of this Act received by an Inspector General appointed or employed by the a Regional Transit Board shall be immediately referred to the Executive Inspector General. The Executive Inspector General shall have authority to assume responsibility and investigate any complaint or allegation received by an Inspector General appointed or employed by the a Regional Transit Board. In the event the Executive Inspector General provides written notification of intent to assume investigatory responsibility for a complaint, allegation, or ongoing investigation, the Inspector General appointed or employed by the a Regional Transit Board shall cease review of the complaint, allegation, or ongoing investigation and provide all information to the Executive Inspector General. The Executive Inspector General may delegate responsibility for an investigation to the Inspector General appointed or employed by the a Regional Transit Board. In the event the Executive Inspector General provides an Inspector General appointed or employed by the a Regional Transit Board with written notification of intent to delegate investigatory responsibility for a complaint, allegation, or ongoing investigation, the Executive Inspector General shall provide all information to the Inspector General appointed or employed by the a Regional Transit Board.

(c) An Inspector General appointed or employed by the a Regional Transit Board shall provide a monthly activity report to the Executive Inspector General indicating:

(1) the total number of complaints or allegations received since the date of the last report and a description of each complaint;

(2) the number of investigations pending as of the reporting date and the status of each investigation;

(3) the number of investigations concluded since the date of the last report and the result of each investigation; and

(4) the status of any investigation delegated by the Executive Inspector General.

An Inspector General appointed or employed by the a Regional Transit Board and the Executive Inspector General shall cooperate and share resources or information as necessary to implement the provisions of this Article.

(d) Reports filed under this Section are exempt from the Freedom of Information Act and shall be deemed confidential. Investigatory files and reports prepared by the Office of the Executive Inspector General and the Office of an Inspector General appointed or employed by the a Regional Transit Board may be disclosed between the Offices as necessary to implement the provisions of this Article.

(Source: P.A. 96-1528, eff. 7-1-11.)

Section 8.07. The Illinois Act on the Aging is amended by changing Section 4.15 as follows:

(20 ILCS 105/4.15)

Sec. 4.15. Eligibility determinations.

(a) The Department is authorized to make eligibility determinations for benefits administered by other governmental bodies based on the Senior Citizens and Persons with Disabilities Property Tax Relief Act as follows:

(i) for the Secretary of State with respect to reduced fees paid by qualified vehicle owners under the Illinois Vehicle Code;

(ii) for special districts that offer free fixed-route fixed route public transportation services for qualified older adults under the Local Mass Transit District Act, the Metropolitan Transit Authority Act, and the Metropolitan Mobility Regional Transportation Authority Act; and

(iii) for special districts that offer transit services for qualified individuals with disabilities under the Local Mass Transit District Act, the Metropolitan Transit Authority Act, and the Metropolitan Mobility Regional Transportation Authority Act.

(b) The Department shall establish the manner by which claimants shall apply for these benefits. The Department is authorized to promulgate rules regarding the following matters: the application cycle; the application process; the content for an electronic application; required personal identification information; acceptable proof of eligibility as to age, disability status, marital status, residency, and household income limits; household composition; calculating income; use of social security numbers; duration of eligibility determinations; and any other matters necessary for such administrative operations.

(c) All information received by the Department from an application or from any investigation to determine eligibility for benefits shall be confidential, except for official purposes.

(d) A person may not under any circumstances charge a fee to a claimant for assistance in completing an application form for these benefits.

(Source: P.A. 98-887, eff. 8-15-14; 99-143, eff. 7-27-15.)

Section 8.08. The Department of Public Health Powers and Duties Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois is amended by changing Section 2310-55.5 as follows:

(20 ILCS 2310/2310-55.5)

Sec. 2310-55.5. Free and reduced fare services. The Metropolitan Mobility Regional Transportation Authority shall monthly provide the Department with a list of riders that receive free or reduced fares under the Metropolitan Mobility Regional Transportation Authority Act. The list shall include an individual's name, address, and date of birth. The Department shall, within 2 weeks after receipt of the list, report back to the Metropolitan Mobility Regional Transportation Authority any discrepancies that indicate that a rider receiving free or reduced fare services is deceased.

(Source: P.A. 97-781, eff. 1-1-13.)

(20 ILCS 2605/2605-340 rep.)

Section 8.09. The Illinois State Police Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois is amended by repealing Section 2605-340.

Section 8.10. The Department of Transportation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois is amended by changing Sections 2705-203, 2705-300, 2705-305, 2705-310, 2705-315, and 2705-440 and by adding Section 2705-594 as follows:

(20 ILCS 2705/2705-203)

Sec. 2705-203. Transportation asset management plan and performance-based programming.

(a) The General Assembly declares it to be in the public interest that a project prioritization process be developed and implemented to: improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the State's transportation system and transportation safety; enhance movement and multi-modal connections of people and goods; mitigate environmental impacts; and promote inclusive economic growth throughout the State.

(b) In accordance with Section 2705-200, the Department of Transportation shall develop and publish a statewide multi-modal transportation improvement program for all transportation facilities under its jurisdiction. The development of the program shall use the following methods:

(1) use transportation system information to make investment and policy decisions to achieve statewide and regional performance goals established in the State's long-range transportation plan;

(2) ensure transportation investment decisions emerge from an objective and quantifiable technical analysis;

(3) evaluate the need and financial support necessary for maintaining, expanding, and modernizing existing transportation infrastructure;

(4) ensure that all State transportation funds invested are directed to support progress toward the achievement of performance targets established in the State's long-range transportation plan;

(5) make investment decisions transparent and accessible to the public;

(6) consider emissions and increase infrastructure resilience to climate change; and

(7) reduce disparities in transportation system performance experienced by racially marginalized communities, low-income to moderate-income consumers, and other disadvantaged groups and populations identified under the Environmental Justice Act.

(c) The Department shall develop a risk-based, statewide highway system asset management plan in accordance with 23 U.S.C. 119 and 23 CFR Part 515 to preserve and improve the condition of highway and bridge assets and enhance the performance of the system while minimizing the life-cycle cost. The asset management plan shall be made publicly available on the Department's website.

(d) The Department shall develop a needs-based transit asset management plan for State-supported public transportation assets, including vehicles, facilities, equipment, and other infrastructure in accordance with 49 CFR Part 625. The goal of the transit asset management plan is to preserve and modernize capital transit assets that will enhance the performance of the transit system. Federally required transit asset management plans developed by the Metropolitan Mobility Authority Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) or service boards, as defined in Section 1.03 of the Regional Transportation Authority Act, shall become the transportation asset management plans for all public transportation assets owned and operated by the Authority service boards. The Department's transit asset management plan shall be made publicly available on the Department's website. The Metropolitan Mobility Authority RTA shall be responsible for making public transit asset management plans for its service area publicly available.

(e) The Department shall develop a performance-based project selection process to prioritize taxpayer investment in State-owned transportation assets that add capacity. The goal of the process is to select projects through an evaluation process. This process shall provide the ability to prioritize projects based on geographic regions. The Department shall solicit input from localities, metropolitan planning organizations, transit authorities, transportation authorities, representatives of labor and private businesses, the public, community-based organizations, and other stakeholders in its development of the prioritization process pursuant to this subsection.

The selection process shall include a defined public process by which candidate projects are evaluated and selected. The process shall include both a quantitative analysis of the evaluation factors and qualitative review by the Department. The Department may apply different weights to the performance measures based on regional geography or project type. Projects selected as part of the process will be considered for inclusion in the State's multi-year transportation program and the annual element of the multi-year program. Starting April 1, 2022, no new capacity project shall be included in the multi-year transportation plan or annual element without being evaluated under the selection process described in this Section. Existing projects in the multi-year highway improvement program may be included regardless of the outcome of using the performance-based project selection tool. The policies that guide the performance-based project selection process shall be derived from State and regional long-range transportation plans. The Department shall certify that it is making progress toward the goals included in the State's long-range transportation plan. All plan and program development based on the project selection process described in this subsection shall include consideration of regional balance. The selection process shall be based on an objective and quantifiable analysis that considers, at a minimum, the goals identified in the long-range transportation plan and shall:

(1) consider emissions and increase infrastructure resilience due to climate change; and

(2) reduce disparities in transportation system performance experienced by racially marginalized communities, low-income to moderate-income consumers, and other disadvantaged groups and populations identified under the Environmental Justice Act.

(f) The prioritization process developed under subsection (e) may apply only to State jurisdiction projects and not to:

(1) projects funded by the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement funds apportioned to the State pursuant to 23 U.S.C. 104(b)(4) and State matching funds;

(2) projects funded by the Highway Safety Improvement Program funds apportioned to the State pursuant to 23 U.S.C. 104(b)(3) and State matching funds;

(3) projects funded by the Transportation Alternatives funds set-aside pursuant to 23 U.S.C. 133(h) and State matching funds;

(4) projects funded by the National Highway Freight Program pursuant to 23 U.S.C. 167 and State matching funds;

(5) funds to be allocated to urban areas based on population under federal law; and

(6) any new federal program that requires competitive selection, distribution to local public agencies, or specific eligibility.

(g) A summary of the project evaluation process, measures, program, and scores for all candidate projects shall be published on the Department website in a timely manner.

(Source: P.A. 102-573, eff. 8-24-21.)

(20 ILCS 2705/2705-300) (was 20 ILCS 2705/49.18)

Sec. 2705-300. Powers concerning mass transportation. The Department has the power to do the following:

(1) Advise and assist the Governor and the General Assembly in formulating (i) a mass transportation policy for the State, (ii) proposals designed to help meet and resolve special problems of mass transportation within the State, and (iii) programs of assistance for the comprehensive planning, development, and administration of mass transportation facilities and services.

(2) Appear and participate in proceedings before any federal, State, or local regulatory agency involving or affecting mass transportation in the State.

(3) Study mass transportation problems and provide technical assistance to units of local government.

(4) Encourage experimentation in developing new mass transportation facilities and services.

(5) Recommend policies, programs, and actions designed to improve utilization of mass transportation services.

(6) Cooperate with mass transit districts and systems, local governments, and other State agencies in meeting those problems of air, noise, and water pollution associated with transportation.

(7) Participate fully in a statewide effort to improve transport safety, including, as the designated State agency responsible for overseeing the safety and security of rail fixed guideway public transportation systems in compliance with 49 U.S.C. 5329 and 49 U.S.C. 5330:

(A) developing, adopting, and implementing a system safety program standard and procedures meeting the compliance requirements of 49 U.S.C. 5329 and 49 U.S.C. 5330, as now or hereafter amended, for the safety and security of rail fixed guideway public transportation systems within the State; and

(B) establishing procedures in accordance with 49 U.S.C. 5329 and 49 U.S.C. 5330 to review, approve, oversee, investigate, audit, and enforce all other necessary and incidental functions related to the effectuation of 49 U.S.C. 5329 and 49 U.S.C. 5330, or other federal law, pertaining to public transportation oversight. The Department may contract for the services of a qualified consultant to comply with this subsection.

The security portion of the system safety program, investigation reports, surveys, schedules, lists, or data compiled, collected, or prepared by or for the Department under this subsection shall not be subject to discovery or admitted into evidence in federal or State court or considered for other purposes in any civil action for damages arising from any matter mentioned or addressed in such reports, surveys, schedules, lists, data, or information. Except for willful or wanton conduct, neither the Department nor its employees, nor the Metropolitan Mobility Regional Transportation Authority, nor the St. Clair County Transit District, nor any mass transit district nor service board subject to this Section, nor their respective directors, officers, or employees, shall be held liable in any civil action for any injury to or death of any person or loss of or damage to property for any act, omission, or failure to act under this Section or 49 U.S.C. 5329 or 49 U.S.C. 5330 as now or hereafter amended.

(8) Conduct by contract or otherwise technical studies, and demonstration and development projects which shall be designed to test and develop methods for increasing public use of mass transportation and for providing mass transportation in an efficient, coordinated, and convenient manner.

(9) Make applications for, receive, and make use of grants for mass transportation.

(10) Make grants for mass transportation from the Transportation Fund pursuant to the standards and procedures of Sections 2705-305 and 2705-310.

Nothing in this Section alleviates an individual's duty to comply with the State Officials and Employees Ethics Act.

(Source: P.A. 102-559, eff. 8-20-21.)

(20 ILCS 2705/2705-305)

Sec. 2705-305. Grants for mass transportation.

(a) For the purpose of mass transportation grants and contracts, the following definitions apply:

"Carrier" means any corporation, authority, partnership, association, person, or district authorized to provide mass transportation within the State.

"District" means all of the following:

(i) Any district created pursuant to the Local Mass Transit District Act.

(ii) (Blank). The Authority created pursuant to the Metropolitan Transit Authority Act.

(iii) Any authority, commission, or other entity that by virtue of an interstate compact approved by Congress is authorized to provide mass transportation.

(iv) The Authority created pursuant to the Metropolitan Mobility Regional Transportation Authority Act.

"Facilities" comprise all real and personal property used in or appurtenant to a mass transportation system, including parking lots.

"Mass transportation" means transportation provided within the State of Illinois by rail, bus, or other conveyance and available to the general public on a regular and continuing basis, including the transportation of persons with disabilities or elderly persons as provided more specifically in Section 2705-310.

"Unit of local government" means any city, village, incorporated town, or county.

(b) Grants may be made to units of local government, districts, and carriers for the acquisition, construction, extension, reconstruction, and improvement of mass transportation facilities. Grants shall be made upon the terms and conditions that in the judgment of the Secretary are necessary to ensure their proper and effective utilization.

(c) The Department shall make grants under this Law in a manner designed, so far as is consistent with the maintenance and development of a sound mass transportation system within the State, to: (i) maximize federal funds for the assistance of mass transportation in Illinois under the Federal Transit Act and other federal Acts; (ii) facilitate the movement of persons who because of age, economic circumstance, or physical infirmity are unable to drive; (iii) contribute to an improved environment through the reduction of air, water, and noise pollution; and (iv) reduce traffic congestion.

(d) The Secretary shall establish procedures for making application for mass transportation grants. The procedures shall provide for public notice of all applications and give reasonable opportunity for the submission of comments and objections by interested parties. The procedures shall be designed with a view to facilitating simultaneous application for a grant to the Department and to the federal government.

(e) Grants may be made for mass transportation projects as follows:

(1) In an amount not to exceed 100% of the nonfederal share of projects for which a federal grant is made.

(2) In an amount not to exceed 100% of the net project cost for projects for which a federal grant is not made.

(3) In an amount not to exceed five-sixths of the net project cost for projects essential for the maintenance of a sound transportation system and eligible for federal assistance for which a federal grant application has been made but a federal grant has been delayed. If and when a federal grant is made, the amount in excess of the nonfederal share shall be promptly returned to the Department.

In no event shall the Department make a grant that, together with any federal funds or funds from any other source, is in excess of 100% of the net project cost.

(f) Regardless of whether any funds are available under a federal grant, the Department shall not make a mass transportation grant unless the Secretary finds that the recipient has entered into an agreement with the Department in which the recipient agrees not to engage in school bus operations exclusively for the transportation of students and school personnel in competition with private school bus operators where those private school bus operators are able to provide adequate transportation, at reasonable rates, in conformance with applicable safety standards, provided that this requirement shall not apply to a recipient that operates a school system in the area to be served and operates a separate and exclusive school bus program for the school system.

(g) Grants may be made for mass transportation purposes with funds appropriated from the Build Illinois Bond Fund consistent with the specific purposes for which those funds are appropriated by the General Assembly. Grants under this subsection (g) are not subject to any limitations or conditions imposed upon grants by any other provision of this Section, except that the Secretary may impose the terms and conditions that in his or her judgment are necessary to ensure the proper and effective utilization of the grants under this subsection.

(h) The Department may let contracts for mass transportation purposes and facilities for the purpose of reducing urban congestion funded in whole or in part with bonds described in subdivision (b)(1) of Section 4 of the General Obligation Bond Act, not to exceed $75,000,000 in bonds.

(i) The Department may make grants to carriers, districts, and units of local government for the purpose of reimbursing them for providing reduced fares for mass transportation services for students, persons with disabilities, and the elderly. Grants shall be made upon the terms and conditions that in the judgment of the Secretary are necessary to ensure their proper and effective utilization.

(j) The Department may make grants to carriers, districts, and units of local government for costs of providing ADA paratransit service.

(Source: P.A. 99-143, eff. 7-27-15.)

(20 ILCS 2705/2705-310)

Sec. 2705-310. Grants for transportation for persons with disabilities.

(a) For the purposes of this Section, the following definitions apply:

"Carrier" means a district or a not for profit corporation providing mass transportation for persons with disabilities on a regular and continuing basis.

"Person with a disability" means any individual who, by reason of illness, injury, age, congenital malfunction, or other permanent or temporary incapacity or disability, is unable without special mass transportation facilities or special planning or design to utilize ordinary mass transportation facilities and services as effectively as persons who are not so affected.

"Unit of local government", "district", and "facilities" have the meanings ascribed to them in Section 2705-305.

(b) The Department may make grants from the Transportation Fund and the General Revenue Fund (i) to units of local government, districts, and carriers for vehicles, equipment, and the acquisition, construction, extension, reconstruction, and improvement of mass transportation facilities for persons with disabilities and (ii) during State fiscal years 1986 and 1987, to the Regional Transportation Authority (now the Metropolitan Mobility Authority) for operating assistance for mass transportation for mobility limited persons, including paratransit services for the mobility limited. The grants shall be made upon the terms and conditions that in the judgment of the Secretary are necessary to ensure their proper and effective utilization. The procedures, limitations, and safeguards provided in Section 2705-305 to govern grants for mass transportation shall apply to grants made under this Section.

For the efficient administration of grants, the Department, on behalf of grant recipients under this Section and on behalf of recipients receiving funds under Sections 5309 and 5311 of the Federal Transit Act and State funds, may administer and consolidate procurements and may enter into contracts with manufacturers of vehicles and equipment.

(c) The Department may make operating assistance grants from the Transportation Fund to those carriers that, during federal fiscal year 1986, directly received operating assistance pursuant to Section 5307 or Section 5311 of the Federal Transit Act, or under contracts with a unit of local government or mass transit district that received operating expenses under Section 5307 or Section 5311 of the Federal Transit Act, to provide public paratransit services to the general mobility limited population. The Secretary shall take into consideration the reduction in federal operating expense grants to carriers when considering the grant applications. The procedures, limitations, and safeguards provided in Section 2705-305 to govern grants for mass transportation shall apply to grants made under this Section.

(Source: P.A. 99-143, eff. 7-27-15.)

(20 ILCS 2705/2705-315) (was 20 ILCS 2705/49.19b)

Sec. 2705-315. Grants for passenger security. The Department may make grants from the Transportation Fund and the General Revenue Fund to the Metropolitan Mobility Regional Transportation Authority created under the Metropolitan Mobility Regional Transportation Authority Act to be used to provide protection against crime for the consumers of public transportation, and for the employees and facilities of public transportation providers, in the metropolitan region. The grants may be used (1) to provide that protection directly, or (2) to contract with any municipality or county in the metropolitan region to provide that protection, or (3) except for the Chicago Transit Authority created under the Metropolitan Transit Authority Act, to contract with a private security agency to provide that protection.

The grants shall be made upon the terms and conditions that in the judgment of the Secretary are necessary to ensure their proper and effective utilization. The procedures provided in Section 2705-305 to govern grants for mass transportation shall apply to grants made under this Section.

(Source: P.A. 91-239, eff. 1-1-00.)

(20 ILCS 2705/2705-440) (was 20 ILCS 2705/49.25h)

Sec. 2705-440. Intercity Rail Service.

(a) For the purposes of providing intercity railroad passenger service within this State and throughout the United States, the Department is authorized to enter into agreements with any state, state agency, units of local government or political subdivisions, Metropolitan Mobility Authority the Commuter Rail Division of the Regional Transportation Authority (or a public corporation on behalf of that Authority Division), architecture or engineering firms, the National Railroad Passenger Corporation, any carrier, or any individual, corporation, partnership, or public or private entity. The cost related to such services shall be borne in such proportion as, by agreement or contract the parties may desire.

(b) In providing any intercity railroad passenger service as provided in this Section, the Department shall have the following additional powers:

(1) to enter into trackage use agreements with rail carriers;

(1.5) to freely lease or otherwise contract for any purpose any of the locomotives, passenger railcars, and other rolling stock equipment or accessions to any state or state agency, public or private entity, or quasi-public entities;

(2) to enter into haulage agreements with rail carriers;

(3) to lease or otherwise contract for use, maintenance, servicing, and repair of any needed locomotives, rolling stock, stations, or other facilities, the lease or contract having a term not to exceed 50 years (but any multi-year contract shall recite that the contract is subject to termination and cancellation, without any penalty, acceleration payment, or other recoupment mechanism, in any fiscal year for which the General Assembly fails to make an adequate appropriation to cover the contract obligation);

(4) to enter into management agreements;

(5) to include in any contract indemnification of carriers or other parties for any liability with regard to intercity railroad passenger service;

(6) to obtain insurance for any losses or claims with respect to the service;

(7) to promote the use of the service;

(8) to make grants to any body politic and corporate, any unit of local government, or the Metropolitan Mobility Authority Commuter Rail Division of the Regional Transportation Authority to cover all or any part of any capital or operating costs of the service and to enter into agreements with respect to those grants;

(9) to set any fares or make other regulations with respect to the service, consistent with any contracts for the service; and

(10) to otherwise enter into any contracts necessary or convenient to provide rail services, operate or maintain locomotives, passenger railcars, and other rolling stock equipment or accessions, including the lease or use of such locomotives, railcars, equipment, or accessions.

(c) All service provided under this Section shall be exempt from all regulations by the Illinois Commerce Commission (other than for safety matters). To the extent the service is provided by the Metropolitan Mobility Authority Commuter Rail Division of the Regional Transportation Authority (or a public corporation on behalf of that Authority Division), it shall be exempt from safety regulations of the Illinois Commerce Commission to the extent the Authority Commuter Rail Division adopts its own safety regulations.

(d) In connection with any powers exercised under this Section, the Department

(1) shall not have the power of eminent domain; and

(2) shall not directly operate any railroad service with its own employees.

(e) Any contract with the Metropolitan Mobility Authority Commuter Rail Division of the Regional Transportation Authority (or a public corporation on behalf of the Authority Division) under this Section shall provide that all costs in excess of revenue received by the Division generated from intercity rail service provided by the Division shall be fully borne by the Department, and no funds for operation of commuter rail service shall be used, directly or indirectly, or for any period of time, to subsidize the intercity rail operation. If at any time the Division does not have sufficient funds available to satisfy the requirements of this Section, the Division shall forthwith terminate the operation of intercity rail service. The payments made by the Department to the Division for the intercity rail passenger service shall not be made in excess of those costs or as a subsidy for costs of commuter rail operations. This shall not prevent the contract from providing for efficient coordination of service and facilities to promote cost-effective cost effective operations of both intercity rail passenger service and commuter rail services with cost allocations as provided in this paragraph.

(f) Whenever the Department enters into an agreement with any carrier, state or state agency, any public or private entity, or quasi-public entity for either the Department's payment of such railroad required maintenance expenses necessary for intercity passenger service or for the lease or use of locomotives, passenger railcars, and other rolling stock equipment or accessions, the Department may deposit such required maintenance funds, use fees, or rental payments into any escrow account. For purposes of this subsection, an escrow account means any fiduciary account established with (i) any banking corporation which is both organized under the Illinois Banking Act and authorized to accept and administer trusts in this State, or (ii) any national banking association which has its principal place of business in this State and which also is authorized to accept and administer trusts in this State. The funds in any required maintenance escrow account may be withdrawn by the carrier or entity in control of the railroad being maintained, only with the consent of the Department, pursuant to a written maintenance agreement and pursuant to a maintenance plan that shall be updated each year. Funds in an escrow account holding lease, use fees, or rental payments may be withdrawn by the Department to be used or expended on acquisition, offsets, overhaul fees, or costs of locomotives, railcars, equipment or accessions, including any future equipment purchase, expenses, fees, or costs, or any other purpose permitted or required by the escrow agreement or any other agreement regarding disbursement of funds. The moneys deposited in the escrow accounts shall be invested and reinvested, pursuant to the direction of the Department, in bonds and other interest bearing obligations of this State, or in such accounts, certificates, bills, obligations, shares, pools or other securities as are authorized for the investment of public funds under the Public Funds Investment Act. Escrow accounts created under this subsection shall not have terms that exceed 20 years. At the end of the term of an escrow account, the remaining balance shall be deposited in the High-Speed Rail Rolling Stock Fund, a special fund that is created in the State treasury Treasury. Moneys in the High-Speed Rail Rolling Stock Fund may be used for any purpose related to locomotives, passenger railcars, and other rolling stock equipment. The Department shall prepare a report for presentation to the Comptroller and the Treasurer each year that shows the amounts deposited and withdrawn, the purposes for withdrawal, the balance, and the amounts derived from investment.

(Source: P.A. 100-773, eff. 1-1-19.)

(20 ILCS 2705/2705-594 new)

Sec. 2705-594. Office of Public Transportation Support.

(a) As used in this Section, "metropolitan region" has the meaning given to that term in the Metropolitan Mobility Authority Act.

(b) The Department shall establish, staff, and support an Office of Public Transportation Support within District 1. The Office's purpose is to optimize the operation of public transportation vehicles and the delivery of public transportation services on highways, as defined by Section 2-202 of the Illinois Highway Code, under the Department's jurisdiction in the metropolitan region.

(c) The Office of Public Transportation Support shall have the following duties:

(1) reviewing Department plans for the construction, rehabilitation, and repair of roadways under the Department's jurisdiction to identify opportunities for enhancements that will improve public transportation operations and safety on such highways, and making recommendations for implementing such enhancements;

(2) reviewing the plans by other governmental entities for the construction, rehabilitation, and repair of highways under the Department's jurisdiction or that intersect with such highways to identify opportunities for enhancements that will improve public transportation operations and safety on such highways, and making recommendations for implementing such enhancements;

(3) facilitating the implementation of intelligent transportation system solutions, such as bus priority at signalized intersections, to improve public transportation vehicle operations and safety on highways under the Department's jurisdiction;

(4) facilitating the implementation of highway infrastructure enhancements such as sidewalks, bus shelters, and bicycle paths and lanes that help connect people to public transportation services on highways under the Department's jurisdiction;

(5) identifying and pursuing grant funding opportunities for projects that will improve public transportation operations and safety on highways under the Department's jurisdiction;

(6) coordinating with the Metropolitan Mobility Authority on the implementation of bus speed and reliability improvements and other enhancements to highways under the Department's jurisdiction to improve public transportation operations and safety; and

(7) coordinating with the Metropolitan Mobility Authority on the pursuit of grant opportunities for projects that will improve public transportation on highways under the Department's jurisdiction.

(d) To fulfill its obligations under this Section, and notwithstanding any of its current policies and practices to the contrary, the Department shall in its design and operation of highways under its jurisdiction in the metropolitan region give priority to public transportation vehicles and other vehicles, such as school buses, designed to carry a sizable number of people over the priority the Department gives to standard light duty vehicles typically used to carry one or a few people at a time.

(e) The Department shall prioritize maximizing the throughput of people on highways under its jurisdiction in the metropolitan region where public transportation is provided or planned over maximizing the number and speeds of vehicles on such highways.

(f) On highways in the metropolitan region under its jurisdiction served by public transportation or where public transportation is planned, the Department shall identify and implement highway design, infrastructure, and operations enhancements that maximize the attractiveness and efficacy of public transportation compared to travel by single occupancy vehicles on such highways and coordinate with the Metropolitan Mobility Authority on such enhancements.

(g) The Department shall give the Metropolitan Mobility Authority a timely opportunity to review, comment, and concur on plans for the construction, rehabilitation, or repair of highways under the jurisdiction of the Department in the metropolitan region where public transportation is being provided or is planned by the Metropolitan Mobility Authority.

(h) The Department shall not advance a project subject to the process set forth in subsections (d) through (g) to construction until it has received the Metropolitan Mobility Authority's concurrence.

(i) The Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning shall make appropriate changes to its travel demand model, project scoring and prioritization processes, long-range plan, and transportation improvement program to reflect the requirements of subsections (d) through (h).

Section 8.11. The Illinois Finance Authority Act is amended by changing Section 820-50 as follows:

(20 ILCS 3501/820-50)

Sec. 820-50. Pledge of Funds by Units of Local Government.

(a) Pledge of Funds. Any unit of local government which receives funds from the Department of Revenue, including without limitation funds received pursuant to Sections 8-11-1, 8-11-1.4, 8-11-5 or 8-11-6 of the Illinois Municipal Code, the Home Rule County Retailers' Occupation Tax Act, the Home Rule County Service Occupation Tax Act, Sections 25.05-2, 25.05-3 or 25.05-10 of "An Act to revise the law in relation to counties", Section 5.01 of the Local Mass Transit District Act, Section 4.03 of the Metropolitan Mobility Regional Transportation Authority Act, Sections 2 or 12 of the State Revenue Sharing Act, or from the Department of Transportation pursuant to Section 8 of the Motor Fuel Tax Law, or from the State Superintendent of Education (directly or indirectly through regional superintendents of schools) pursuant to Article 18 of the School Code, or any unit of government which receives other funds which are at any time in the custody of the State Treasurer, the State Comptroller, the Department of Revenue, the Department of Transportation or the State Superintendent of Education may by appropriate proceedings, pledge to the Authority or any entity acting on behalf of the Authority (including, without limitation, any trustee), any or all of such receipts to the extent that such receipts are necessary to provide revenues to pay the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on, and other fees related to, or to secure, any of the local government securities of such unit of local government which have been sold or delivered to the Authority or its designee or to pay lease rental payments to be made by such unit of local government to the extent that such lease rental payments secure the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on, and other fees related to, any local government securities which have been sold or delivered to the Authority or its designee. Any pledge of such receipts (or any portion thereof) shall constitute a first and prior lien thereon and shall be binding from the time the pledge is made.

(b) Direct Payment of Pledged Receipts. Any such unit of local government may, by such proceedings, direct that all or any of such pledged receipts payable to such unit of local government be paid directly to the Authority or such other entity (including, without limitation, any trustee) for the purpose of paying the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on, and fees relating to, such local government securities or for the purpose of paying such lease rental payments to the extent necessary to pay the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on, and other fees related to, such local government securities secured by such lease rental payments. Upon receipt of a certified copy of such proceedings by the State Treasurer, the State Comptroller, the Department of Revenue, the Department of Transportation or the State Superintendent of Education, as the case may be, such Department or State Superintendent shall direct the State Comptroller and State Treasurer to pay to, or on behalf of, the Authority or such other entity (including, without limitation, any trustee) all or such portion of the pledged receipts from the Department of Revenue, or the Department of Transportation or the State Superintendent of Education (directly or indirectly through regional superintendents of schools), as the case may be, sufficient to pay the principal of and premium, if any, and interest on, and other fees related to, the local governmental securities for which the pledge was made or to pay such lease rental payments securing such local government securities for which the pledge was made. The proceedings shall constitute authorization for such a directive to the State Comptroller to cause orders to be drawn and to the State Treasurer to pay in accordance with such directive. To the extent that the Authority or its designee notifies the Department of Revenue, the Department of Transportation or the State Superintendent of Education, as the case may be, that the unit of local government has previously paid to the Authority or its designee the amount of any principal, premium, interest and fees payable from such pledged receipts, the State Comptroller shall cause orders to be drawn and the State Treasurer shall pay such pledged receipts to the unit of local government as if they were not pledged receipts. To the extent that such receipts are pledged and paid to the Authority or such other entity, any taxes which have been levied or fees or charges assessed pursuant to law on account of the issuance of such local government securities shall be paid to the unit of local government and may be used for the purposes for which the pledged receipts would have been used.

(c) Payment of Pledged Receipts upon Default. Any such unit of local government may, by such proceedings, direct that such pledged receipts payable to such unit of local government be paid to the Authority or such other entity (including, without limitation, any trustee) upon a default in the payment of any principal of, premium, if any, or interest on, or fees relating to, any of the local government securities of such unit of local government which have been sold or delivered to the Authority or its designee or any of the local government securities which have been sold or delivered to the Authority or its designee and which are secured by such lease rental payments. If such local governmental security is in default as to the payment of principal thereof, premium, if any, or interest thereon, or fees relating thereto, to the extent that the State Treasurer, the State Comptroller, the Department of Revenue, the Department of Transportation or the State Superintendent of Education (directly or indirectly through regional superintendents of schools) shall be the custodian at any time of any other available funds or moneys pledged to the payment of such local government securities or such lease rental payments securing such local government securities pursuant to this Section and due or payable to such a unit of local government at any time subsequent to written notice to the State Comptroller and State Treasurer from the Authority or any entity acting on behalf of the Authority (including, without limitation, any trustee) to the effect that such unit of local government has not paid or is in default as to payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on, or fees relating to, any local government security sold or delivered to the Authority or any such entity (including, without limitation, any trustee) or has not paid or is in default as to the payment of such lease rental payments securing the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on, or other fees relating to, any local government security sold or delivered to the Authority or such other entity (including, without limitation, any trustee):

(i) The State Comptroller and the State Treasurer shall withhold the payment of such funds or moneys from such unit of local government until the amount of such principal, premium, if any, interest or fees then due and unpaid has been paid to the Authority or any such entity (including, without limitation, any trustee), or the State Comptroller and the State Treasurer have been advised that arrangements, satisfactory to the Authority or such entity, have been made for the payment of such principal, premium, if any, interest and fees; and

(ii) Within 10 days after a demand for payment by the Authority or such entity given to such unit of local government, the State Treasurer and the State Comptroller, the State Treasurer shall pay such funds or moneys as are legally available therefor to the Authority or such entity for the payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on, or fees relating to, such local government securities. The Authority or any such entity may carry out this Section and exercise all the rights, remedies and provisions provided or referred to in this Section.

(d) Remedies. Upon the sale or delivery of any local government securities of the Authority or its designee, the local government which issued such local government securities shall be deemed to have agreed that upon its failure to pay interest or premium, if any, on, or principal of, or fees relating to, the local government securities sold or delivered to the Authority or any entity acting on behalf of the Authority (including, without limitation, any trustee) when payable, all statutory defenses to nonpayment are thereby waived. Upon a default in payment of principal of or interest on any local government securities issued by a unit of local government and sold or delivered to the Authority or its designee, and upon demand on the unit of local government for payment, if the local government securities are payable from property taxes and funds are not legally available in the treasury of the unit of local government to make payment, an action in mandamus for the levy of a tax by the unit of local government to pay the principal of or interest on the local government securities shall lie, and the Authority or such entity shall be constituted a holder or owner of the local government securities as being in default. Upon the occurrence of any failure or default with respect to any local government securities issued by a unit of local government, the Authority or such entity may thereupon avail itself of all remedies, rights and provisions of law applicable in the circumstances, and the failure to exercise or exert any rights or remedies within a time or period provided by law may not be raised as a defense by the unit of local government.

(Source: P.A. 93-205, eff. 1-1-04.)

Section 8.12. The Illinois State Auditing Act is amended by changing Section 3-1 as follows:

(30 ILCS 5/3-1) (from Ch. 15, par. 303-1)

Sec. 3-1. Jurisdiction of Auditor General. The Auditor General has jurisdiction over all State agencies to make post audits and investigations authorized by or under this Act or the Constitution.

The Auditor General has jurisdiction over local government agencies and private agencies only:

(a) to make such post audits authorized by or under this Act as are necessary and incidental to a post audit of a State agency or of a program administered by a State agency involving public funds of the State, but this jurisdiction does not include any authority to review local governmental agencies in the obligation, receipt, expenditure or use of public funds of the State that are granted without limitation or condition imposed by law, other than the general limitation that such funds be used for public purposes;

(b) to make investigations authorized by or under this Act or the Constitution; and

(c) to make audits of the records of local government agencies to verify actual costs of state-mandated programs when directed to do so by the Legislative Audit Commission at the request of the State Board of Appeals under the State Mandates Act.

In addition to the foregoing, the Auditor General may conduct an audit of the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority, the Metropolitan Mobility Authority, Regional Transportation Authority, the Suburban Bus Division, the Commuter Rail Division and the Chicago Transit Authority and any other subsidized carrier when authorized by the Legislative Audit Commission. Such audit may be a financial, management or program audit, or any combination thereof.

The audit shall determine whether they are operating in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations. Subject to the limitations of this Act, the Legislative Audit Commission may by resolution specify additional determinations to be included in the scope of the audit.

In addition to the foregoing, the Auditor General must also conduct a financial audit of the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority's expenditures of public funds in connection with the reconstruction, renovation, remodeling, extension, or improvement of all or substantially all of any existing "facility", as that term is defined in the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority Act.

The Auditor General may also conduct an audit, when authorized by the Legislative Audit Commission, of any hospital which receives 10% or more of its gross revenues from payments from the State of Illinois, Department of Healthcare and Family Services (formerly Department of Public Aid), Medical Assistance Program.

The Auditor General is authorized to conduct financial and compliance audits of the Illinois Distance Learning Foundation and the Illinois Conservation Foundation.

As soon as practical after the effective date of this amendatory Act of 1995, the Auditor General shall conduct a compliance and management audit of the City of Chicago and any other entity with regard to the operation of Chicago O'Hare International Airport, Chicago Midway Airport and Merrill C. Meigs Field. The audit shall include, but not be limited to, an examination of revenues, expenses, and transfers of funds; purchasing and contracting policies and practices; staffing levels; and hiring practices and procedures. When completed, the audit required by this paragraph shall be distributed in accordance with Section 3-14.

The Auditor General shall conduct a financial and compliance and program audit of distributions from the Municipal Economic Development Fund during the immediately preceding calendar year pursuant to Section 8-403.1 of the Public Utilities Act at no cost to the city, village, or incorporated town that received the distributions.

The Auditor General must conduct an audit of the Health Facilities and Services Review Board pursuant to Section 19.5 of the Illinois Health Facilities Planning Act.

The Auditor General of the State of Illinois shall annually conduct or cause to be conducted a financial and compliance audit of the books and records of any county water commission organized pursuant to the Water Commission Act of 1985 and shall file a copy of the report of that audit with the Governor and the Legislative Audit Commission. The filed audit shall be open to the public for inspection. The cost of the audit shall be charged to the county water commission in accordance with Section 6z-27 of the State Finance Act. The county water commission shall make available to the Auditor General its books and records and any other documentation, whether in the possession of its trustees or other parties, necessary to conduct the audit required. These audit requirements apply only through July 1, 2007.

The Auditor General must conduct audits of the Rend Lake Conservancy District as provided in Section 25.5 of the River Conservancy Districts Act.

The Auditor General must conduct financial audits of the Southeastern Illinois Economic Development Authority as provided in Section 70 of the Southeastern Illinois Economic Development Authority Act.

The Auditor General shall conduct a compliance audit in accordance with subsections (d) and (f) of Section 30 of the Innovation Development and Economy Act.

(Source: P.A. 95-331, eff. 8-21-07; 96-31, eff. 6-30-09; 96-939, eff. 6-24-10.)

(30 ILCS 5/3-2.3 rep.)

Section 8.12a. The Illinois State Auditing Act is amended by repealing Section 3-2.3.

Section 8.13. The State Finance Act is amended by changing Sections 5.277, 5.918, 6z-17, 6z-20, 6z-27, 6z-109, 8.25g, and 8.3 and by adding Sections 5.1015 and 5.1016 as follows:

(30 ILCS 105/5.277) (from Ch. 127, par. 141.277)

Sec. 5.277. The Metropolitan Mobility Regional Transportation Authority Occupation and Use Tax Replacement Fund.

(Source: P.A. 86-928; 86-1028.)

(30 ILCS 105/5.918)

Sec. 5.918. The Metropolitan Mobility Regional Transportation Authority Capital Improvement Fund.

(Source: P.A. 101-31, eff. 6-28-19; 101-32, eff. 6-28-19; 102-558, eff. 8-20-21.)

(30 ILCS 105/5.1015 new)

Sec. 5.1015. The Transit-Supportive Development Fund.

(30 ILCS 105/5.1016 new)

Sec. 5.1016. The Metropolitan Mobility Authority Additional Operating Funding Fund.

(30 ILCS 105/6z-17) (from Ch. 127, par. 142z-17)

Sec. 6z-17. State and Local Sales Tax Reform Fund.

(a) After deducting the amount transferred to the Tax Compliance and Administration Fund under subsection (b), of the money paid into the State and Local Sales Tax Reform Fund: (i) subject to appropriation to the Department of Revenue, Municipalities having 1,000,000 or more inhabitants shall receive 20% and may expend such amount to fund and establish a program for developing and coordinating public and private resources targeted to meet the affordable housing needs of low-income and very low-income households within such municipality, (ii) 10% shall be transferred into the Metropolitan Mobility Regional Transportation Authority Occupation and Use Tax Replacement Fund, a special fund in the State treasury which is hereby created, (iii) until July 1, 2013, subject to appropriation to the Department of Transportation, the Madison County Mass Transit District shall receive .6%, and beginning on July 1, 2013, subject to appropriation to the Department of Revenue, 0.6% shall be distributed each month out of the Fund to the Madison County Mass Transit District, (iv) the following amounts, plus any cumulative deficiency in such transfers for prior months, shall be transferred monthly into the Build Illinois Fund and credited to the Build Illinois Bond Account therein:

From Fiscal Year 1994 through Fiscal Year 2025 the transfer shall total $3,150,000 monthly, plus any cumulative deficiency in such transfers for prior months, and (v) the remainder of the money paid into the State and Local Sales Tax Reform Fund shall be transferred into the Local Government Distributive Fund and, except for municipalities with 1,000,000 or more inhabitants which shall receive no portion of such remainder, shall be distributed, subject to appropriation, in the manner provided by Section 2 of "An Act in relation to State revenue sharing with local government entities", approved July 31, 1969, as now or hereafter amended. Municipalities with more than 50,000 inhabitants according to the 1980 U.S. Census and located within the Metro East Mass Transit District receiving funds pursuant to provision (v) of this paragraph may expend such amounts to fund and establish a program for developing and coordinating public and private resources targeted to meet the affordable housing needs of low-income and very low-income households within such municipality.

Moneys transferred from the Grocery Tax Replacement Fund to the State and Local Sales Tax Reform Fund under Section 6z-130 shall be treated under this Section in the same manner as if they had been remitted with the return on which they were reported.

(b) Beginning on the first day of the first calendar month to occur on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 98th General Assembly, each month the Department of Revenue shall certify to the State Comptroller and the State Treasurer, and the State Comptroller shall order transferred and the State Treasurer shall transfer from the State and Local Sales Tax Reform Fund to the Tax Compliance and Administration Fund, an amount equal to 1/12 of 5% of 20% of the cash receipts collected during the preceding fiscal year by the Audit Bureau of the Department of Revenue under the Use Tax Act, the Service Use Tax Act, the Service Occupation Tax Act, the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act, and associated local occupation and use taxes administered by the Department. The amount distributed under subsection (a) each month shall first be reduced by the amount transferred to the Tax Compliance and Administration Fund under this subsection (b). Moneys transferred to the Tax Compliance and Administration Fund under this subsection (b) shall be used, subject to appropriation, to fund additional auditors and compliance personnel at the Department of Revenue.

(Source: P.A. 102-700, eff. 4-19-22.)

(30 ILCS 105/6z-20) (from Ch. 127, par. 142z-20)

Sec. 6z-20. County and Mass Transit District Fund. Of the money received from the 6.25% general rate (and, beginning July 1, 2000 and through December 31, 2000, the 1.25% rate on motor fuel and gasohol, and beginning on August 6, 2010 through August 15, 2010, and beginning again on August 5, 2022 through August 14, 2022, the 1.25% rate on sales tax holiday items) on sales subject to taxation under the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act and Service Occupation Tax Act and paid into the County and Mass Transit District Fund, distribution to the Metropolitan Mobility Authority Occupation and Use Tax Replacement Fund Regional Transportation Authority tax fund, created pursuant to Section 6.02 4.03 of the Metropolitan Mobility Regional Transportation Authority Act, for deposit therein shall be made based upon the retail sales occurring in a county having more than 3,000,000 inhabitants. The remainder shall be distributed to each county having 3,000,000 or fewer inhabitants based upon the retail sales occurring in each such county.

For the purpose of determining allocation to the local government unit, a retail sale by a producer of coal or other mineral mined in Illinois is a sale at retail at the place where the coal or other mineral mined in Illinois is extracted from the earth. This paragraph does not apply to coal or other mineral when it is delivered or shipped by the seller to the purchaser at a point outside Illinois so that the sale is exempt under the United States Constitution as a sale in interstate or foreign commerce.

Of the money received from the 6.25% general use tax rate on tangible personal property which is purchased outside Illinois at retail from a retailer and which is titled or registered by any agency of this State's government and paid into the County and Mass Transit District Fund, the amount for which Illinois addresses for titling or registration purposes are given as being in each county having more than 3,000,000 inhabitants shall be distributed into the Metropolitan Mobility Authority Occupation and Use Tax Replacement Fund Regional Transportation Authority tax fund, created pursuant to Section 6.02 4.03 of the Metropolitan Mobility Regional Transportation Authority Act. The remainder of the money paid from such sales shall be distributed to each county based on sales for which Illinois addresses for titling or registration purposes are given as being located in the county. Any money paid into the Regional Transportation Authority Occupation and Use Tax Replacement Fund from the County and Mass Transit District Fund prior to January 14, 1991, which has not been paid to the Authority prior to that date, shall be transferred to the Regional Transportation Authority tax fund.

Whenever the Department determines that a refund of money paid into the County and Mass Transit District Fund should be made to a claimant instead of issuing a credit memorandum, the Department shall notify the State Comptroller, who shall cause the order to be drawn for the amount specified, and to the person named, in such notification from the Department. Such refund shall be paid by the State Treasurer out of the County and Mass Transit District Fund.

As soon as possible after the first day of each month, beginning January 1, 2011, upon certification of the Department of Revenue, the Comptroller shall order transferred, and the Treasurer shall transfer, to the STAR Bonds Revenue Fund the local sales tax increment, as defined in the Innovation Development and Economy Act, collected during the second preceding calendar month for sales within a STAR bond district and deposited into the County and Mass Transit District Fund, less 3% of that amount, which shall be transferred into the Tax Compliance and Administration Fund and shall be used by the Department, subject to appropriation, to cover the costs of the Department in administering the Innovation Development and Economy Act.

After the monthly transfer to the STAR Bonds Revenue Fund, on or before the 25th day of each calendar month, the Department shall prepare and certify to the Comptroller the disbursement of stated sums of money to the Metropolitan Mobility Regional Transportation Authority and to named counties, the counties to be those entitled to distribution, as hereinabove provided, of taxes or penalties paid to the Department during the second preceding calendar month. The amount to be paid to the Metropolitan Mobility Regional Transportation Authority and each county having 3,000,000 or fewer inhabitants shall be the amount (not including credit memoranda) collected during the second preceding calendar month by the Department and paid into the County and Mass Transit District Fund, plus an amount the Department determines is necessary to offset any amounts which were erroneously paid to a different taxing body, and not including an amount equal to the amount of refunds made during the second preceding calendar month by the Department, and not including any amount which the Department determines is necessary to offset any amounts which were payable to a different taxing body but were erroneously paid to the Metropolitan Mobility Regional Transportation Authority or county, and not including any amounts that are transferred to the STAR Bonds Revenue Fund, less 1.5% of the amount to be paid to the Metropolitan Mobility Regional Transportation Authority, which shall be transferred into the Tax Compliance and Administration Fund. The Department, at the time of each monthly disbursement to the Metropolitan Mobility Regional Transportation Authority, shall prepare and certify to the State Comptroller the amount to be transferred into the Tax Compliance and Administration Fund under this Section. Within 10 days after receipt, by the Comptroller, of the disbursement certification to the Metropolitan Mobility Regional Transportation Authority, counties, and the Tax Compliance and Administration Fund provided for in this Section to be given to the Comptroller by the Department, the Comptroller shall cause the orders to be drawn for the respective amounts in accordance with the directions contained in such certification.

When certifying the amount of a monthly disbursement to the Metropolitan Mobility Regional Transportation Authority or to a county under this Section, the Department shall increase or decrease that amount by an amount necessary to offset any misallocation of previous disbursements. The offset amount shall be the amount erroneously disbursed within the 6 months preceding the time a misallocation is discovered.

The provisions directing the distributions from the special fund in the State treasury Treasury provided for in this Section and from the Metropolitan Mobility Authority Occupation and Use Tax Replacement Fund Regional Transportation Authority tax fund created by Section 6.02 4.03 of the Metropolitan Mobility Regional Transportation Authority Act shall constitute an irrevocable and continuing appropriation of all amounts as provided herein. The State Treasurer and State Comptroller are hereby authorized to make distributions as provided in this Section.

In construing any development, redevelopment, annexation, preannexation or other lawful agreement in effect prior to September 1, 1990, which describes or refers to receipts from a county or municipal retailers' occupation tax, use tax or service occupation tax which now cannot be imposed, such description or reference shall be deemed to include the replacement revenue for such abolished taxes, distributed from the County and Mass Transit District Fund or Local Government Distributive Fund, as the case may be.

(Source: P.A. 102-700, eff. 4-19-22.)

(30 ILCS 105/6z-27)

Sec. 6z-27. All moneys in the Audit Expense Fund shall be transferred, appropriated and used only for the purposes authorized by, and subject to the limitations and conditions prescribed by, the Illinois State Auditing Act.

Within 30 days after July 1, 2023, or as soon thereafter as practical, the State Comptroller shall order transferred and the State Treasurer shall transfer from the following funds moneys in the specified amounts for deposit into the Audit Expense Fund: African-American HIV/AIDS Response RESP Fund...........$1,421 Agricultural Premium Fund............................$122,719 Alzheimer's Awareness Fund.............................$1,499 Alzheimer's Disease Research, Care, and Support Fund.....$662 Amusement Ride and Patron Safety Fund..................$6,315 Assisted Living and & Shared Housing Regulatory

House Regulation Fund..............................$2,564 Capital Development Board Revolving Fund..............$15,118 Care Provider Fund for Persons with a Developmental

Disability........................................$15,392 Carolyn Adams Ticket For The Cure Grant Fund.............$927 CDLIS/AAMVANET/NMVTIS Trust Fund (Commercial

Driver's License Information

System/American Association of

Motor Vehicle Administrators

network/National Motor Vehicle

Title Information Service Trust Fund)..............$5,236 Chicago Police Memorial Foundation Fund..................$708 Chicago State University Education Improvement Fund...$13,666 Child Labor and Day and Temporary Labor

Services Enforcement Fund.........................$11,991 Child Support Administrative Fund......................$5,287 Clean Air Act Permit Fund..............................$1,556 Coal Technology Development Assistance Fund............$6,936 Common School Fund...................................$343,892 Community Mental Health Medicaid Trust Fund...........$14,084 Corporate Franchise Tax Refund Fund....................$1,096 DCFS Children's Services Fund..........................$8,766 Death Certificate Surcharge Fund.......................$2,060 Death Penalty Abolition Fund...........................$2,448 Department of Business Services Service Special

Operations Fund...................................$13,889 Department of Human Services DHS Community

Services Fund......................................$7,970 Downstate Public Transportation Fund..................$11,631 Dram Shop Fund.......................................$142,500 Driver Services Administration Fund....................$1,873 Drug Rebate Fund......................................$42,473 Drug Treatment Fund....................................$1,767 Education Assistance Fund..........................$2,031,292 Emergency Public Health Fund...........................$5,162 Environmental Protection Permit and Inspection Fund....$1,447 Estate Tax Refund Fund...................................$852 Facilities Management Revolving Fund..................$50,148 Facility Licensing Fund................................$5,522 Fair and & Exposition Fund.............................$4,248 Feed Control Fund......................................$7,709 Fertilizer Control Fund................................$6,849 Fire Prevention Fund...................................$3,859 Fund for the Advancement of Education.................$24,772 General Assembly Operations Revolving Rev Fund.........$1,146 General Professions Dedicated Fund.....................$4,039 General Revenue Fund..............................$17,653,153 Governor's Administrative Fund.........................$2,832 Governor's Grant Fund.................................$17,709 Grade Crossing Protection Fund...........................$930 Grant Accountability and / Transparency Fund.............$805 Guardianship and & Advocacy Fund......................$14,843 Hazardous Waste Fund.....................................$835 Health Facility Plan Review Fund.......................$1,776 Health and Human Services Service Medicaid Trust Fund..$6,554 Healthcare Provider Relief Fund......................$407,107 Healthy Smiles Fund......................................$738 Home Care Services Agency Licensure Fund...............$3,101 Hospital Licensure Fund................................$1,688 Hospital Provider Fund...............................$138,829 ICCB Federal Trust Fund...............................$9,968 ICJIA Violence Prevention Fund...........................$932 Illinois IL Affordable Housing Trust Fund.............$17,236 Illinois IL Clean Water Fund...........................$2,152 Illinois IL Community College Board

Contracts and Grants Fund ..........................$9,968 Illinois IL Health Facilities Planning Fund............$3,094 IMSA Income Fund......................................$12,417 Illinois IL Power Agency Operations Fund..............$62,583 Illinois IL School Asbestos Abatement Fund...............$784 Illinois IL State Fair Fund...........................$29,752 Illinois IL State Police Memorial Park Fund..............$681 Illinois Telecommunications IL Telecom Access

Corporation Fund...................................$1,668 Illinois IL Underground Utility Facilities

Facility Damage Prevention Fund....................$4,276 Illinois IL Veterans' Rehabilitation Fund..............$5,943 Illinois IL Workers' Compensation Commission

Operations Fund..................................$243,187 Income Tax Refund Fund................................$54,420 Lead Poisoning Screening, Prevention, and

Abatement Fund....................................$16,379 Live and Learn Fund...................................$25,492 Lobbyist Registration Administration Fund..............$1,471 Local Government Distributive Fund....................$44,025 Long Term Care Monitor/Receiver Receive Fund..........$42,016 Long-Term Long Term Care Provider Fund................$13,537 Low-Level Radioactive Low Level Rad Facility

Development and Operation Dev & Op Fund..............$618 Mandatory Arbitration Fund.............................$2,104 Medical Special Purposes Purpose Trust Fund..............$786 Mental Health Fund.....................................$9,376 Mental Health Reporting Fund...........................$1,443 Metabolic Screening and & Treatment Fund..............$32,049 Monitoring Device Driving Permit Administration

Fee Fund...........................................$1,616 Motor Fuel Tax Fund...................................$36,238 Motor Vehicle License Plate Fund......................$17,694 Motor Vehicle Theft Prevention and Insurance

Verification Trust.................................10,970 Multiple Sclerosis Research Fund.........................$758 Nuclear Safety Emergency Preparedness Fund............$26,117 Nursing Dedicated and Professional Fund................$2,420 Open Space Lands Acquisition and & Development Fund......$658 Partners For Conservation Fund........................$89,847 Pension Stabilization Fund.............................$1,031 Personal Property Tax Replacement Fund...............$290,755 Pesticide Control Fund................................$30,513 Plumbing Licensure and & Program Fund..................$6,276 Police Memorial Committee Fund...........................$813 Professional Services Fund............................$72,029 Public Health Laboratory Lab Services Revolving

Rev Fund...........................................$5,816 Public Transportation Fund............................$46,826 Public Utility Fund..................................$198,423 Radiation Protection Fund.............................$11,034 Renewable Energy Resources Trust Fund..................$7,834 Road Fund............................................$226,150

Regional Transportation Authority RTA Occupation

and & Use Tax Replacement Fund (now the

Metropolitan Mobility Authority Occupation

and Use Tax Replacement Fund) ......................$1,167 School Infrastructure Fund.............................$7,749 Secretary of State DUI Administration Fund.............$2,694 Secretary of State Identification & Security

and Theft Prevention Fund.........................$12,676 Secretary of State Police Services Fund..................$717 Secretary of State Special License Plate Fund..........$4,203 Secretary of State Special Services Fund..............$34,491 Securities Audit and Enforcement Fund..................$8,198 Solid Waste Management Fund............................$1,613 Special Olympics Illinois and Special

Children's Charities Fund............................$852 Special Education Medicaid Matching Fund...............$5,131 Sports Wagering Fund...................................$4,450 State and Local Sales Tax Reform Fund..................$2,361 State Construction Account Fund.......................$37,865 State Gaming Fund.....................................$94,435 State Garage Revolving Fund............................$8,977 State Lottery Fund...................................$340,323 State Pensions Fund..................................$500,000 State Treasurer's Bank Services Trust Fund.............$1,295 Supreme Court Special Purposes Fund....................$1,722 Tattoo and & Body Piercing Establishment

Registration Fund....................................$950 Tax Compliance and & Administration Fund...............$1,483 Technology Management Revolving Fund.................$186,193 Tobacco Settlement Recovery Fund......................$29,864 Tourism Promotion Fund................................$50,155 Transportation Regulatory Fund........................$78,256 Trauma Center Fund.....................................$1,960 Underground Storage Tank Fund..........................$3,630 University of Illinois IL Hospital Services Fund.......$6,712 Vehicle Hijacking and Motor Vehicle

Theft Prevention and Insurance

Verification Trust Fund...........................$10,970 Vehicle Inspection Fund................................$5,069 Weights and Measures Fund.............................$22,129 Youth Alcoholism and & Substance Abuse Prevention Fund...$526

Notwithstanding any provision of the law to the contrary, the General Assembly hereby authorizes the use of such funds for the purposes set forth in this Section.

These provisions do not apply to funds classified by the Comptroller as federal trust funds or State trust funds. The Audit Expense Fund may receive transfers from those trust funds only as directed herein, except where prohibited by the terms of the trust fund agreement. The Auditor General shall notify the trustees of those funds of the estimated cost of the audit to be incurred under the Illinois State Auditing Act for the fund. The trustees of those funds shall direct the State Comptroller and Treasurer to transfer the estimated amount to the Audit Expense Fund.

The Auditor General may bill entities that are not subject to the above transfer provisions, including private entities, related organizations and entities whose funds are locally-held, for the cost of audits, studies, and investigations incurred on their behalf. Any revenues received under this provision shall be deposited into the Audit Expense Fund.

In the event that moneys on deposit in any fund are unavailable, by reason of deficiency or any other reason preventing their lawful transfer, the State Comptroller shall order transferred and the State Treasurer shall transfer the amount deficient or otherwise unavailable from the General Revenue Fund for deposit into the Audit Expense Fund.

On or before December 1, 1992, and each December 1 thereafter, the Auditor General shall notify the Governor's Office of Management and Budget (formerly Bureau of the Budget) of the amount estimated to be necessary to pay for audits, studies, and investigations in accordance with the Illinois State Auditing Act during the next succeeding fiscal year for each State fund for which a transfer or reimbursement is anticipated.

Beginning with fiscal year 1994 and during each fiscal year thereafter, the Auditor General may direct the State Comptroller and Treasurer to transfer moneys from funds authorized by the General Assembly for that fund. In the event funds, including federal and State trust funds but excluding the General Revenue Fund, are transferred, during fiscal year 1994 and during each fiscal year thereafter, in excess of the amount to pay actual costs attributable to audits, studies, and investigations as permitted or required by the Illinois State Auditing Act or specific action of the General Assembly, the Auditor General shall, on September 30, or as soon thereafter as is practicable, direct the State Comptroller and Treasurer to transfer the excess amount back to the fund from which it was originally transferred.

(Source: P.A. 102-16, eff. 6-17-21; 102-699, eff. 4-19-22; 103-8, eff. 6-7-23; 103-129, eff. 6-30-23; revised 11-21-23.)

(30 ILCS 105/6z-109)

Sec. 6z-109. Metropolitan Mobility Regional Transportation Authority Capital Improvement Fund.

(a) The Metropolitan Mobility Regional Transportation Authority Capital Improvement Fund is created as a special fund in the State treasury and shall receive a portion of the moneys deposited into the Transportation Renewal Fund from Motor Fuel Tax revenues pursuant to Section 8b of the Motor Fuel Tax Law.

(b) Money in the Metropolitan Mobility Regional Transportation Authority Capital Improvement Fund shall be used exclusively for transportation-related purposes as described in Section 11 of Article IX of the Illinois Constitution of 1970.

(Source: P.A. 101-30, eff. 6-28-19.)

(30 ILCS 105/8.3)

Sec. 8.3. Money in the Road Fund shall, if and when the State of Illinois incurs any bonded indebtedness for the construction of permanent highways, be set aside and used for the purpose of paying and discharging annually the principal and interest on that bonded indebtedness then due and payable, and for no other purpose. The surplus, if any, in the Road Fund after the payment of principal and interest on that bonded indebtedness then annually due shall be used as follows:

first -- to pay the cost of administration of Chapters 2 through 10 of the Illinois Vehicle Code, except the cost of administration of Articles I and II of Chapter 3 of that Code, and to pay the costs of the Executive Ethics Commission for oversight and administration of the Chief Procurement Officer appointed under paragraph (2) of subsection (a) of Section 10-20 of the Illinois Procurement Code for transportation; and

secondly -- for expenses of the Department of Transportation for construction, reconstruction, improvement, repair, maintenance, operation, and administration of highways in accordance with the provisions of laws relating thereto, or for any purpose related or incident to and connected therewith, including the separation of grades of those highways with railroads and with highways and including the payment of awards made by the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission under the terms of the Workers' Compensation Act or Workers' Occupational Diseases Act for injury or death of an employee of the Division of Highways in the Department of Transportation; or for the acquisition of land and the erection of buildings for highway purposes, including the acquisition of highway right-of-way or for investigations to determine the reasonably anticipated future highway needs; or for making of surveys, plans, specifications and estimates for and in the construction and maintenance of flight strips and of highways necessary to provide access to military and naval reservations, to defense industries and defense-industry sites, and to the sources of raw materials and for replacing existing highways and highway connections shut off from general public use at military and naval reservations and defense-industry sites, or for the purchase of right-of-way, except that the State shall be reimbursed in full for any expense incurred in building the flight strips; or for the operating and maintaining of highway garages; or for patrolling and policing the public highways and conserving the peace; or for the operating expenses of the Department relating to the administration of public transportation programs; or, during fiscal year 2023, for the purposes of a grant not to exceed $8,394,800 to the Regional Transportation Authority (now the Metropolitan Mobility Transportation Authority) on behalf of PACE for the purpose of ADA/Para-transit expenses; or, during fiscal year 2024, for the purposes of a grant not to exceed $9,108,400 to the Regional Transportation Authority (now the Metropolitan Mobility Transportation Authority) on behalf of PACE for the purpose of ADA/Para-transit expenses; or for any of those purposes or any other purpose that may be provided by law.

Appropriations for any of those purposes are payable from the Road Fund. Appropriations may also be made from the Road Fund for the administrative expenses of any State agency that are related to motor vehicles or arise from the use of motor vehicles.

Beginning with fiscal year 1980 and thereafter, no Road Fund monies shall be appropriated to the following Departments or agencies of State government for administration, grants, or operations; but this limitation is not a restriction upon appropriating for those purposes any Road Fund monies that are eligible for federal reimbursement:

1. Department of Public Health;

2. Department of Transportation, only with respect to subsidies for one-half fare Student Transportation and Reduced Fare for Elderly, except fiscal year 2023 when no more than $17,570,000 may be expended and except fiscal year 2024 when no more than $19,063,500 may be expended;

3. Department of Central Management Services, except for expenditures incurred for group insurance premiums of appropriate personnel;

4. Judicial Systems and Agencies.

Beginning with fiscal year 1981 and thereafter, no Road Fund monies shall be appropriated to the following Departments or agencies of State government for administration, grants, or operations; but this limitation is not a restriction upon appropriating for those purposes any Road Fund monies that are eligible for federal reimbursement:

1. Illinois State Police, except for expenditures with respect to the Division of Patrol and Division of Criminal Investigation;

2. Department of Transportation, only with respect to Intercity Rail Subsidies, except fiscal year 2023 when no more than $55,000,000 may be expended and except fiscal year 2024 when no more than $60,000,000 may be expended, and Rail Freight Services.

Beginning with fiscal year 1982 and thereafter, no Road Fund monies shall be appropriated to the following Departments or agencies of State government for administration, grants, or operations; but this limitation is not a restriction upon appropriating for those purposes any Road Fund monies that are eligible for federal reimbursement: Department of Central Management Services, except for awards made by the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission under the terms of the Workers' Compensation Act or Workers' Occupational Diseases Act for injury or death of an employee of the Division of Highways in the Department of Transportation.

Beginning with fiscal year 1984 and thereafter, no Road Fund monies shall be appropriated to the following Departments or agencies of State government for administration, grants, or operations; but this limitation is not a restriction upon appropriating for those purposes any Road Fund monies that are eligible for federal reimbursement:

1. Illinois State Police, except not more than 40% of the funds appropriated for the Division of Patrol and Division of Criminal Investigation;

2. State Officers.

Beginning with fiscal year 1984 and thereafter, no Road Fund monies shall be appropriated to any Department or agency of State government for administration, grants, or operations except as provided hereafter; but this limitation is not a restriction upon appropriating for those purposes any Road Fund monies that are eligible for federal reimbursement. It shall not be lawful to circumvent the above appropriation limitations by governmental reorganization or other methods. Appropriations shall be made from the Road Fund only in accordance with the provisions of this Section.

Money in the Road Fund shall, if and when the State of Illinois incurs any bonded indebtedness for the construction of permanent highways, be set aside and used for the purpose of paying and discharging during each fiscal year the principal and interest on that bonded indebtedness as it becomes due and payable as provided in the Transportation Bond Act, and for no other purpose. The surplus, if any, in the Road Fund after the payment of principal and interest on that bonded indebtedness then annually due shall be used as follows:

first -- to pay the cost of administration of Chapters 2 through 10 of the Illinois Vehicle Code; and

secondly -- no Road Fund monies derived from fees, excises, or license taxes relating to registration, operation and use of vehicles on public highways or to fuels used for the propulsion of those vehicles, shall be appropriated or expended other than for costs of administering the laws imposing those fees, excises, and license taxes, statutory refunds and adjustments allowed thereunder, administrative costs of the Department of Transportation, including, but not limited to, the operating expenses of the Department relating to the administration of public transportation programs, payment of debts and liabilities incurred in construction and reconstruction of public highways and bridges, acquisition of rights-of-way for and the cost of construction, reconstruction, maintenance, repair, and operation of public highways and bridges under the direction and supervision of the State, political subdivision, or municipality collecting those monies, or during fiscal year 2023 for the purposes of a grant not to exceed $8,394,800 to the Regional Transportation Authority (now the Metropolitan Mobility Transportation Authority) on behalf of PACE for the purpose of ADA/Para-transit expenses, or during fiscal year 2024 for the purposes of a grant not to exceed $9,108,400 to the Regional Transportation Authority (now the Metropolitan Mobility Transportation Authority) on behalf of PACE for the purpose of ADA/Para-transit expenses, and the costs for patrolling and policing the public highways (by the State, political subdivision, or municipality collecting that money) for enforcement of traffic laws. The separation of grades of such highways with railroads and costs associated with protection of at-grade highway and railroad crossing shall also be permissible.

Appropriations for any of such purposes are payable from the Road Fund or the Grade Crossing Protection Fund as provided in Section 8 of the Motor Fuel Tax Law.

Except as provided in this paragraph, beginning with fiscal year 1991 and thereafter, no Road Fund monies shall be appropriated to the Illinois State Police for the purposes of this Section in excess of its total fiscal year 1990 Road Fund appropriations for those purposes unless otherwise provided in Section 5g of this Act. For fiscal years 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, and 2007 only, no Road Fund monies shall be appropriated to the Department of State Police for the purposes of this Section in excess of $97,310,000. For fiscal year 2008 only, no Road Fund monies shall be appropriated to the Department of State Police for the purposes of this Section in excess of $106,100,000. For fiscal year 2009 only, no Road Fund monies shall be appropriated to the Department of State Police for the purposes of this Section in excess of $114,700,000. Beginning in fiscal year 2010, no Road Fund road fund moneys shall be appropriated to the Illinois State Police. It shall not be lawful to circumvent this limitation on appropriations by governmental reorganization or other methods unless otherwise provided in Section 5g of this Act.

In fiscal year 1994, no Road Fund monies shall be appropriated to the Secretary of State for the purposes of this Section in excess of the total fiscal year 1991 Road Fund appropriations to the Secretary of State for those purposes, plus $9,800,000. It shall not be lawful to circumvent this limitation on appropriations by governmental reorganization or other method.

Beginning with fiscal year 1995 and thereafter, no Road Fund monies shall be appropriated to the Secretary of State for the purposes of this Section in excess of the total fiscal year 1994 Road Fund appropriations to the Secretary of State for those purposes. It shall not be lawful to circumvent this limitation on appropriations by governmental reorganization or other methods.

Beginning with fiscal year 2000, total Road Fund appropriations to the Secretary of State for the purposes of this Section shall not exceed the amounts specified for the following fiscal years:

For fiscal year 2010, no road fund moneys shall be appropriated to the Secretary of State.

Beginning in fiscal year 2011, moneys in the Road Fund shall be appropriated to the Secretary of State for the exclusive purpose of paying refunds due to overpayment of fees related to Chapter 3 of the Illinois Vehicle Code unless otherwise provided for by law.

It shall not be lawful to circumvent this limitation on appropriations by governmental reorganization or other methods.

No new program may be initiated in fiscal year 1991 and thereafter that is not consistent with the limitations imposed by this Section for fiscal year 1984 and thereafter, insofar as appropriation of Road Fund monies is concerned.

Nothing in this Section prohibits transfers from the Road Fund to the State Construction Account Fund under Section 5e of this Act; nor to the General Revenue Fund, as authorized by Public Act 93-25.

The additional amounts authorized for expenditure in this Section by Public Acts 92-0600, 93-0025, 93-0839, and 94-91 shall be repaid to the Road Fund from the General Revenue Fund in the next succeeding fiscal year that the General Revenue Fund has a positive budgetary balance, as determined by generally accepted accounting principles applicable to government.

The additional amounts authorized for expenditure by the Secretary of State and the Department of State Police in this Section by Public Act 94-91 shall be repaid to the Road Fund from the General Revenue Fund in the next succeeding fiscal year that the General Revenue Fund has a positive budgetary balance, as determined by generally accepted accounting principles applicable to government.

(Source: P.A. 102-16, eff. 6-17-21; 102-538, eff. 8-20-21; 102-699, eff. 4-19-22; 102-813, eff. 5-13-22; 103-8, eff. 6-7-23; 103-34, eff. 1-1-24; revised 12-12-23.)

(30 ILCS 105/8.25g)

Sec. 8.25g. The Civic and Transit Infrastructure Fund. The Civic and Transit Infrastructure Fund is created as a special fund in the State treasury Treasury. Money in the Civic and Transit Infrastructure Fund shall, when the State of Illinois incurs infrastructure indebtedness pursuant to the public-private partnership entered into by the public agency on behalf of the State of Illinois with private entity pursuant to the Public-Private Partnership for Civic and Transit Infrastructure Project Act, be used for the purpose of paying and discharging monthly the principal and interest on that infrastructure indebtedness then due and payable consistent with the term established in the public-private agreement entered into by the public agency on behalf of the State of Illinois. The public agency shall, pursuant to its authority under the Public-Private Partnership for Civic and Transit Infrastructure Project Act, annually certify to the State Comptroller and the State Treasurer the amount necessary and required, during the fiscal year with respect to which the certification is made, to pay the amounts due under the Public-Private Partnership for Civic and Transit Infrastructure Project Act. On or before the last day of each month, the State Comptroller and State Treasurer shall transfer the moneys required to be deposited into the Fund under Section 3 of the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act and the Public-Private Partnership for Civic and Transit Infrastructure Project Act and shall pay from that Fund the required amount certified by the public agency, plus any cumulative deficiency in such transfers and payments for prior months, to the public agency for distribution pursuant to the Public-Private Partnership for Civic and Transit Infrastructure Project Act. Such transferred amount shall be sufficient to pay all amounts due under the Public-Private Partnership for Civic and Transit Infrastructure Project Act. Provided that all amounts deposited in the Fund have been paid accordingly under the Public-Private Partnership for Civic and Transit Infrastructure Project Act, all amounts remaining in the Civic and Transit Infrastructure Fund shall be held in that Fund for other subsequent payments required under the Public-Private Partnership for Civic and Transit Infrastructure Project Act. In the event the State fails to pay the amount necessary and required under the Public-Private Partnership for Civic and Transit Infrastructure Project Act for any reason during the fiscal year with respect to which the certification is made or if the State takes any steps that result in an impact to the irrevocable, first priority pledge of and lien on moneys on deposit in the Civic and Transit Infrastructure Fund, the public agency shall certify such delinquent amounts to the State Comptroller and the State Treasurer and the State Comptroller and the State Treasurer shall take all steps required to intercept the tax revenues collected from within the boundary of the civic transit infrastructure project pursuant to Section 3 of the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act, Section 9 of the Use Tax Act, Section 9 of the Service Use Tax Act, Section 9 of the Service Occupation Tax Act, Section 6.02 4.03 of the Metropolitan Mobility Regional Transportation Authority Act, and Section 6 of the Hotel Operators' Occupation Tax Act, and shall pay such amounts to the Fund for distribution by the public agency for the time period required to ensure that the State's distribution requirements under the Public-Private Partnership for Civic and Transit Infrastructure Project Act are fully met.

As used in the Section, "private entity", "public-private agreement", and "public agency" have meanings provided in Section 25-10 of the Public-Private Partnership for Civic and Transit Infrastructure Project Act.

(Source: P.A. 101-10, eff. 6-5-19; 102-558, eff. 8-20-21.)

Section 8.14. The State Officers and Employees Money Disposition Act is amended by changing Section 2a as follows:

(30 ILCS 230/2a) (from Ch. 127, par. 172)

Sec. 2a. Every officer, board, commission, commissioner, department, institute, arm, or agency to whom or to which this Act applies is to notify the State Treasurer as to money paid to him, her, or it under protest as provided in Section 2a.1, and the Treasurer is to place the money in a special fund to be known as the protest fund. At the expiration of 30 days from the date of payment, the money is to be transferred from the protest fund to the appropriate fund in which it would have been placed had there been payment without protest unless the party making that payment under protest has filed a complaint and secured within that 30 days a temporary restraining order or a preliminary injunction, restraining the making of that transfer and unless, in addition, within that 30 days, a copy of the temporary restraining order or preliminary injunction has been served upon the State Treasurer and also upon the officer, board, commission, commissioner, department, institute, arm, or agency to whom or to which the payment under protest was made, in which case the payment and such other payments as are subsequently made under notice of protest, as provided in Section 2a.1, by the same person, the transfer of which payments is restrained by such temporary restraining order or preliminary injunction, are to be held in the protest fund until the final order or judgment of the court. The judicial remedy herein provided, however, relates only to questions which must be decided by the court in determining the proper disposition of the moneys paid under protest. Any authorized payment from the protest fund shall bear simple interest at a rate equal to the average of the weekly rates at issuance on 13-week U.S. Treasury Bills from the date of deposit into the protest fund to the date of disbursement from the protest fund. In cases involving temporary restraining orders or preliminary injunctions entered March 10, 1982, or thereafter, pursuant to this Section, when the party paying under protest fails in the protest action the State Treasurer shall determine if any moneys paid under protest were paid as a result of assessments under the following provisions: the Municipal Retailers' Occupation Tax Act, the Municipal Service Occupation Tax Act, the Municipal Use Tax Act, the Municipal Automobile Renting Occupation Tax Act, the Municipal Automobile Renting Use Tax Act, Section 8-11-9 of the Illinois Municipal Code, the Tourism, Conventions and Other Special Events Promotion Act of 1967, the County Automobile Renting Occupation Tax Act, the County Automobile Renting Use Tax Act, Section 5-1034 of the Counties Code, Section 5.01 of the Local Mass Transit District Act, the Downstate Public Transportation Act, Section 6.02 4.03 of the Metropolitan Mobility Regional Transportation Authority Act, subsections (c) and (d) of Section 201 of the Illinois Income Tax Act, Section 2a.1 of the Messages Tax Act, Section 2a.1 of the Gas Revenue Tax Act, Section 2a.1 of the Public Utilities Revenue Act, and the Water Company Invested Capital Tax Act. Any such moneys paid under protest shall bear simple interest at a rate equal to the average of the weekly rates at issuance on 13-week U.S. Treasury Bills from the date of deposit into the protest fund to the date of disbursement from the protest fund.

It is unlawful for the Clerk of a court, a bank or any person other than the State Treasurer to be appointed as trustee with respect to any purported payment under protest, or otherwise to be authorized by a court to hold any purported payment under protest, during the pendency of the litigation involving such purported payment under protest, it being the expressed intention of the General Assembly that no one is to act as custodian of any such purported payment under protest except the State Treasurer.

No payment under protest within the meaning of this Act has been made unless paid to an officer, board, commission, commissioner, department, institute, arm or agency brought within this Act by Section 1 and unless made in the form specified by Section 2a.1. No payment into court or to a circuit clerk or other court-appointed trustee is a payment under protest within the meaning of this Act.

(Source: P.A. 87-950.)

Section 8.15. The Transportation Bond Act is amended by changing Section 2 as follows:

(30 ILCS 415/2) (from Ch. 127, par. 702)

Sec. 2. The State of Illinois is authorized to issue, sell and provide for the retirement of bonds of the State of Illinois in the amount of $1,729,000,000, hereinafter called the "Bonds", for the specific purpose of promoting and assuring rapid, efficient, and safe highway, air and mass transportation for the inhabitants of the State by providing monies, including the making of grants and loans, to be used for the acquisition, construction, reconstruction, extension and improvement of the following transportation facilities and equipment and for the acquisition of real property and interests in real property required or expected to be required in connection therewith, and within the limitations set forth in Section 5.1 of this Act for the specific purpose set forth in Section 2(b) (2) and (3) of this Act:

(a) (1) the acquisition, construction, reconstruction, extension and improvement of State highways, arterial highways, freeways, roads, structures separating highways and railroads and bridges; and

(2) the repair and reconstruction of bridges on roads maintained by counties, municipalities, townships or road districts;

(b) (1) the acquisition, construction, extension, reconstruction and improvement of mass transportation facilities including rapid transit, rail, bus and other equipment used in connection therewith by the State or any unit of local government, special transportation district, municipal corporation or other corporation or public authority authorized to provide and promote public transportation within the State or two or more of the foregoing acting jointly; and

(2) for the purpose of providing immediate relief from existing or impending inability to meet principal and interest payments and thereby aiding in achieving the maximum benefit for the public from the transportation capital improvement program, to provide funds for any payments required to be made for principal of and interest on bonds, certificates, equipment trust certificates or other evidences of indebtedness issued or guaranteed prior to the passage of this Act by the State or any unit of local government, special transportation district, municipal corporation or other corporation or public authority authorized to provide public transportation within the State, or two or more of the foregoing acting jointly, pursuant to any indenture, ordinance, resolution, agreement or contract to obtain and finance transportation facilities; and,

(3) for the purpose of reimbursing the General Revenue Fund for monies paid from the General Revenue Fund after passage of this Act for the purpose described in Section 2(b) (2).

(c) the acquisition, construction, extension, reconstruction, and improvement of airport or aviation facilities and any equipment used in connection therewith, including reimbursement for certain engineering and land acquisition costs as provided in Section 34a of the "Illinois Aeronautics Act", approved July 24, 1945, as amended, by the State or any unit of local government, special transportation district, municipal corporation or other corporation or public authority authorized to provide public transportation within the State or two or more of the foregoing acting jointly.

$1,326,000,000 of the Bonds will be used for State highway acquisition, construction, reconstruction, extension and improvement as specifically described herein, hereinafter called the "Transportation Bonds, Series A". $363,000,000 of the Bonds will be used for the mass transportation purposes specifically described herein and $40,000,000 of the Bonds will be used for the aviation purposes specifically described herein, such $403,000,000 of Bonds collectively hereinafter called the "Transportation Bonds, Series B".

The $75,000,000 authorized for mass transportation purposes by this amendatory Act of 1973 shall be used for the acquisition of mass transportation equipment including rail and bus, and other equipment used in connection therewith for the area comprising the counties of DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry and Will, and that portion of the County of Cook outside the City of Chicago, as determined by the Metropolitan Mobility Regional Transportation Authority established pursuant to the Metropolitan Mobility "The Regional Transportation Authority Act", enacted by the 78th General Assembly. The proceeds of the sale of such bonds shall be expended only to, or with the approval of, such Authority. Nothing in this paragraph prohibits that Authority from using or approving the use of such proceeds for purposes of acquisition of mass transportation equipment for use between such area and other areas.

Of the Bonds authorized to be used for highway purposes, the proceeds of $14,965,100 of such bonds shall be used by the Department of Transportation for the purpose of the repair and reconstruction of unsafe and substandard bridges on roads maintained by counties, municipalities, townships and road districts under the Illinois Highway Code and the proceeds of $12,000,000 of such bonds shall be used by the Department of Transportation for the same purposes as provided in Sections 6-902 through 6-905 of the Illinois Highway Code.

Of the Bonds authorized to be sold for highway purposes, the proceeds of $36,939,400 of the Bonds shall be used for such purposes within the City of Chicago, the proceeds of $42,457,000 of the Bonds shall be used for such purposes in the Chicago urbanized area, the proceeds of $46,359,000 of the bonds shall be used for such purposes outside the Chicago urbanized area, the proceeds of $142,105,500 of the Bonds shall be used for such purposes within the Counties of Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry and Will, the proceeds of $181,139,100 of the Bonds shall be used for such purposes within the Counties of the State outside the Counties of Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry and Will.

Of the $106,000,000 of Bonds authorized to be sold for mass transportation purposes by this amendatory Act of 1979, $98,000,000 of the Bonds shall be used for such purposes within the Counties of Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry and Will and the proceeds of $8,000,000 of the Bonds shall be used for such purposes within the Counties of the State outside the Counties of Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry and Will.

(Source: P.A. 86-453.)

Section 8.16. The Downstate Public Transportation Act is amended by changing Sections 2-2.02, 3-1.02, and 4-1.7 as follows:

(30 ILCS 740/2-2.02) (from Ch. 111 2/3, par. 662.02)

Sec. 2-2.02. "Participant" means:

(1) a city, village, or incorporated town, a county, or a local mass transit district organized under the Local Mass Transit District Act (a) serving an urbanized area of over 50,000 population or (b) serving a nonurbanized area; or

(2) any Metro-East Transit District established pursuant to Section 3 of the Local Mass Transit District Act and serving one or more of the Counties of Madison, Monroe, and St. Clair during Fiscal Year 1989, all located outside the boundaries of the Metropolitan Mobility Regional Transportation Authority as established pursuant to the Metropolitan Mobility Regional Transportation Authority Act.

(Source: P.A. 94-70, eff. 6-22-05.)

(30 ILCS 740/3-1.02) (from Ch. 111 2/3, par. 683)

Sec. 3-1.02. "Participant" means any county located outside the boundaries of the Metropolitan Mobility Regional Transportation Authority as established under the Metropolitan Mobility Regional Transportation Authority Act and outside the Bi-State Metropolitan Development District established under an Act approved July 26, 1949, except that beginning, July 1, 1987 the counties within the boundaries of the Bi-State Metropolitan Development District may be eligible for capital assistance only, or within such county any municipality with 20,000 or more population that is not included in an urbanized area or the boundaries of a local mass transit district; or within such county any municipality with 20,000 or less population receiving State mass transportation operating assistance under the Downstate Public Transportation Act during Fiscal Year 1979; or within such county or counties a local mass transit district organized under the Local local Mass Transit District Act which is not included in an urbanized area or the boundaries of a local mass transit district which includes an urbanized area; provided, however, that no such entity shall be eligible to participate unless it agrees to adhere to the regulations and requirements of the Secretary of Transportation of the federal Department of Transportation affecting Section 18 assistance or any other conditions as deemed reasonable and necessary by the Illinois Department of Transportation.

(Source: P.A. 87-1235.)

(30 ILCS 740/4-1.7) (from Ch. 111 2/3, par. 699.7)

Sec. 4-1.7. "Participant" means (1) a city, village or incorporated town, or a local mass transit district organized under the Local Mass Transit District Act, that is named as a designated recipient by the Governor, or is eligible to receive federal UMTA Section 9 funds, or (2) the recipient designated by the Governor within the Bi-State Metropolitan Development District; provided that such entity is all located outside the boundaries of the Metropolitan Mobility Regional Transportation Authority as established pursuant to the Metropolitan Mobility Regional Transportation Authority Act, as amended, and has formally requested to participate in the program defined in this Article. However, no such entity shall be eligible to participate unless it agrees to adhere to the regulations and requirements of the Secretary of Transportation of the federal Department of Transportation affecting UMTA Section 9 assistance or any other conditions that are deemed reasonable and necessary by the Illinois Department of Transportation.

(Source: P.A. 86-16.)

Section 8.17. The State Mandates Act is amended by changing Section 8.47 as follows:

(30 ILCS 805/8.47)

Sec. 8.47. Exempt mandate.

(a) Notwithstanding Sections 6 and 8 of this Act, no reimbursement by the State is required for the implementation of any mandate created by Public Act 103-2, 103-110, 103-409, 103-455, 103-529, 103-552, 103-553, 103-579, or 103-582 this amendatory Act of the 103rd General Assembly.

(b) Notwithstanding Sections 6 and 8 of this Act, no reimbursement by the State is required for the implementation of any mandate created by the Decennial Committees on Local Government Efficiency Act.

(c) Notwithstanding Sections 6 and 8 of this Act, no reimbursement by the State is required for the implementation of the mandate created by Section 2.10a of the Regional Transportation Authority Act (now Section 4.25 of the Metropolitan Mobility Authority Act) in Public Act 103-281 this amendatory Act of the 103rd General Assembly.

(Source: P.A. 102-1136, eff. 2-10-23; 103-2, eff. 5-10-23; 103-110, eff. 6-29-23; 103-281, eff. 1-1-24; 103-409, eff. 1-1-24; 103-455, eff. 1-1-24; 103-529, eff. 8-11-23; 103-552, eff. 8-11-23; 103-553, eff. 8-11-23; 103-579, eff. 12-8-23; 103-582, eff. 12-8-23; revised 1-2-24.)

Section 8.18. The Use Tax Act is amended by changing Sections 2b and 22 as follows:

(35 ILCS 105/2b) (from Ch. 120, par. 439.2b)

Sec. 2b. "Selling price" does shall not include any amounts added to prices by sellers on account of the seller's duty to collect any tax imposed under the Metropolitan Mobility "Regional Transportation Authority Act", enacted by the 78th General Assembly.

(Source: P.A. 78-3rd S.S.-12.)

(35 ILCS 105/22) (from Ch. 120, par. 439.22)

Sec. 22. If it is determined that the Department should issue a credit or refund under this Act, the Department may first apply the amount thereof against any amount of tax or penalty or interest due hereunder, or under the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act, the Service Occupation Tax Act, the Service Use Tax Act, any local occupation or use tax administered by the Department, Section 4 of the Water Commission Act of 1985, subsections (b), (c) and (d) of Section 5.01 of the Local Mass Transit District Act, or subsections (e), (m), and (r) of Section 6.02 of the Metropolitan Mobility Authority Act (e), (f) and (g) of Section 4.03 of the Regional Transportation Authority Act, from the person entitled to such credit or refund. For this purpose, if proceedings are pending to determine whether or not any tax or penalty or interest is due under this Act or under the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act, the Service Occupation Tax Act, the Service Use Tax Act, any local occupation or use tax administered by the Department, Section 4 of the Water Commission Act of 1985, subsections (b), (c) and (d) of Section 5.01 of the Local Mass Transit District Act, or subsections (e), (m), and (r) of Section 6.02 of the Metropolitan Mobility Authority Act (e), (f) and (g) of Section 4.03 of the Regional Transportation Authority Act, from such person, the Department may withhold issuance of the credit or refund pending the final disposition of such proceedings and may apply such credit or refund against any amount found to be due to the Department as a result of such proceedings. The balance, if any, of the credit or refund shall be issued to the person entitled thereto.

Any credit memorandum issued hereunder may be used by the authorized holder thereof to pay any tax or penalty or interest due or to become due under this Act or under the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act, the Service Occupation Tax Act, the Service Use Tax Act, any local occupation or use tax administered by the Department, Section 4 of the Water Commission Act of 1985, subsections (b), (c) and (d) of Section 5.01 of the Local Mass Transit District Act, or subsections (e), (m), and (r) of Section 6.02 of the Metropolitan Mobility Authority Act (e), (f) and (g) of Section 4.03 of the Regional Transportation Authority Act, from such holder. Subject to reasonable rules of the Department, a credit memorandum issued hereunder may be assigned by the holder thereof to any other person for use in paying tax or penalty or interest which may be due or become due under this Act or under the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act, the Service Occupation Tax Act or the Service Use Tax Act, from the assignee.

In any case in which there has been an erroneous refund of tax payable under this Act, a notice of tax liability may be issued at any time within 3 years from the making of that refund, or within 5 years from the making of that refund if it appears that any part of the refund was induced by fraud or the misrepresentation of a material fact. The amount of any proposed assessment set forth in the notice shall be limited to the amount of the erroneous refund.

(Source: P.A. 91-901, eff. 1-1-01.)

Section 8.19. The Service Use Tax Act is amended by changing Section 20 as follows:

(35 ILCS 110/20) (from Ch. 120, par. 439.50)

Sec. 20. If it is determined that the Department should issue a credit or refund hereunder, the Department may first apply the amount thereof against any amount of tax or penalty or interest due hereunder, or under the Service Occupation Tax Act, the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act, the Use Tax Act, any local occupation or use tax administered by the Department, Section 4 of the Water Commission Act of 1985, subsections (b), (c) and (d) of Section 5.01 of the Local Mass Transit District Act, or subsections (e), (m), and (r) of Section 6.02 of the Metropolitan Mobility Authority Act (e), (f) and (g) of Section 4.03 of the Regional Transportation Authority Act, from the person entitled to such credit or refund. For this purpose, if proceedings are pending to determine whether or not any tax or penalty or interest is due hereunder, or under the Service Occupation Tax Act, the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act, the Use Tax Act, any local occupation or use tax administered by the Department, Section 4 of the Water Commission Act of 1985, subsections (b), (c) and (d) of Section 5.01 of the Local Mass Transit District Act, or subsections (e), (m), and (r) of Section 6.02 of the Metropolitan Mobility Authority Act (e), (f) and (g) of Section 4.03 of the Regional Transportation Authority Act, from such person, the Department may withhold issuance of the credit or refund pending the final disposition of such proceedings and may apply such credit or refund against any amount found to be due to the Department as a result of such proceedings. The balance, if any, of the credit or refund shall be issued to the person entitled thereto.

Any credit memorandum issued hereunder may be used by the authorized holder thereof to pay any tax or penalty or interest due or to become due under this Act, the Service Occupation Tax Act, the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act, the Use Tax Act, any local occupation or use tax administered by the Department, Section 4 of the Water Commission Act of 1985, subsections (b), (c) and (d) of Section 5.01 of the Local Mass Transit District Act, or subsections (e), (m), and (r) of Section 6.02 of the Metropolitan Mobility Authority Act (e), (f) and (g) of Section 4.03 of the Regional Transportation Authority Act, from such holder. Subject to reasonable rules of the Department, a credit memorandum issued hereunder may be assigned by the holder thereof to any other person for use in paying tax or penalty or interest which may be due or become due under this Act, the Service Occupation Tax Act, the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act, the Use Tax Act, any local occupation or use tax administered by the Department, Section 4 of the Water Commission Act of 1985, subsections (b), (c) and (d) of Section 5.01 of the Local Mass Transit District Act, or subsections (e), (m), and (r) of Section 6.02 of the Metropolitan Mobility Authority Act (e), (f) and (g) of Section 4.03 of the Regional Transportation Authority Act, from the assignee.

In any case which there has been an erroneous refund of tax payable under this Act, a notice of tax liability may be issued at any time within 3 years from the making of that refund, or within 5 years from the making of that refund if it appears that any part of the refund was induced by fraud or the misrepresentation of a material fact. The amount of any proposed assessment set forth in the notice shall be limited to the amount of the erroneous refund.

(Source: P.A. 91-901, eff. 1-1-01.)

Section 8.20. The Service Occupation Tax Act is amended by changing Section 20 as follows:

(35 ILCS 115/20) (from Ch. 120, par. 439.120)

Sec. 20. If it is determined that the Department should issue a credit or refund hereunder, the Department may first apply the amount thereof against any amount of tax or penalty or interest due hereunder, or under the Service Use Tax Act, the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act, the Use Tax Act, any local occupation or use tax administered by the Department, Section 4 of the Water Commission Act of 1985, subsections (b), (c) and (d) of Section 5.01 of the Local Mass Transit District Act, or subsections (e), (m), and (r) of Section 6.02 of the Metropolitan Mobility Authority Act (e), (f) and (g) of Section 4.03 of the Regional Transportation Authority Act, from the person entitled to such credit or refund. For this purpose, if proceedings are pending to determine whether or not any tax or penalty or interest is due hereunder, or under the Service Use Tax Act, the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act, the Use Tax Act, any local occupation or use tax administered by the Department, Section 4 of the Water Commission Act of 1985, subsections (b), (c) and (d) of Section 5.01 of the Local Mass Transit District Act, or subsections (e), (m), and (r) of Section 6.02 of the Metropolitan Mobility Authority Act (e), (f) and (g) of Section 4.03 of the Regional Transportation Authority Act, from such person, the Department may withhold issuance of the credit or refund pending the final disposition of such proceedings and may apply such credit or refund against any amount found to be due to the Department as a result of such proceedings. The balance, if any, of the credit or refund shall be issued to the person entitled thereto.

Any credit memorandum issued hereunder may be used by the authorized holder thereof to pay any tax or penalty or interest due or to become due under this Act, or under the Service Use Tax Act, the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act, the Use Tax Act, any local occupation or use tax administered by the Department, Section 4 of the Water Commission Act of 1985, subsections (b), (c) and (d) of Section 5.01 of the Local Mass Transit District Act, or subsections (e), (m), and (r) of Section 6.02 of the Metropolitan Mobility Authority Act (e), (f) and (g) of Section 4.03 of the Regional Transportation Authority Act, from such holder. Subject to reasonable rules of the Department, a credit memorandum issued hereunder may be assigned by the holder thereof to any other person for use in paying tax or penalty or interest which may be due or become due under this Act, the Service Use Tax Act, the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act, the Use Tax Act, any local occupation or use tax administered by the Department, Section 4 of the Water Commission Act of 1985, subsections (b), (c) and (d) of Section 5.01 of the Local Mass Transit District Act, or subsections (e), (m), and (r) of Section 6.02 of the Metropolitan Mobility Authority Act (e), (f) and (g) of Section 4.03 of the Regional Transportation Authority Act, from the assignee.

In any case in which there has been an erroneous refund of tax payable under this Act, a notice of tax liability may be issued at any time within 3 years from the making of that refund, or within 5 years from the making of that refund if it appears that any part of the refund was induced by fraud or the misrepresentation of a material fact. The amount of any proposed assessment set forth in the notice shall be limited to the amount of the erroneous refund.

(Source: P.A. 91-901, eff. 1-1-01.)

Section 8.21. The Retailers' Occupation Tax Act is amended by changing Section 6 as follows:

(35 ILCS 120/6) (from Ch. 120, par. 445)

Sec. 6. Credit memorandum or refund. If it appears, after claim therefor filed with the Department, that an amount of tax or penalty or interest has been paid which was not due under this Act, whether as the result of a mistake of fact or an error of law, except as hereinafter provided, then the Department shall issue a credit memorandum or refund to the person who made the erroneous payment or, if that person died or became a person under legal disability, to his or her legal representative, as such. For purposes of this Section, the tax is deemed to be erroneously paid by a retailer when the manufacturer of a motor vehicle sold by the retailer accepts the return of that automobile and refunds to the purchaser the selling price of that vehicle as provided in the New Vehicle Buyer Protection Act. When a motor vehicle is returned for a refund of the purchase price under the New Vehicle Buyer Protection Act, the Department shall issue a credit memorandum or a refund for the amount of tax paid by the retailer under this Act attributable to the initial sale of that vehicle. Claims submitted by the retailer are subject to the same restrictions and procedures provided for in this Act. If it is determined that the Department should issue a credit memorandum or refund, the Department may first apply the amount thereof against any tax or penalty or interest due or to become due under this Act or under the Use Tax Act, the Service Occupation Tax Act, the Service Use Tax Act, any local occupation or use tax administered by the Department, Section 4 of the Water Commission Act of 1985, subsections (b), (c) and (d) of Section 5.01 of the Local Mass Transit District Act, or subsections (e), (m), and (r) of Section 6.02 of the Metropolitan Mobility Authority Act (e), (f) and (g) of Section 4.03 of the Regional Transportation Authority Act, from the person who made the erroneous payment. If no tax or penalty or interest is due and no proceeding is pending to determine whether such person is indebted to the Department for tax or penalty or interest, the credit memorandum or refund shall be issued to the claimant; or (in the case of a credit memorandum) the credit memorandum may be assigned and set over by the lawful holder thereof, subject to reasonable rules of the Department, to any other person who is subject to this Act, the Use Tax Act, the Service Occupation Tax Act, the Service Use Tax Act, any local occupation or use tax administered by the Department, Section 4 of the Water Commission Act of 1985, subsections (b), (c) and (d) of Section 5.01 of the Local Mass Transit District Act, or subsections (e), (m), and (r) of Section 6.02 of the Metropolitan Mobility Authority Act (e), (f) and (g) of Section 4.03 of the Regional Transportation Authority Act, and the amount thereof applied by the Department against any tax or penalty or interest due or to become due under this Act or under the Use Tax Act, the Service Occupation Tax Act, the Service Use Tax Act, any local occupation or use tax administered by the Department, Section 4 of the Water Commission Act of 1985, subsections (b), (c) and (d) of Section 5.01 of the Local Mass Transit District Act, or subsections (e), (m), and (r) of Section 6.02 of the Metropolitan Mobility Authority Act (e), (f) and (g) of Section 4.03 of the Regional Transportation Authority Act, from such assignee. However, as to any claim for credit or refund filed with the Department on and after each January 1 and July 1 no amount of tax or penalty or interest erroneously paid (either in total or partial liquidation of a tax or penalty or amount of interest under this Act) more than 3 years prior to such January 1 and July 1, respectively, shall be credited or refunded, except that if both the Department and the taxpayer have agreed to an extension of time to issue a notice of tax liability as provided in Section 4 of this Act, such claim may be filed at any time prior to the expiration of the period agreed upon. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act to the contrary, for any period included in a claim for credit or refund for which the statute of limitations for issuing a notice of tax liability under this Act will expire less than 6 months after the date a taxpayer files the claim for credit or refund, the statute of limitations is automatically extended for 6 months from the date it would have otherwise expired.

No claim may be allowed for any amount paid to the Department, whether paid voluntarily or involuntarily, if paid in total or partial liquidation of an assessment which had become final before the claim for credit or refund to recover the amount so paid is filed with the Department, or if paid in total or partial liquidation of a judgment or order of court. No credit may be allowed or refund made for any amount paid by or collected from any claimant unless it appears (a) that the claimant bore the burden of such amount and has not been relieved thereof nor reimbursed therefor and has not shifted such burden directly or indirectly through inclusion of such amount in the price of the tangible personal property sold by him or her or in any manner whatsoever; and that no understanding or agreement, written or oral, exists whereby he or she or his or her legal representative may be relieved of the burden of such amount, be reimbursed therefor or may shift the burden thereof; or (b) that he or she or his or her legal representative has repaid unconditionally such amount to his or her vendee (1) who bore the burden thereof and has not shifted such burden directly or indirectly, in any manner whatsoever; (2) who, if he or she has shifted such burden, has repaid unconditionally such amount to his own vendee; and (3) who is not entitled to receive any reimbursement therefor from any other source than from his or her vendor, nor to be relieved of such burden in any manner whatsoever. No credit may be allowed or refund made for any amount paid by or collected from any claimant unless it appears that the claimant has unconditionally repaid, to the purchaser, any amount collected from the purchaser and retained by the claimant with respect to the same transaction under the Use Tax Act.

Any credit or refund that is allowed under this Section shall bear interest at the rate and in the manner specified in the Uniform Penalty and Interest Act.

In case the Department determines that the claimant is entitled to a refund, such refund shall be made only from the Aviation Fuel Sales Tax Refund Fund or from such appropriation as may be available for that purpose, as appropriate. If it appears unlikely that the amount available would permit everyone having a claim allowed during the period covered by such appropriation or from the Aviation Fuel Sales Tax Refund Fund, as appropriate, to elect to receive a cash refund, the Department, by rule or regulation, shall provide for the payment of refunds in hardship cases and shall define what types of cases qualify as hardship cases.

If a retailer who has failed to pay retailers' occupation tax on gross receipts from retail sales is required by the Department to pay such tax, such retailer, without filing any formal claim with the Department, shall be allowed to take credit against such retailers' occupation tax liability to the extent, if any, to which such retailer has paid an amount equivalent to retailers' occupation tax or has paid use tax in error to his or her vendor or vendors of the same tangible personal property which such retailer bought for resale and did not first use before selling it, and no penalty or interest shall be charged to such retailer on the amount of such credit. However, when such credit is allowed to the retailer by the Department, the vendor is precluded from refunding any of that tax to the retailer and filing a claim for credit or refund with respect thereto with the Department. The provisions of this amendatory Act shall be applied retroactively, regardless of the date of the transaction.

(Source: P.A. 101-10, eff. 6-5-19; 102-40, eff. 6-25-21.)

Section 8.22. The Governmental Tax Reform Validation Act is amended by changing Section 10 as follows:

(35 ILCS 165/10)

Sec. 10. Re-enactment; findings; purpose; validation.

(a) The General Assembly finds and declares that:

(1) The amendatory provisions of this Act were first enacted by Public Act 85-1135 and all related to taxation.

(A) Article I of Public Act 85-1135, effective July 28, 1988, contained provisions stating legislative intent.

(B) Article II of Public Act 85-1135, effective January 1, 1990, contained provisions amending or creating Sections 8-11-1, 8-11-1.1, 8-11-1.2, 8-11-1.3, 8-11-1.4, 8-11-5, 8-11-6, 8-11-6a, 8-11-16, and 11-74.4-8a of the Illinois Municipal Code; Sections 24a-1, 24a-2, 24a-3, 24a-4, and 25.05 of "An Act to revise the law in relation to counties"; Section 4 of the Water Commission Act of 1985; Section 5.01 of the Local Mass Transit District Act; Sections 5.12, 6.02, 6.05, and 6.08 of the Metropolitan Mobility Authority Act Sections 4.01, 4.03, 4.04, and 4.09 of the Regional Transportation Authority Act; Sections 3, 9, and 10b of the Use Tax Act; Sections 2, 3, 3d, 7a, 9, 10, 10b, and 15 of the Service Use Tax Act; Sections 2, 3, 9, 13, 15, and 20.1 of the Service Occupation Tax Act; Sections 2, 3, 5k, and 6d of the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act; and Sections 5.240, 5.241, 6z-16, and 6z-17 of the State Finance Act. Article II of Public Act 85-1135, effective January 1, 1990, also contained provisions repealing Sections 25.05a, 25.05-2, 25.05-2a, 25.05-3, 25.05-3a, 25.05-10, 25.05-10a, and 25.05-10.1 of "An Act to revise the law in relation to counties" and Sections 10 and 14 of the Service Occupation Tax Act.

(C) Article III of Public Act 85-1135, effective September 1, 1988, contained provisions further amending Sections 3 and 9 of the Use Tax Act; Sections 2, 3, and 9 of the Service Use Tax Act; Sections 2, 3, and 9 of the Service Occupation Tax Act; and Sections 2 and 3 of the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act; and amending Section 2 of the State Revenue Sharing Act.

(D) Article IV of Public Act 85-1135, effective July 28, 1988, contained provisions amending Section 6z-9 of the State Finance Act and creating Section .01 of the State Revenue Sharing Act.

(E) Article V of Public Act 85-1135, effective July 28, 1988, contained provisions precluding any effect on a pre-existing right, remedy, or liability and authorizing enactment of home rule municipality ordinances.

(2) Public Act 85-1135 also contained provisions relating to State bonds and creating the Water Pollution Control Revolving Fund loan program.

(3) On August 26, 1998, the Cook County Circuit Court entered an order in the case of Oak Park Arms Associates v. Whitley (No. 92 L 51045), in which it found that Public Act 85-1135 violates the single subject clause of the Illinois Constitution (Article IV, Section 8(d)). As of the time this Act was prepared, the order declaring P.A. 85-1135 invalid has been vacated but the case is subject to appeal.

(4) The tax provisions of Public Act 85-1135 affect many areas of vital concern to the people of this State. The disruption of the tax reform contained in those provisions could constitute a grave threat to the continued health, safety, and welfare of the people of this State.

(b) It is the purpose of this Act to prevent or minimize any problems relating to taxation that may result from challenges to the constitutional validity of Public Act 85-1135, by (1) re-enacting provisions from Public Act 85-1135 and (2) validating all actions taken in reliance on those provisions from Public Act 85-1135.

(c) Because Public Act 86-962, effective January 1, 1990, renumbered Sections 24a-1, 24a-2, 24a-3, 24a-4, and 25.05 of the Counties Code, this Act contains those provisions as renumbered under Sections 5-1006, 5-1007, 5-1008, 5-1009, and 5-1024 of the Counties Code. Because Public Act 86-1475, effective January 10, 1991, resectioned Section 3 of the Use Tax Act, Section 3 of the Service Use Tax Act, Section 3 of the Service Occupation Tax Act, and Section 2 of the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act, this Act contains those provisions as resectioned under Sections 3, 3-5, 3-10, 3-15, 3-20, 3-25, 3-30, 3-35, 3-40, 3-45, 3-50, 3-55, 3-60, 3-65, 3-70, 3-75, and 3-80 of the Use Tax Act; Sections 3, 3-5, 3-10, 3-15, 3-20, 3-25, 3-30, 3-35, 3-40, 3-45, 3-50, 3-55, 3-60, and 3-65 of the Service Use Tax Act; Sections 3, 3-5, 3-10, 3-15, 3-20, 3-25, 3-30, 3-35, 3-40, 3-45, and 3-50 of the Service Occupation Tax Act; and Sections 2, 2-5, 2-10, 2-15, 2-20, 2-25, 2-30, 2-35, 2-40, 2-45, 2-50, 2-55, 2-60, 2-65 of the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act. Because Public Act 85-1440, effective February 1, 1989, renumbered Section 6z-16 of the State Finance Act and Section .01 of the State Revenue Sharing Act, this Act contains those provisions as renumbered under Section 6z-18 of the State Finance Act and Section 0.1 of the State Revenue Sharing Act. Sections 10b of the Use Tax Act, 10b of the Service Use Tax Act, 20.1 of the Service Occupation Tax Act, and 6d of the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act have been omitted from this Act because they were repealed by Public Act 87-1258, effective January 7, 1993.

(d) This Act re-enacts Section 1 of Article I of Public Act 85-1135; Sections 8-11-1, 8-11-1.1, 8-11-1.2, 8-11-1.3, 8-11-1.4, 8-11-5, 8-11-6, 8-11-6a, 8-11-16, and 11-74.4-8a of the Illinois Municipal Code; Sections 5-1006, 5-1007, 5-1008, 5-1009, and 5-1024 of the Counties Code; Section 4 of the Water Commission Act of 1985; Section 5.01 of the Local Mass Transit District Act; Sections 5.12, 6.02, 6.05, and 6.08 of the Metropolitan Mobility Authority Act Sections 4.01, 4.03, 4.04, and 4.09 of the Regional Transportation Authority Act; Sections 3, 3-5, 3-10, 3-15, 3-20, 3-25, 3-30, 3-35, 3-40, 3-45, 3-50, 3-55, 3-60, 3-65, 3-70, 3-75, 3-80, 9, and 10b of the Use Tax Act; Sections 2, 3, 3-5, 3-10, 3-15, 3-20, 3-25, 3-30, 3-35, 3-40, 3-45, 3-50, 3-55, 3-60, 3-65, 3d, 7a, 9, 10, 10b, and 15 of the Service Use Tax Act; Sections 2, 3, 3-5, 3-10, 3-15, 3-20, 3-25, 3-30, 3-35, 3-40, 3-45, 3-50, 9, 13, 15, and 20.1 of the Service Occupation Tax Act; Sections 2, 2-5, 2-10, 2-15, 2-20, 2-25, 2-30, 2-35, 2-40, 2-45, 2-50, 2-55, 2-60, 2-65, 3, 5k, and 6d of the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act; Sections 5.240, 5.241, 6z-9, 6z-17, and 6z-18 of the State Finance Act; Sections 0.1 and 2 of the State Revenue Sharing Act; and Sections 1 and 2 of Article V of Public Act 85-1135 as they have been amended. It also re-repeals Sections 25.05a, 25.05-2, 25.05-2a, 25.05-3, 25.05-3a, 25.05-10, 25.05-10a, and 25.05-10.1 of "An Act to revise the law in relation to counties" and Sections 10 and 14 of the Service Occupation Tax Act. This re-enactment and re-repeal is intended to remove any questions as to the validity or content of those Sections; it is not intended to supersede any other Public Act that amends the text of a Section as set forth in this Act. The re-enacted material in this Act is shown as existing text (i.e., without underscoring) because, as of the time this Act was prepared, the order declaring P.A. 85-1135 invalid has been vacated.

(e) In Sections 100 and 900 of this Act, references to "this amendatory Act of 1988" mean Public Act 85-1135, as re-enacted by this Act.

(f) The re-enactment or re-repeal of Sections of Public Act 85-1135 by this Act is not intended, and shall not be construed, to imply that Public Act 85-1135 is invalid or to limit or impair any legal argument (1) upholding the validity of Public Act 85-1135 or (2) concerning whether the provisions of Public Act 85-1135 were substantially re-enacted by other Public Acts.

(g) All otherwise lawful actions taken in reasonable reliance on or pursuant to the Sections re-enacted by this Act, as set forth in Public Act 85-1135 or subsequently amended, by any officer, employee, agency, or unit of State or local government or by any other person or entity, are hereby validated.

With respect to actions taken in relation to matters arising under the Sections re-enacted by this Act, as set forth in Public Act 85-1135 or subsequently amended, a person is rebuttably presumed to have acted in reasonable reliance on and pursuant to the provisions of Public Act 85-1135, as those provisions had been amended at the time the action was taken.

(h) With respect to its administration of matters arising under the Sections re-enacted by this Act, the Department of Revenue shall continue to apply the provisions of Public Act 85-1135, as those provisions had been amended at the relevant time.

(i) This Act applies, without limitation, to proceedings pending on or after the effective date of this Act.

(Source: P.A. 91-51, eff. 6-30-99.)

Section 8.23. The Simplified Sales and Use Tax Administration Act is amended by changing Section 2 as follows:

(35 ILCS 171/2)

Sec. 2. Definitions. As used in this Act:

(a) "Agreement" means the Streamlined Sales and Use Tax Agreement as amended and adopted on January 27, 2001.

(b) "Certified Automated System" means software certified jointly by the states that are signatories to the Agreement to calculate the tax imposed by each jurisdiction on a transaction, determine the amount of tax to remit to the appropriate state, and maintain a record of the transaction.

(c) "Certified Service Provider" means an agent certified jointly by the states that are signatories to the Agreement to perform all of the seller's sales tax functions.

(d) "Person" means an individual, trust, estate, fiduciary, partnership, limited liability company, limited liability partnership, corporation, or any other legal entity.

(e) "Sales Tax" means the tax levied under the Service Occupation Tax Act (35 ILCS 115/) and the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act (35 ILCS 120/). "Sales tax" also means any local sales tax levied under the Home Rule Municipal Retailers' Occupation Tax Act (65 ILCS 5/8-11-1), the Non-Home Rule Municipal Retailers' Occupation Tax Act (65 ILCS 5/8-11-1.3), the Non-Home Rule Municipal Service Occupation Tax Act (65 ILCS 5/8-11-1.4), the Home Rule Municipal Service Occupation Tax (65 ILCS 5/8-11-5), the Home Rule County Retailers' Occupation Tax Law (55 ILCS 5/5-1006), the Special County Occupation Tax for Public Safety, Public Facilities, Mental Health, Substance Abuse, or Transportation Law (55 ILCS 5/5-1006.5), the Home Rule County Service Occupation Tax Law (55 ILCS 5/5-1007), subsection (b) of the Rock Island County Use and Occupation Tax Law (55 ILCS 5/5-1008.5(b)), the Metro East Mass Transit District Retailers' Occupation Tax (70 ILCS 3610/5.01(b)), the Metro East Mass Transit District Service Occupation Tax (70 ILCS 3610/5.01(c)), the Metropolitan Mobility Regional Transportation Authority Retailers' Occupation Tax (subsection (e) of Section 6.02 of the Metropolitan Mobility Authority Act) 70 ILCS 3615/4.03(e) ), the Metropolitan Mobility Regional Transportation Authority Service Occupation Tax (70 ILCS 3615/4.03(f)), the County Water Commission Retailers' Occupation Tax (70 ILCS 3720/4(b)), or the County Water Commission Service Occupation Tax (70 ILCS 3720/4(c)).

(f) "Seller" means any person making sales of personal property or services.

(g) "State" means any state of the United States and the District of Columbia.

(h) "Use tax" means the tax levied under the Use Tax Act (35 ILCS 105/) and the Service Use Tax Act (35 ILCS 110/). "Use tax" also means any local use tax levied under the Home Rule Municipal Use Tax Act (65 ILCS 5/8-11-6(b)), provided that the State and the municipality have entered into an agreement that provides for administration of the tax by the State.

(Source: P.A. 100-1167, eff. 1-4-19.)

Section 8.24. The Property Tax Code is amended by changing Section 15-100 as follows:

(35 ILCS 200/15-100)

Sec. 15-100. Public transportation systems.

(a) All property belonging to any municipal corporation created for the sole purpose of owning and operating a transportation system for public service is exempt.

(b) Property owned by (i) a municipal corporation of 500,000 or more inhabitants, used for public transportation purposes, and operated by the Metropolitan Mobility Chicago Transit Authority; (ii) the Metropolitan Mobility Regional Transportation Authority; (iii) (blank); or any service board or division of the Regional Transportation Authority; (iv) the Northeast Illinois Regional Commuter Railroad Corporation; or (v) the Chicago Transit Authority shall be exempt. For purposes of this Section alone, the Metropolitan Mobility Authority Regional Transportation Authority, any service board or division of the Regional Transportation Authority, the Northeast Illinois Regional Commuter Railroad Corporation, the Chicago Transit Authority, or a municipal corporation, as defined in item (i), shall be deemed an "eligible transportation authority". The exemption provided in this subsection shall not be affected by any transaction in which, for the purpose of obtaining financing, the eligible transportation authority, directly or indirectly, leases or otherwise transfers such property to another whose property is not exempt and immediately thereafter enters into a leaseback or other agreement that directly or indirectly gives the eligible transportation authority a right to use, control, and possess the property. In the case of a conveyance of such property, the eligible transportation authority must retain an option to purchase the property at a future date or, within the limitations period for reverters, the property must revert back to the eligible transportation authority.

(c) If such property has been conveyed as described in subsection (b), the property will no longer be exempt pursuant to this Section as of the date when:

(1) the right of the eligible transportation authority to use, control, and possess the property has been terminated;

(2) the eligible transportation authority no longer has an option to purchase or otherwise acquire the property; and

(3) there is no provision for a reverter of the property to the eligible transportation authority within the limitations period for reverters.

(d) Pursuant to Sections 15-15 and 15-20 of this Code, the eligible transportation authority shall notify the chief county assessment officer of any transaction under subsection (b) of this Section. The chief county assessment officer shall determine initial and continuing compliance with the requirements of this Section for tax exemption. Failure to notify the chief county assessment officer of a transaction under this Section or to otherwise comply with the requirements of Sections 15-15 and 15-20 of this Code shall, in the discretion of the chief county assessment officer, constitute cause to terminate the exemption, notwithstanding any other provision of this Code.

(e) No provision of this Section shall be construed to affect the obligation of the eligible transportation authority to which an exemption certificate has been issued under this Section from its obligation under Section 15-10 of this Code to file an annual certificate of status or to notify the chief county assessment officer of transfers of interest or other changes in the status of the property as required by this Code.

(f) The changes made by this amendatory Act of 1997 are declarative of existing law and shall not be construed as a new enactment.

(Source: P.A. 90-562, eff. 12-16-97.)

Section 8.25. The Motor Fuel Tax Law is amended by changing Section 8b as follows:

(35 ILCS 505/8b)

Sec. 8b. Transportation Renewal Fund; creation; distribution of proceeds.

(a) The Transportation Renewal Fund is hereby created as a special fund in the State treasury. Moneys in the Fund shall be used as provided in this Section:

(1) 80% of the moneys in the Fund shall be used for highway maintenance, highway construction, bridge repair, congestion relief, and construction of aviation facilities; of that 80%:

(A) the State Comptroller shall order transferred and the State Treasurer shall transfer 60% to the State Construction Account Fund; those moneys shall be used solely for construction, reconstruction, improvement, repair, maintenance, operation, and administration of highways and are limited to payments made pursuant to design and construction contracts awarded by the Department of Transportation;

(B) 40% shall be distributed by the Department of Transportation to municipalities, counties, and road districts of the State using the percentages set forth in subdivisions (A), (B), (C), and (D) of paragraph (2) of subsection (e) of Section 8; distributions to particular municipalities, counties, and road districts under this subdivision (B) shall be made according to the allocation procedures described for municipalities, counties, and road districts in subsection (e) of Section 8 and shall be subject to the same requirements and limitations described in that subsection; and

(2) 20% of the moneys in the Fund shall be used for projects related to rail facilities and mass transit facilities, as defined in Section 2705-305 of the Department of Transportation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois, including rapid transit, rail, high-speed rail, bus and other equipment in connection with the State or a unit of local government, special district, municipal corporation, or other public agency authorized to provide and promote public transportation within the State; of that 20%:

(A) 90% shall be deposited into the Metropolitan Mobility Regional Transportation Authority Capital Improvement Fund, a special fund created in the State treasury Treasury; moneys in the Metropolitan Mobility Regional Transportation Authority Capital Improvement Fund shall be used by the Metropolitan Mobility Regional Transportation Authority for construction, improvements, and deferred maintenance on mass transit facilities and acquisition of buses and other equipment; and

(B) 10% shall be deposited into the Downstate Mass Transportation Capital Improvement Fund, a special fund created in the State treasury Treasury; moneys in the Downstate Mass Transportation Capital Improvement Fund shall be used by local mass transit districts other than the Metropolitan Mobility Regional Transportation Authority for construction, improvements, and deferred maintenance on mass transit facilities and acquisition of buses and other equipment.

(b) Beginning on July 1, 2020, the Auditor General shall conduct an annual financial audit of the obligations, expenditures, receipt, and use of the funds deposited into the Transportation Renewal Fund and provide specific recommendations to help ensure compliance with State and federal statutes, rules, and regulations.

(Source: P.A. 101-32, eff. 6-28-19; 101-604, eff. 12-13-19.)

Section 8.26. The Postage Stamp Vending Machine Act is amended by changing Section 1 as follows:

(35 ILCS 815/1) (from Ch. 121 1/2, par. 911)

Sec. 1. Vending machines which vend only United States postage stamps are exempt from license fees or any excise or license tax levied by the State of Illinois or any county or municipality or other taxing district thereof, but are not exempt from State, county, municipal, or Metropolitan Mobility Regional Transportation Authority occupation and use taxes.

(Source: P.A. 82-985.)

Section 8.27. The Illinois Pension Code is amended by changing Sections 8-230.1, 11-221.1, 18-112, 22-101, 22-101B, 22-103, and 22-105 as follows:

(40 ILCS 5/8-230.1) (from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 8-230.1)

Sec. 8-230.1. Right of employees to contribute for certain other service. Any employee in the service, after having made contributions covering a period of 10 or more years to the annuity and benefit fund herein provided for, may elect to pay for and receive credit for all annuity purposes for service theretofore rendered by the employee to the Chicago Transit Authority created by the Metropolitan Transit Authority Act (repealed) or its predecessor public utilities; provided that the last 5 years of service prior to retirement on annuity shall have been as an employee of the City and a contributor to this Fund. Such service credit may be paid for and granted on the same basis and conditions as are applicable in the case of employees who make payment for past service under the provisions of Section 8-230, but on the assumption that the employee's salary throughout all of his or her service with the Authority or its predecessor public utilities was at the rate of the employee's salary at the later of the date of his or her entrance or reentrance into the service as a municipal employee, as applicable. In no event, however, shall such service be credited if the employee has not forfeited and relinquished pension credit for service covering such period under any pension or retirement plan applicable to the Authority or its predecessor public utilities and instituted and maintained by the Authority or its predecessor public utilities for the benefit of its employees.

(Source: P.A. 103-455, eff. 1-1-24.)

(40 ILCS 5/11-221.1) (from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 11-221.1)

Sec. 11-221.1. Right of employees to contribute for certain other service. Any employee in the service, after having made contributions covering a period of 10 or more years to the annuity and benefit fund herein provided for, may elect to pay for and receive credit for all annuity purposes for service theretofore rendered by the employee to the Chicago Transit Authority created by the Metropolitan Transit Authority Act (repealed); provided that if the employee has more than 10 years of such service, only the last 10 years of such service shall be credited. Such service credit may be paid for and granted on the same basis and conditions as are applicable in the case of employees who make payment for past service under the provisions of Section 11-221, but on the assumption that the employee's salary throughout all of his or her service with the Authority was at the rate of the employee's salary at the date of his or her entrance into the service as an employee. In no event, however, shall such service be credited if the employee has not forfeited and relinquished pension credit for service covering such period under any pension or retirement plan applicable to the Authority and instituted and maintained by the Authority for the benefit of its employees.

(Source: P.A. 90-655, eff. 7-30-98.)

(40 ILCS 5/18-112) (from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 18-112)

Sec. 18-112. Service. "Service": The period beginning on the day a person first became a judge, whether prior or subsequent to the effective date, and ending on the date under consideration, excluding all intervening periods during which he or she was not a judge following resignation or expiration of any term of election or appointment.

Service also includes the following: (a) Any period prior to January 1, 1964 during which a judge served as a justice of the peace, police magistrate or master in chancery, or as a civil referee, commissioner or trial assistant to the chief judge in the Municipal Court of Chicago, or performed judicial duties as an assistant to the judge of the Probate Court of Cook County. A judge shall be entitled to credit for all or as much as the judge may desire of such service, not exceeding 8 years, upon payment of the participant's contribution covering such service at the contribution rates in effect on July 1, 1969, together with interest at 4% per annum compounded annually, from the dates the service was rendered to the date of payment, provided credit for such service had not been granted in any public pension fund or retirement system in the State. The required contributions shall be based upon the rate of salary in effect for the judge on the date he or she entered the system or on January 1, 1964, whichever is later.

(b) Service rendered after January 1, 1964, as a holdover magistrate or master in chancery of the Circuit Court. A judge shall be entitled to credit for any period of such service, not exceeding a total of 8 years, together with the period of service taken into account in paragraph (a). Service credit under this paragraph is subject to the same contribution requirements and other limitations that are prescribed for service credit under paragraph (a).

(c) Any period that a participant served as a member of the General Assembly, subject to the following conditions:

(1) He or she has been a participant in this system for at least 4 years and has contributed to the system for service rendered as a member of the General Assembly subsequent to November 1, 1941, at the contribution rates in effect for a judge on the date of becoming a participant, including interest at 3% per annum compounded annually from the date such service was rendered to the date of payment, based on the salary in effect during such period of service; and

(2) The participant is not entitled to credit for such service in any other public retirement system in the State.

(d) Any period a participant served as a judge or commissioner of the Court of Claims of this State after November 1, 1941, provided he or she contributes to the system at the contribution rates in effect on the date of becoming a participant, based on salary received during such service, including interest at 3% per annum compounded annually from the date such service was rendered to the date of payment.

(e) Any period that a participant served as State's Attorney or Public Defender of any county of this State, subject to the following conditions: (1) such service was not credited under any public pension fund or retirement system; (2) the maximum service to be credited in this system shall be 8 years; (3) the participant must have at least 6 years of service as a judge and as a participant of this system; and (4) the participant has made contributions to the system for such service at the contribution rates in effect on the date of becoming a participant in this system based upon the salary of the judge on such date, including interest at 4% per annum compounded annually from such date to the date of payment.

A judge who terminated service before January 26, 1988 and whose retirement annuity began after January 1, 1988 may establish credit for service as a Public Defender in accordance with the other provisions of this subsection by making application and paying the required contributions to the Board not later than 30 days after August 23, 1989. In such cases, the Board shall recalculate the retirement annuity, effective on the first day of the next calendar month beginning at least 30 days after the application is received.

(f) Any period as a participating policeman, employee or teacher under Article 5, 14 or 16 of this Code, subject to the following conditions: (1) the credits accrued under Article 5, 14 or 16 have been transferred to this system; and (2) the participant has contributed to the system an amount equal to (A) contributions at the rate in effect for participants at the date of membership in this system based upon the salary of the judge on such date, (B) the employer's share of the normal cost under this system for each year that credit is being established, based on the salary in effect at the date of membership in this system, and (C) interest at 6% per annum, compounded annually, from the date of membership to the date of payment; less (D) the amount transferred on behalf of the participant from Article 5, 14 or 16.

(g) Any period that a participant served as the Administrative Director of the Circuit Court of Cook County, as Executive Director of the Home Rule Commission, as assistant corporation counsel in the Chicago Law Department, or as an employee of the Cook County Treasurer, subject to the following conditions: (1) the maximum amount of such service which may be credited is 10 years; (2) in order to qualify for such credit in this system, a judge must have at least 6 years of service as a judge and participant of this system; (3) the last 6 years of service credited in this system shall be as a judge and a participant in this system; (4) credits accrued to the participant under any other public pension fund or public retirement system in the State, if any, by reason of the service to be established under this paragraph (g) has been transferred to this system; and (5) the participant has contributed to this system the amount, if any, by which the amount transferred pursuant to subdivision (4) of this paragraph, if any, is less than the amount which the participant would have contributed to the system during the period of time being counted as service under this paragraph had the participant been a judge participating in this system during that time, based on the rate of contribution in effect and the salary earned by the participant on the date he or she became a participant, with interest accruing on such deficiency at a rate of 5% per annum from the date he or she became a participant through the date on which such deficiency is paid.

(h) Any period that a participant served as a full-time attorney employed by the Chicago Transit Authority created by the Metropolitan Transit Authority Act (repealed), subject to the following conditions: (1) any credit received for such service in the pension fund established under Section 22-101 has been terminated; (2) the maximum amount of such service to be credited in this system shall be 10 years; (3) the participant must have at least 6 years of service as a judge and as a participant of this system; and (4) the participant has made contributions to the system for such service at the contribution rates in effect on the date of becoming a participant in this system based upon the salary of the judge on such date, including interest at 5% per annum compounded annually from such date to the date of payment.

(i) Any period during which a participant received temporary total disability benefit payments, as provided in Section 18-126.1.

Service during a fraction of a month shall be considered a month of service, but no more than one month of service shall be credited for all service during any calendar month.

(Source: P.A. 86-272; 86-273; 86-1028; 87-1265.)

(40 ILCS 5/22-101) (from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 22-101)

Sec. 22-101. Retirement Plan for Chicago Transit Authority Employees.

(a) There shall be established and maintained by the Metropolitan Mobility Authority created by the Metropolitan Mobility Authority Act the Authority created by the "Metropolitan Transit Authority Act", approved April 12, 1945, as amended, (referred to in this Section as the "Authority") a financially sound pension and retirement system adequate to provide for all payments when due under such established system or as modified from time to time by ordinance of the Authority Chicago Transit Board or collective bargaining agreement. For this purpose, the Metropolitan Mobility Authority Board must make contributions to the established system as required under this Section and may make any additional contributions provided for by Board ordinance or collective bargaining agreement. The participating employees shall make such periodic payments to the established system as required under this Section and may make any additional contributions provided for by Board ordinance or collective bargaining agreement.

Provisions shall be made by the Board for all officers, except those who first become members on or after January 1, 2012, and employees of the Authority appointed pursuant to the "Metropolitan Transit Authority Act" (repealed) to become, subject to reasonable rules and regulations, participants of the pension or retirement system with uniform rights, privileges, obligations and status as to the class in which such officers and employees belong. The terms, conditions and provisions of any pension or retirement system or of any amendment or modification thereof affecting employees who are members of any labor organization may be established, amended or modified by agreement with such labor organization, provided the terms, conditions and provisions must be consistent with this Act, the annual funding levels for the retirement system established by law must be met and the benefits paid to future participants in the system may not exceed the benefit ceilings set for future participants under this Act and the contribution levels required by the Authority and its employees may not be less than the contribution levels established under this Act.

(b) The Board of Trustees shall consist of 11 members appointed as follows: (i) 6 5 trustees shall be appointed by the Metropolitan Mobility Authority Board Chicago Transit Board; (ii) 3 trustees shall be appointed by an organization representing the highest number of Chicago Transit Authority participants; (iii) one trustee shall be appointed by an organization representing the second-highest number of Chicago Transit Authority participants; and (iv) one trustee shall be appointed by the recognized coalition representatives of participants who are not represented by an organization with the highest or second-highest number of Chicago Transit Authority participants; and (v) one trustee shall be selected by the Regional Transportation Authority Board of Directors, and the trustee shall be a professional fiduciary who has experience in the area of collectively bargained pension plans. Those trustees serving on the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 103rd General Assembly appointed by the Chicago Transit Board and the Regional Transportation Authority Board of Directors shall continue serving until their terms end or they are replaced by the Metropolitan Mobility Authority Board. Trustees shall serve until a successor has been appointed and qualified, or until resignation, death, incapacity, or disqualification.

Any person appointed as a trustee of the board shall qualify by taking an oath of office that he or she will diligently and honestly administer the affairs of the system and will not knowingly violate or willfully permit the violation of any of the provisions of law applicable to the Plan, including Sections 1-109, 1-109.1, 1-109.2, 1-110, 1-111, 1-114, and 1-115 of the Illinois Pension Code.

Each trustee shall cast individual votes, and a majority vote shall be final and binding upon all interested parties, provided that the Board of Trustees may require a supermajority vote with respect to the investment of the assets of the Retirement Plan, and may set forth that requirement in the Retirement Plan documents, by-laws, or rules of the Board of Trustees. Each trustee shall have the rights, privileges, authority, and obligations as are usual and customary for such fiduciaries.

The Board of Trustees may cause amounts on deposit in the Retirement Plan to be invested in those investments that are permitted investments for the investment of moneys held under any one or more of the pension or retirement systems of the State, any unit of local government or school district, or any agency or instrumentality thereof. The Board, by a vote of at least two-thirds of the trustees, may transfer investment management to the Illinois State Board of Investment, which is hereby authorized to manage these investments when so requested by the Board of Trustees.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article or any law to the contrary, any person who first became becomes a member of the Chicago Transit Board on or after January 1, 2012 shall not be eligible to participate in this Retirement Plan.

(c) All individuals who were previously participants in the Retirement Plan for Chicago Transit Authority Employees shall remain participants, and shall receive the same benefits established by the Retirement Plan for Chicago Transit Authority Employees, except as provided in this amendatory Act or by subsequent legislative enactment or amendment to the Retirement Plan. For Authority employees hired on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 95th General Assembly, the Retirement Plan for Chicago Transit Authority Employees shall be the exclusive retirement plan and such employees shall not be eligible for any supplemental plan, except for a deferred compensation plan funded only by employee contributions.

For all Authority employees who are first hired on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 95th General Assembly and are participants in the Retirement Plan for Chicago Transit Authority Employees, the following terms, conditions and provisions with respect to retirement shall be applicable:

(1) Such participant shall be eligible for an unreduced retirement allowance for life upon the attainment of age 64 with 25 years of continuous service.

(2) Such participant shall be eligible for a reduced retirement allowance for life upon the attainment of age 55 with 10 years of continuous service.

(3) For the purpose of determining the retirement allowance to be paid to a retiring employee, the term "Continuous Service" as used in the Retirement Plan for Chicago Transit Authority Employees shall also be deemed to include all pension credit for service with any retirement system established under Article 8 or Article 11 of this Code, provided that the employee forfeits and relinquishes all pension credit under Article 8 or Article 11 of this Code, and the contribution required under this subsection is made by the employee. The Retirement Plan's actuary shall determine the contribution paid by the employee as an amount equal to the normal cost of the benefit accrued, had the service been rendered as an employee, plus interest per annum from the time such service was rendered until the date the payment is made.

(d) From the effective date of this amendatory Act through December 31, 2008, all participating employees shall contribute to the Retirement Plan in an amount not less than 6% of compensation, and the Authority shall contribute to the Retirement Plan in an amount not less than 12% of compensation.

(e)(1) Beginning January 1, 2009 the Authority shall make contributions to the Retirement Plan in an amount equal to twelve percent (12%) of compensation and participating employees shall make contributions to the Retirement Plan in an amount equal to six percent (6%) of compensation. These contributions may be paid by the Authority and participating employees on a payroll or other periodic basis, but shall in any case be paid to the Retirement Plan at least monthly.

(2) For the period ending December 31, 2040, the amount paid by the Authority in any year with respect to debt service on bonds issued for the purposes of funding a contribution to the Retirement Plan under Section 12c of the Metropolitan Transit Authority Act (repealed), other than debt service paid with the proceeds of bonds or notes issued by the Authority for any year after calendar year 2008, shall be treated as a credit against the amount of required contribution to the Retirement Plan by the Authority under subsection (e)(1) for the following year up to an amount not to exceed 6% of compensation paid by the Authority in that following year.

(3) By September 15 of each year beginning in 2009 and ending on December 31, 2039, on the basis of a report prepared by an enrolled actuary retained by the Plan, the Board of Trustees of the Retirement Plan shall determine the estimated funded ratio of the total assets of the Retirement Plan to its total actuarially determined liabilities. A report containing that determination and the actuarial assumptions on which it is based shall be filed with the Authority, the representatives of its participating employees, the Auditor General of the State of Illinois, and the Metropolitan Mobility Regional Transportation Authority. If the funded ratio is projected to decline below 60% in any year before 2040, the Board of Trustees shall also determine the increased contribution required each year as a level percentage of payroll over the years remaining until 2040 using the projected unit credit actuarial cost method so the funded ratio does not decline below 60% and include that determination in its report. If the actual funded ratio declines below 60% in any year prior to 2040, the Board of Trustees shall also determine the increased contribution required each year as a level percentage of payroll during the years after the then current year using the projected unit credit actuarial cost method so the funded ratio is projected to reach at least 60% no later than 10 years after the then current year and include that determination in its report. Within 60 days after receiving the report, the Auditor General shall review the determination and the assumptions on which it is based, and if he finds that the determination and the assumptions on which it is based are unreasonable in the aggregate, he shall issue a new determination of the funded ratio, the assumptions on which it is based and the increased contribution required each year as a level percentage of payroll over the years remaining until 2040 using the projected unit credit actuarial cost method so the funded ratio does not decline below 60%, or, in the event of an actual decline below 60%, so the funded ratio is projected to reach 60% by no later than 10 years after the then current year. If the Board of Trustees or the Auditor General determine that an increased contribution is required to meet the funded ratio required by the subsection, effective January 1 following the determination or 30 days after such determination, whichever is later, one-third of the increased contribution shall be paid by participating employees and two-thirds by the Authority, in addition to the contributions required by this subsection (1).

(4) For the period beginning 2040, the minimum contribution to the Retirement Plan for each fiscal year shall be an amount determined by the Board of Trustees of the Retirement Plan to be sufficient to bring the total assets of the Retirement Plan up to 90% of its total actuarial liabilities by the end of 2059. Participating employees shall be responsible for one-third of the required contribution and the Authority shall be responsible for two-thirds of the required contribution. In making these determinations, the Board of Trustees shall calculate the required contribution each year as a level percentage of payroll over the years remaining to and including fiscal year 2059 using the projected unit credit actuarial cost method. A report containing that determination and the actuarial assumptions on which it is based shall be filed by September 15 of each year with the Authority, the representatives of its participating employees, the Auditor General of the State of Illinois and the Metropolitan Mobility Regional Transportation Authority. If the funded ratio is projected to fail to reach 90% by December 31, 2059, the Board of Trustees shall also determine the increased contribution required each year as a level percentage of payroll over the years remaining until December 31, 2059 using the projected unit credit actuarial cost method so the funded ratio will meet 90% by December 31, 2059 and include that determination in its report. Within 60 days after receiving the report, the Auditor General shall review the determination and the assumptions on which it is based and if he finds that the determination and the assumptions on which it is based are unreasonable in the aggregate, he shall issue a new determination of the funded ratio, the assumptions on which it is based and the increased contribution required each year as a level percentage of payroll over the years remaining until December 31, 2059 using the projected unit credit actuarial cost method so the funded ratio reaches no less than 90% by December 31, 2059. If the Board of Trustees or the Auditor General determine that an increased contribution is required to meet the funded ratio required by this subsection, effective January 1 following the determination or 30 days after such determination, whichever is later, one-third of the increased contribution shall be paid by participating employees and two-thirds by the Authority, in addition to the contributions required by subsection (e)(1).

(5) Beginning in 2060, the minimum contribution for each year shall be the amount needed to maintain the total assets of the Retirement Plan at 90% of the total actuarial liabilities of the Plan, and the contribution shall be funded two-thirds by the Authority and one-third by the participating employees in accordance with this subsection.

(f) The Authority shall take the steps necessary to comply with Section 414(h)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, to permit the pick-up of employee contributions under subsections (d) and (e) on a tax-deferred basis.

(g) The Board of Trustees shall certify to the Governor, the General Assembly, the Auditor General, the Board of the Metropolitan Mobility Regional Transportation Authority, and the Authority at least 90 days prior to the end of each fiscal year the amount of the required contributions to the retirement system for the next retirement system fiscal year under this Section. The certification shall include a copy of the actuarial recommendations upon which it is based. In addition, copies of the certification shall be sent to the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability and the Mayor of Chicago.

(h)(1) As to an employee who first becomes entitled to a retirement allowance commencing on or after November 30, 1989, the retirement allowance shall be the amount determined in accordance with the following formula:

(A) One percent (1%) of his "Average Annual Compensation in the highest four (4) completed Plan Years" for each full year of continuous service from the date of original employment to the effective date of the Plan; plus

(B) One and seventy-five hundredths percent (1.75%) of his "Average Annual Compensation in the highest four (4) completed Plan Years" for each year (including fractions thereof to completed calendar months) of continuous service as provided for in the Retirement Plan for Chicago Transit Authority Employees. Provided, however that:

(2) As to an employee who first becomes entitled to a retirement allowance commencing on or after January 1, 1993, the retirement allowance shall be the amount determined in accordance with the following formula:

(A) One percent (1%) of his "Average Annual Compensation in the highest four (4) completed Plan Years" for each full year of continuous service from the date of original employment to the effective date of the Plan; plus

(B) One and eighty hundredths percent (1.80%) of his "Average Annual Compensation in the highest four (4) completed Plan Years" for each year (including fractions thereof to completed calendar months) of continuous service as provided for in the Retirement Plan for Chicago Transit Authority Employees. Provided, however that:

(3) As to an employee who first becomes entitled to a retirement allowance commencing on or after January 1, 1994, the retirement allowance shall be the amount determined in accordance with the following formula:

(A) One percent (1%) of his "Average Annual Compensation in the highest four (4) completed Plan Years" for each full year of continuous service from the date of original employment to the effective date of the Plan; plus

(B) One and eighty-five hundredths percent (1.85%) of his "Average Annual Compensation in the highest four (4) completed Plan Years" for each year (including fractions thereof to completed calendar months) of continuous service as provided for in the Retirement Plan for Chicago Transit Authority Employees. Provided, however that:

(4) As to an employee who first becomes entitled to a retirement allowance commencing on or after January 1, 2000, the retirement allowance shall be the amount determined in accordance with the following formula:

(A) One percent (1%) of his "Average Annual Compensation in the highest four (4) completed Plan Years" for each full year of continuous service from the date of original employment to the effective date of the Plan; plus

(B) Two percent (2%) of his "Average Annual Compensation in the highest four (4) completed Plan Years" for each year (including fractions thereof to completed calendar months) of continuous service as provided for in the Retirement Plan for Chicago Transit Authority Employees. Provided, however that:

(5) As to an employee who first becomes entitled to a retirement allowance commencing on or after January 1, 2001, the retirement allowance shall be the amount determined in accordance with the following formula:

(A) One percent (1%) of his "Average Annual Compensation in the highest four (4) completed Plan Years" for each full year of continuous service from the date of original employment to the effective date of the Plan; plus

(B) Two and fifteen hundredths percent (2.15%) of his "Average Annual Compensation in the highest four (4) completed Plan Years" for each year (including fractions thereof to completed calendar months) of continuous service as provided for in the Retirement Plan for Chicago Transit Authority Employees.

The changes made by this amendatory Act of the 95th General Assembly, to the extent that they affect the rights or privileges of Authority employees that are currently the subject of collective bargaining, have been agreed to between the authorized representatives of these employees and of the Authority prior to enactment of this amendatory Act, as evidenced by a Memorandum of Understanding between these representatives that will be filed with the Secretary of State Index Department and designated as "95-GA-C05". The General Assembly finds and declares that those changes are consistent with 49 U.S.C. 5333(b) (also known as Section 13(c) of the Federal Transit Act) because of this agreement between authorized representatives of these employees and of the Authority, and that any future amendments to the provisions of this amendatory Act of the 95th General Assembly, to the extent those amendments would affect the rights and privileges of Authority employees that are currently the subject of collective bargaining, would be consistent with 49 U.S.C. 5333(b) if and only if those amendments were agreed to between these authorized representatives prior to enactment.

(i) Early retirement incentive plan; funded ratio.

(1) Beginning on the effective date of this Section, no early retirement incentive shall be offered to participants of the Plan unless the Funded Ratio of the Plan is at least 80% or more.

(2) For the purposes of this Section, the Funded Ratio shall be the Adjusted Assets divided by the Actuarial Accrued Liability developed in accordance with Statement #25 promulgated by the Government Accounting Standards Board and the actuarial assumptions described in the Plan. The Adjusted Assets shall be calculated based on the methodology described in the Plan.

(j) Nothing in this amendatory Act of the 95th General Assembly shall impair the rights or privileges of Authority employees under any other law.

(k) Any individual who, on or after August 19, 2011 (the effective date of Public Act 97-442), first becomes a participant of the Retirement Plan shall not be paid any of the benefits provided under this Code if he or she is convicted of a felony relating to, arising out of, or in connection with his or her service as a participant.

This subsection (k) shall not operate to impair any contract or vested right acquired before August 19, 2011 (the effective date of Public Act 97-442) under any law or laws continued in this Code, and it shall not preclude the right to refund.

(Source: P.A. 97-442, eff. 8-19-11; 97-609, eff. 1-1-12; 97-813, eff. 7-13-12.)

(40 ILCS 5/22-101B)

Sec. 22-101B. Health Care Benefits.

(a) The Metropolitan Mobility Chicago Transit Authority (hereinafter referred to in this Section as the "Authority") shall take all actions lawfully available to it to separate the funding of health care benefits for retirees and their dependents and survivors from the funding for its retirement system. The Authority shall endeavor to achieve this separation as soon as possible, and in any event no later than July 1, 2009.

(b) Effective 90 days after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 95th General Assembly, a Retiree Health Care Trust is established for the purpose of providing health care benefits to eligible retirees and their dependents and survivors in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in this Section 22-101B. The Retiree Health Care Trust shall be solely responsible for providing health care benefits to eligible retirees and their dependents and survivors upon the exhaustion of the account established by the Retirement Plan for Chicago Transit Authority Employees pursuant to Section 401(h) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, but no earlier than January 1, 2009 and no later than July 1, 2009.

(1) The Board of Trustees shall consist of 7 members appointed as follows: (i) 4 3 trustees shall be appointed by the Metropolitan Mobility Authority Board Chicago Transit Board; (ii) one trustee shall be appointed by an organization representing the highest number of former Chicago Transit Authority participants; (iii) one trustee shall be appointed by an organization representing the second-highest number of former Chicago Transit Authority participants; and (iv) one trustee shall be appointed by the recognized coalition representatives of participants who are not represented by an organization with the highest or second-highest number of former Chicago Transit Authority participants; and (v) one trustee shall be selected by the Regional Transportation Authority Board of Directors, and the trustee shall be a professional fiduciary who has experience in the area of collectively bargained retiree health plans. Those trustees serving on the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 103rd General Assembly appointed by the Chicago Transit Board and the Regional Transportation Authority Board of Directors shall continue serving until their terms end or they are replaced by the Metropolitan Mobility Authority Board. Trustees shall serve until a successor has been appointed and qualified, or until resignation, death, incapacity, or disqualification.

Any person appointed as a trustee of the board shall qualify by taking an oath of office that he or she will diligently and honestly administer the affairs of the system, and will not knowingly violate or willfully permit the violation of any of the provisions of law applicable to the Plan, including Sections 1-109, 1-109.1, 1-109.2, 1-110, 1-111, 1-114, and 1-115 of Article 1 of the Illinois Pension Code.

Each trustee shall cast individual votes, and a majority vote shall be final and binding upon all interested parties, provided that the Board of Trustees may require a supermajority vote with respect to the investment of the assets of the Retiree Health Care Trust, and may set forth that requirement in the trust agreement or by-laws of the Board of Trustees. Each trustee shall have the rights, privileges, authority and obligations as are usual and customary for such fiduciaries.

(2) The Board of Trustees shall establish and administer a health care benefit program for eligible retirees and their dependents and survivors. Any health care benefit program established by the Board of Trustees for eligible retirees and their dependents and survivors effective on or after July 1, 2009 shall not contain any plan which provides for more than 90% coverage for in-network services or 70% coverage for out-of-network services after any deductible has been paid, except that coverage through a health maintenance organization ("HMO") may be provided at 100%.

(2.5) The Board of Trustees may also establish and administer a health reimbursement arrangement for retirees and for former employees of the Authority or the Retirement Plan, and their survivors, who have contributed to the Retiree Health Care Trust but do not satisfy the years of service requirement of subdivision (b)(4) and the terms of the retiree health care plan; or for those who do satisfy the requirements of subdivision (b)(4) and the terms of the retiree health care plan but who decline coverage under the plan prior to retirement. Any such health reimbursement arrangement may provide that: the retirees or former employees of the Authority or the Retirement Plan, and their survivors, must have reached age 65 to be eligible to participate in the health reimbursement arrangement; contributions by the retirees or former employees of the Authority or the Retirement Plan to the Retiree Health Care Trust shall be considered assets of the Retiree Health Care Trust only; contributions shall not accrue interest for the benefit of the retiree or former employee of the Authority or the Retirement Plan or survivor; benefits shall be payable in accordance with the Internal Revenue Code of 1986; the amounts paid to or on account of the retiree or former employee of the Authority or the Retirement Plan or survivor shall not exceed the total amount which the retiree or former employee of the Authority or the Retirement Plan contributed to the Retiree Health Care Trust; the Retiree Health Care Trust may charge a reasonable administrative fee for processing the benefits. The Board of Trustees of the Retiree Health Care Trust may establish such rules, limitations and requirements as the Board of Trustees deems appropriate.

(3) The Retiree Health Care Trust shall be administered by the Board of Trustees according to the following requirements:

(i) The Board of Trustees may cause amounts on deposit in the Retiree Health Care Trust to be invested in those investments that are permitted investments for the investment of moneys held under any one or more of the pension or retirement systems of the State, any unit of local government or school district, or any agency or instrumentality thereof. The Board, by a vote of at least two-thirds of the trustees, may transfer investment management to the Illinois State Board of Investment, which is hereby authorized to manage these investments when so requested by the Board of Trustees.

(ii) The Board of Trustees shall establish and maintain an appropriate funding reserve level which shall not be less than the amount of incurred and unreported claims plus 12 months of expected claims and administrative expenses.

(iii) The Board of Trustees shall make an annual assessment of the funding levels of the Retiree Health Care Trust and shall submit a report to the Auditor General at least 90 days prior to the end of the fiscal year. The report shall provide the following:

(A) the actuarial present value of projected benefits expected to be paid to current and future retirees and their dependents and survivors;

(B) the actuarial present value of projected contributions and trust income plus assets;

(C) the reserve required by subsection (b)(3)(ii); and

(D) an assessment of whether the actuarial present value of projected benefits expected to be paid to current and future retirees and their dependents and survivors exceeds or is less than the actuarial present value of projected contributions and trust income plus assets in excess of the reserve required by subsection (b)(3)(ii).

If the actuarial present value of projected benefits expected to be paid to current and future retirees and their dependents and survivors exceeds the actuarial present value of projected contributions and trust income plus assets in excess of the reserve required by subsection (b)(3)(ii), then the report shall provide a plan, to be implemented over a period of not more than 10 years from each valuation date, which would make the actuarial present value of projected contributions and trust income plus assets equal to or exceed the actuarial present value of projected benefits expected to be paid to current and future retirees and their dependents and survivors. The plan may consist of increases in employee, retiree, dependent, or survivor contribution levels, decreases in benefit levels, or other plan changes or any combination thereof. If the actuarial present value of projected benefits expected to be paid to current and future retirees and their dependents and survivors is less than the actuarial present value of projected contributions and trust income plus assets in excess of the reserve required by subsection (b)(3)(ii), then the report may provide a plan of decreases in employee, retiree, dependent, or survivor contribution levels, increases in benefit levels, or other plan changes, or any combination thereof, to the extent of the surplus.

(iv) The Auditor General shall review the report and plan provided in subsection (b)(3)(iii) and issue a determination within 90 days after receiving the report and plan, with a copy of such determination provided to the General Assembly and the Metropolitan Mobility Regional Transportation Authority, as follows:

(A) In the event of a projected shortfall, if the Auditor General determines that the assumptions stated in the report are not unreasonable in the aggregate and that the plan of increases in employee, retiree, dependent, or survivor contribution levels, decreases in benefit levels, or other plan changes, or any combination thereof, to be implemented over a period of not more than 10 years from each valuation date, is reasonably projected to make the actuarial present value of projected contributions and trust income plus assets equal to or in excess of the actuarial present value of projected benefits expected to be paid to current and future retirees and their dependents and survivors, then the Board of Trustees shall implement the plan. If the Auditor General determines that the assumptions stated in the report are unreasonable in the aggregate, or that the plan of increases in employee, retiree, dependent, or survivor contribution levels, decreases in benefit levels, or other plan changes to be implemented over a period of not more than 10 years from each valuation date, is not reasonably projected to make the actuarial present value of projected contributions and trust income plus assets equal to or in excess of the actuarial present value of projected benefits expected to be paid to current and future retirees and their dependents and survivors, then the Board of Trustees shall not implement the plan, the Auditor General shall explain the basis for such determination to the Board of Trustees, and the Auditor General may make recommendations as to an alternative report and plan.

(B) In the event of a projected surplus, if the Auditor General determines that the assumptions stated in the report are not unreasonable in the aggregate and that the plan of decreases in employee, retiree, dependent, or survivor contribution levels, increases in benefit levels, or both, is not unreasonable in the aggregate, then the Board of Trustees shall implement the plan. If the Auditor General determines that the assumptions stated in the report are unreasonable in the aggregate, or that the plan of decreases in employee, retiree, dependent, or survivor contribution levels, increases in benefit levels, or both, is unreasonable in the aggregate, then the Board of Trustees shall not implement the plan, the Auditor General shall explain the basis for such determination to the Board of Trustees, and the Auditor General may make recommendations as to an alternative report and plan.

(C) The Board of Trustees shall submit an alternative report and plan within 45 days after receiving a rejection determination by the Auditor General. A determination by the Auditor General on any alternative report and plan submitted by the Board of Trustees shall be made within 90 days after receiving the alternative report and plan, and shall be accepted or rejected according to the requirements of this subsection (b)(3)(iv). The Board of Trustees shall continue to submit alternative reports and plans to the Auditor General, as necessary, until a favorable determination is made by the Auditor General.

(4) For any retiree who first retires effective on or after January 18, 2008, to be eligible for retiree health care benefits upon retirement, the retiree must be at least 55 years of age, retire with 10 or more years of continuous service and satisfy the preconditions established by Public Act 95-708 in addition to any rules or regulations promulgated by the Board of Trustees. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any retiree hired on or before September 5, 2001 who retires with 25 years or more of continuous service shall be eligible for retiree health care benefits upon retirement in accordance with any rules or regulations adopted by the Board of Trustees; provided he or she retires prior to the full execution of the successor collective bargaining agreement to the collective bargaining agreement that became effective January 1, 2007 between the Authority and the organizations representing the highest and second-highest number of former Chicago Transit Authority participants. This paragraph (4) shall not apply to a disability allowance.

(5) Effective January 1, 2009, the aggregate amount of retiree, dependent and survivor contributions to the cost of their health care benefits shall not exceed more than 45% of the total cost of such benefits. The Board of Trustees shall have the discretion to provide different contribution levels for retirees, dependents and survivors based on their years of service, level of coverage or Medicare eligibility, provided that the total contribution from all retirees, dependents, and survivors shall be not more than 45% of the total cost of such benefits. The term "total cost of such benefits" for purposes of this subsection shall be the total amount expended by the retiree health benefit program in the prior plan year, as calculated and certified in writing by the Retiree Health Care Trust's enrolled actuary to be appointed and paid for by the Board of Trustees.

(6) Effective January 1, 2022, all employees of the Authority shall contribute to the Retiree Health Care Trust in an amount not less than 1% of compensation.

(7) No earlier than January 1, 2009 and no later than July 1, 2009 as the Retiree Health Care Trust becomes solely responsible for providing health care benefits to eligible retirees and their dependents and survivors in accordance with subsection (b) of this Section 22-101B, the Authority shall not have any obligation to provide health care to current or future retirees and their dependents or survivors. Employees, retirees, dependents, and survivors who are required to make contributions to the Retiree Health Care Trust shall make contributions at the level set by the Board of Trustees pursuant to the requirements of this Section 22-101B.

(Source: P.A. 102-415, eff. 1-1-22.)

(40 ILCS 5/22-103)

Sec. 22-103. Metropolitan Mobility Regional Transportation Authority and related pension plans.

(a) As used in this Section:

"Affected pension plan" means a defined-benefit pension plan supported in whole or in part by employer contributions and maintained by the Metropolitan Mobility Authority Regional Transportation Authority, the Suburban Bus Division, or the Commuter Rail Division, or any combination thereof, under the general authority of the Metropolitan Mobility Regional Transportation Authority Act, including but not limited to any such plan that has been established under or is subject to a collective bargaining agreement or is limited to employees covered by a collective bargaining agreement. "Affected pension plan" does not include any pension fund or retirement system subject to Section 22-101 of this Section.

"Authority" means the Metropolitan Mobility Regional Transportation Authority created under the Metropolitan Mobility Regional Transportation Authority Act.

"Contributing employer" means an employer that is required to make contributions to an affected pension plan under the terms of that plan.

"Funding ratio" means the ratio of an affected pension plan's assets to the present value of its actuarial liabilities, as determined at its latest actuarial valuation in accordance with applicable actuarial assumptions and recommendations.

"Under-funded pension plan" or "under-funded" means an affected pension plan that, at the time of its last actuarial valuation, has a funding ratio of less than 90%.

(b) The contributing employers of each affected pension plan have a general duty to make the required employer contributions to the affected pension plan in a timely manner in accordance with the terms of the plan. A contributing employer must make contributions to the affected pension plan as required under this subsection and, if applicable, subsection (c); a contributing employer may make any additional contributions provided for by the board of the employer or collective bargaining agreement.

(c) In the case of an affected pension plan that is under-funded on January 1, 2009 or becomes under-funded at any time after that date, the contributing employers shall contribute to the affected pension plan, in addition to all amounts otherwise required, amounts sufficient to bring the funding ratio of the affected pension plan up to 90% in accordance with an amortization schedule adopted jointly by the contributing employers and the trustee of the affected pension plan. The amortization schedule may extend for any period up to a maximum of 50 years and shall provide for additional employer contributions in substantially equal annual amounts over the selected period. If the contributing employers and the trustee of the affected pension plan do not agree on an appropriate period for the amortization schedule within 6 months of the date of determination that the plan is under-funded, then the amortization schedule shall be based on a period of 50 years.

In the case of an affected pension plan that has more than one contributing employer, each contributing employer's share of the total additional employer contributions required under this subsection shall be determined: (i) in proportion to the amounts, if any, by which the respective contributing employers have failed to meet their contribution obligations under the terms of the affected pension plan; or (ii) if all of the contributing employers have met their contribution obligations under the terms of the affected pension plan, then in the same proportion as they are required to contribute under the terms of that plan. In the case of an affected pension plan that has only one contributing employer, that contributing employer is responsible for all of the additional employer contributions required under this subsection.

If an under-funded pension plan is determined to have achieved a funding ratio of at least 90% during the period when an amortization schedule is in force under this Section, the contributing employers and the trustee of the affected pension plan, acting jointly, may cancel the amortization schedule and the contributing employers may cease making additional contributions under this subsection for as long as the affected pension plan retains a funding ratio of at least 90%.

(d) Beginning January 1, 2009, if the Authority fails to pay to an affected pension fund within 30 days after it is due (i) any employer contribution that it is required to make as a contributing employer, (ii) any additional employer contribution that it is required to pay under subsection (c), or (iii) any payment that it is required to make under subsection (d) of Section 3.03 of the Metropolitan Mobility Authority Act as a result of Section 4.02a or 4.02b of the Regional Transportation Authority Act (repealed), the trustee of the affected pension fund shall promptly so notify the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability, the Mayor of Chicago, the Governor, and the General Assembly.

(e) For purposes of determining employer contributions, assets, and actuarial liabilities under this subsection, contributions, assets, and liabilities relating to health care benefits shall not be included.

(f) This amendatory Act of the 94th General Assembly does not affect or impair the right of any contributing employer or its employees to collectively bargain the amount or level of employee contributions to an affected pension plan, to the extent that the plan includes employees subject to collective bargaining.

(g) Any individual who, on or after August 19, 2011 (the effective date of Public Act 97-442), first becomes a participant of an affected pension plan shall not be paid any of the benefits provided under this Code if he or she is convicted of a felony relating to, arising out of, or in connection with his or her service as a participant.

This subsection shall not operate to impair any contract or vested right acquired before August 19, 2011 (the effective date of Public Act 97-442) under any law or laws continued in this Code, and it shall not preclude the right to refund.

(h) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article or any law to the contrary, a person who, on or after January 1, 2012 (the effective date of Public Act 97-609), first becomes a director on the Suburban Bus Board, the Commuter Rail Board, or the Board of Directors of the Regional Transportation Authority, or the Board of Directors of the Metropolitan Mobility Authority shall not be eligible to participate in an affected pension plan.

(Source: P.A. 97-442, eff. 8-19-11; 97-609, eff. 1-1-12; 97-813, eff. 7-13-12.)

(40 ILCS 5/22-105)

Sec. 22-105. Application to Metropolitan Mobility Regional Transportation Authority Board members. This Code does not apply to any individual who first becomes a member of the Regional Transportation Authority Board on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 98th General Assembly with respect to service on that Board or the Metropolitan Mobility Authority Board on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 103rd General Assembly with respect to service on that Board.

(Source: P.A. 98-108, eff. 7-23-13.)

Section 8.28. The Illinois Municipal Budget Law is amended by changing Section 2 as follows:

(50 ILCS 330/2) (from Ch. 85, par. 802)

Sec. 2. The following terms, unless the context otherwise indicates, have the following meaning:

(1) "Municipality" means and includes all municipal corporations and political subdivisions of this State, or any such unit or body hereafter created by authority of law, except the following: (a) The State of Illinois; (b) counties; (c) cities, villages and incorporated towns; (d) sanitary districts created under "An Act to create sanitary districts and to remove obstructions in the Des Plaines and Illinois Rivers", approved May 29, 1889, as amended; (e) forest preserve districts having a population of 500,000 or more, created under "An Act to provide for the creation and management of forest preserve districts and repealing certain Acts therein named", approved June 27, 1913, as amended; (f) school districts; (g) the Chicago Park District created under "An Act in relation to the creation, maintenance, operation and improvement of the Chicago Park District", approved, June 10, 1933, as amended; (h) park districts created under "The Park District Code", approved July 8, 1947, as amended; (i) the Metropolitan Mobility Regional Transportation Authority created under the Metropolitan Mobility "Regional Transportation Authority Act", enacted by the 78th General Assembly; and (j) the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority.

(2) "Governing body" means the corporate authorities, body, or other officer of the municipality authorized by law to raise revenue, appropriate funds, or levy taxes for the operation and maintenance thereof.

(3) "Department" means the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.

(Source: P.A. 94-793, eff. 5-19-06.)

Section 8.29. The Counties Code is amended by changing Section 6-34000 as follows:

(55 ILCS 5/6-34000)

Sec. 6-34000. Report on funds received under the Metropolitan Mobility Regional Transportation Authority Act. If the Board of the Metropolitan Mobility Regional Transportation Authority adopts an ordinance under Section 6.02 4.03 of the Metropolitan Mobility Regional Transportation Authority Act imposing a retailers' occupation tax and a service occupation tax at the rate of 0.75% in the counties of DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, and Will, then the County Boards of DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, and Will counties shall each report to the General Assembly and the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability by March 1 of the year following the adoption of the ordinance and March 1 of each year thereafter. That report shall include the total amounts received by the County under subsection (cc) of Section 6.02 (n) of Section 4.03 of the Metropolitan Mobility Regional Transportation Authority Act and the expenditures and obligations of the County using those funds during the previous calendar year.

(Source: P.A. 95-906, eff. 8-26-08.)

Section 8.30. The Illinois Municipal Code is amended by changing Sections 11-1-11, 11-74.4-3 and 11-122.2-1 and changing the heading of Division 122.2 of Article 11 as follows:

(65 ILCS 5/11-1-11) (from Ch. 24, par. 11-1-11)

Sec. 11-1-11. Agreement with another entity to enforce traffic ordinances. The corporate authorities of a municipality with a population greater than 1,000,000 may enter into an agreement with the Metropolitan Mobility Chicago Transit Authority, created under the Metropolitan Mobility Metropolitan Transit Authority Act, whereby Chicago Transit Authority supervisory employees are empowered to enforce certain traffic ordinances enacted by the municipality.

(Source: P.A. 87-597.)

(65 ILCS 5/11-74.4-3) (from Ch. 24, par. 11-74.4-3)

Sec. 11-74.4-3. Definitions. The following terms, wherever used or referred to in this Division 74.4 shall have the following respective meanings, unless in any case a different meaning clearly appears from the context.

(a) For any redevelopment project area that has been designated pursuant to this Section by an ordinance adopted prior to November 1, 1999 (the effective date of Public Act 91-478), "blighted area" shall have the meaning set forth in this Section prior to that date.

On and after November 1, 1999, "blighted area" means any improved or vacant area within the boundaries of a redevelopment project area located within the territorial limits of the municipality where:

(1) If improved, industrial, commercial, and residential buildings or improvements are detrimental to the public safety, health, or welfare because of a combination of 5 or more of the following factors, each of which is (i) present, with that presence documented, to a meaningful extent so that a municipality may reasonably find that the factor is clearly present within the intent of the Act and (ii) reasonably distributed throughout the improved part of the redevelopment project area:

(A) Dilapidation. An advanced state of disrepair or neglect of necessary repairs to the primary structural components of buildings or improvements in such a combination that a documented building condition analysis determines that major repair is required or the defects are so serious and so extensive that the buildings must be removed.

(B) Obsolescence. The condition or process of falling into disuse. Structures have become ill-suited for the original use.

(C) Deterioration. With respect to buildings, defects including, but not limited to, major defects in the secondary building components such as doors, windows, porches, gutters and downspouts, and fascia. With respect to surface improvements, that the condition of roadways, alleys, curbs, gutters, sidewalks, off-street parking, and surface storage areas evidence deterioration, including, but not limited to, surface cracking, crumbling, potholes, depressions, loose paving material, and weeds protruding through paved surfaces.

(D) Presence of structures below minimum code standards. All structures that do not meet the standards of zoning, subdivision, building, fire, and other governmental codes applicable to property, but not including housing and property maintenance codes.

(E) Illegal use of individual structures. The use of structures in violation of applicable federal, State, or local laws, exclusive of those applicable to the presence of structures below minimum code standards.

(F) Excessive vacancies. The presence of buildings that are unoccupied or under-utilized and that represent an adverse influence on the area because of the frequency, extent, or duration of the vacancies.

(G) Lack of ventilation, light, or sanitary facilities. The absence of adequate ventilation for light or air circulation in spaces or rooms without windows, or that require the removal of dust, odor, gas, smoke, or other noxious airborne materials. Inadequate natural light and ventilation means the absence of skylights or windows for interior spaces or rooms and improper window sizes and amounts by room area to window area ratios. Inadequate sanitary facilities refers to the absence or inadequacy of garbage storage and enclosure, bathroom facilities, hot water and kitchens, and structural inadequacies preventing ingress and egress to and from all rooms and units within a building.

(H) Inadequate utilities. Underground and overhead utilities such as storm sewers and storm drainage, sanitary sewers, water lines, and gas, telephone, and electrical services that are shown to be inadequate. Inadequate utilities are those that are: (i) of insufficient capacity to serve the uses in the redevelopment project area, (ii) deteriorated, antiquated, obsolete, or in disrepair, or (iii) lacking within the redevelopment project area.

(I) Excessive land coverage and overcrowding of structures and community facilities. The over-intensive use of property and the crowding of buildings and accessory facilities onto a site. Examples of problem conditions warranting the designation of an area as one exhibiting excessive land coverage are: (i) the presence of buildings either improperly situated on parcels or located on parcels of inadequate size and shape in relation to present-day standards of development for health and safety and (ii) the presence of multiple buildings on a single parcel. For there to be a finding of excessive land coverage, these parcels must exhibit one or more of the following conditions: insufficient provision for light and air within or around buildings, increased threat of spread of fire due to the close proximity of buildings, lack of adequate or proper access to a public right-of-way, lack of reasonably required off-street parking, or inadequate provision for loading and service.

(J) Deleterious land use or layout. The existence of incompatible land-use relationships, buildings occupied by inappropriate mixed-uses, or uses considered to be noxious, offensive, or unsuitable for the surrounding area.

(K) Environmental clean-up. The proposed redevelopment project area has incurred Illinois Environmental Protection Agency or United States Environmental Protection Agency remediation costs for, or a study conducted by an independent consultant recognized as having expertise in environmental remediation has determined a need for, the clean-up of hazardous waste, hazardous substances, or underground storage tanks required by State or federal law, provided that the remediation costs constitute a material impediment to the development or redevelopment of the redevelopment project area.

(L) Lack of community planning. The proposed redevelopment project area was developed prior to or without the benefit or guidance of a community plan. This means that the development occurred prior to the adoption by the municipality of a comprehensive or other community plan or that the plan was not followed at the time of the area's development. This factor must be documented by evidence of adverse or incompatible land-use relationships, inadequate street layout, improper subdivision, parcels of inadequate shape and size to meet contemporary development standards, or other evidence demonstrating an absence of effective community planning.

(M) The total equalized assessed value of the proposed redevelopment project area has declined for 3 of the last 5 calendar years prior to the year in which the redevelopment project area is designated or is increasing at an annual rate that is less than the balance of the municipality for 3 of the last 5 calendar years for which information is available or is increasing at an annual rate that is less than the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers published by the United States Department of Labor or successor agency for 3 of the last 5 calendar years prior to the year in which the redevelopment project area is designated.

(2) If vacant, the sound growth of the redevelopment project area is impaired by a combination of 2 or more of the following factors, each of which is (i) present, with that presence documented, to a meaningful extent so that a municipality may reasonably find that the factor is clearly present within the intent of the Act and (ii) reasonably distributed throughout the vacant part of the redevelopment project area to which it pertains:

(A) Obsolete platting of vacant land that results in parcels of limited or narrow size or configurations of parcels of irregular size or shape that would be difficult to develop on a planned basis and in a manner compatible with contemporary standards and requirements, or platting that failed to create rights-of-ways for streets or alleys or that created inadequate right-of-way widths for streets, alleys, or other public rights-of-way or that omitted easements for public utilities.

(B) Diversity of ownership of parcels of vacant land sufficient in number to retard or impede the ability to assemble the land for development.

(C) Tax and special assessment delinquencies exist or the property has been the subject of tax sales under the Property Tax Code within the last 5 years.

(D) Deterioration of structures or site improvements in neighboring areas adjacent to the vacant land.

(E) The area has incurred Illinois Environmental Protection Agency or United States Environmental Protection Agency remediation costs for, or a study conducted by an independent consultant recognized as having expertise in environmental remediation has determined a need for, the clean-up of hazardous waste, hazardous substances, or underground storage tanks required by State or federal law, provided that the remediation costs constitute a material impediment to the development or redevelopment of the redevelopment project area.

(F) The total equalized assessed value of the proposed redevelopment project area has declined for 3 of the last 5 calendar years prior to the year in which the redevelopment project area is designated or is increasing at an annual rate that is less than the balance of the municipality for 3 of the last 5 calendar years for which information is available or is increasing at an annual rate that is less than the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers published by the United States Department of Labor or successor agency for 3 of the last 5 calendar years prior to the year in which the redevelopment project area is designated.

(3) If vacant, the sound growth of the redevelopment project area is impaired by one of the following factors that (i) is present, with that presence documented, to a meaningful extent so that a municipality may reasonably find that the factor is clearly present within the intent of the Act and (ii) is reasonably distributed throughout the vacant part of the redevelopment project area to which it pertains:

(A) The area consists of one or more unused quarries, mines, or strip mine ponds.

(B) The area consists of unused rail yards, rail tracks, or railroad rights-of-way.

(C) The area, prior to its designation, is subject to (i) chronic flooding that adversely impacts on real property in the area as certified by a registered professional engineer or appropriate regulatory agency or (ii) surface water that discharges from all or a part of the area and contributes to flooding within the same watershed, but only if the redevelopment project provides for facilities or improvements to contribute to the alleviation of all or part of the flooding.

(D) The area consists of an unused or illegal disposal site containing earth, stone, building debris, or similar materials that were removed from construction, demolition, excavation, or dredge sites.

(E) Prior to November 1, 1999, the area is not less than 50 nor more than 100 acres and 75% of which is vacant (notwithstanding that the area has been used for commercial agricultural purposes within 5 years prior to the designation of the redevelopment project area), and the area meets at least one of the factors itemized in paragraph (1) of this subsection, the area has been designated as a town or village center by ordinance or comprehensive plan adopted prior to January 1, 1982, and the area has not been developed for that designated purpose.

(F) The area qualified as a blighted improved area immediately prior to becoming vacant, unless there has been substantial private investment in the immediately surrounding area.

(b) For any redevelopment project area that has been designated pursuant to this Section by an ordinance adopted prior to November 1, 1999 (the effective date of Public Act 91-478), "conservation area" shall have the meaning set forth in this Section prior to that date.

On and after November 1, 1999, "conservation area" means any improved area within the boundaries of a redevelopment project area located within the territorial limits of the municipality in which 50% or more of the structures in the area have an age of 35 years or more. Such an area is not yet a blighted area but because of a combination of 3 or more of the following factors is detrimental to the public safety, health, morals or welfare and such an area may become a blighted area:

(1) Dilapidation. An advanced state of disrepair or neglect of necessary repairs to the primary structural components of buildings or improvements in such a combination that a documented building condition analysis determines that major repair is required or the defects are so serious and so extensive that the buildings must be removed.

(2) Obsolescence. The condition or process of falling into disuse. Structures have become ill-suited for the original use.

(3) Deterioration. With respect to buildings, defects including, but not limited to, major defects in the secondary building components such as doors, windows, porches, gutters and downspouts, and fascia. With respect to surface improvements, that the condition of roadways, alleys, curbs, gutters, sidewalks, off-street parking, and surface storage areas evidence deterioration, including, but not limited to, surface cracking, crumbling, potholes, depressions, loose paving material, and weeds protruding through paved surfaces.

(4) Presence of structures below minimum code standards. All structures that do not meet the standards of zoning, subdivision, building, fire, and other governmental codes applicable to property, but not including housing and property maintenance codes.

(5) Illegal use of individual structures. The use of structures in violation of applicable federal, State, or local laws, exclusive of those applicable to the presence of structures below minimum code standards.

(6) Excessive vacancies. The presence of buildings that are unoccupied or under-utilized and that represent an adverse influence on the area because of the frequency, extent, or duration of the vacancies.

(7) Lack of ventilation, light, or sanitary facilities. The absence of adequate ventilation for light or air circulation in spaces or rooms without windows, or that require the removal of dust, odor, gas, smoke, or other noxious airborne materials. Inadequate natural light and ventilation means the absence or inadequacy of skylights or windows for interior spaces or rooms and improper window sizes and amounts by room area to window area ratios. Inadequate sanitary facilities refers to the absence or inadequacy of garbage storage and enclosure, bathroom facilities, hot water and kitchens, and structural inadequacies preventing ingress and egress to and from all rooms and units within a building.

(8) Inadequate utilities. Underground and overhead utilities such as storm sewers and storm drainage, sanitary sewers, water lines, and gas, telephone, and electrical services that are shown to be inadequate. Inadequate utilities are those that are: (i) of insufficient capacity to serve the uses in the redevelopment project area, (ii) deteriorated, antiquated, obsolete, or in disrepair, or (iii) lacking within the redevelopment project area.

(9) Excessive land coverage and overcrowding of structures and community facilities. The over-intensive use of property and the crowding of buildings and accessory facilities onto a site. Examples of problem conditions warranting the designation of an area as one exhibiting excessive land coverage are: the presence of buildings either improperly situated on parcels or located on parcels of inadequate size and shape in relation to present-day standards of development for health and safety and the presence of multiple buildings on a single parcel. For there to be a finding of excessive land coverage, these parcels must exhibit one or more of the following conditions: insufficient provision for light and air within or around buildings, increased threat of spread of fire due to the close proximity of buildings, lack of adequate or proper access to a public right-of-way, lack of reasonably required off-street parking, or inadequate provision for loading and service.

(10) Deleterious land use or layout. The existence of incompatible land-use relationships, buildings occupied by inappropriate mixed-uses, or uses considered to be noxious, offensive, or unsuitable for the surrounding area.

(11) Lack of community planning. The proposed redevelopment project area was developed prior to or without the benefit or guidance of a community plan. This means that the development occurred prior to the adoption by the municipality of a comprehensive or other community plan or that the plan was not followed at the time of the area's development. This factor must be documented by evidence of adverse or incompatible land-use relationships, inadequate street layout, improper subdivision, parcels of inadequate shape and size to meet contemporary development standards, or other evidence demonstrating an absence of effective community planning.

(12) The area has incurred Illinois Environmental Protection Agency or United States Environmental Protection Agency remediation costs for, or a study conducted by an independent consultant recognized as having expertise in environmental remediation has determined a need for, the clean-up of hazardous waste, hazardous substances, or underground storage tanks required by State or federal law, provided that the remediation costs constitute a material impediment to the development or redevelopment of the redevelopment project area.

(13) The total equalized assessed value of the proposed redevelopment project area has declined for 3 of the last 5 calendar years for which information is available or is increasing at an annual rate that is less than the balance of the municipality for 3 of the last 5 calendar years for which information is available or is increasing at an annual rate that is less than the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers published by the United States Department of Labor or successor agency for 3 of the last 5 calendar years for which information is available.

(c) "Industrial park" means an area in a blighted or conservation area suitable for use by any manufacturing, industrial, research or transportation enterprise, of facilities to include but not be limited to factories, mills, processing plants, assembly plants, packing plants, fabricating plants, industrial distribution centers, warehouses, repair overhaul or service facilities, freight terminals, research facilities, test facilities or railroad facilities.

(d) "Industrial park conservation area" means an area within the boundaries of a redevelopment project area located within the territorial limits of a municipality that is a labor surplus municipality or within 1 1/2 miles of the territorial limits of a municipality that is a labor surplus municipality if the area is annexed to the municipality; which area is zoned as industrial no later than at the time the municipality by ordinance designates the redevelopment project area, and which area includes both vacant land suitable for use as an industrial park and a blighted area or conservation area contiguous to such vacant land.

(e) "Labor surplus municipality" means a municipality in which, at any time during the 6 months before the municipality by ordinance designates an industrial park conservation area, the unemployment rate was over 6% and was also 100% or more of the national average unemployment rate for that same time as published in the United States Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics publication entitled "The Employment Situation" or its successor publication. For the purpose of this subsection, if unemployment rate statistics for the municipality are not available, the unemployment rate in the municipality shall be deemed to be the same as the unemployment rate in the principal county in which the municipality is located.

(f) "Municipality" shall mean a city, village, incorporated town, or a township that is located in the unincorporated portion of a county with 3 million or more inhabitants, if the county adopted an ordinance that approved the township's redevelopment plan.

(g) "Initial Sales Tax Amounts" means the amount of taxes paid under the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act, Use Tax Act, Service Use Tax Act, the Service Occupation Tax Act, the Municipal Retailers' Occupation Tax Act, and the Municipal Service Occupation Tax Act by retailers and servicemen on transactions at places located in a State Sales Tax Boundary during the calendar year 1985.

(g-1) "Revised Initial Sales Tax Amounts" means the amount of taxes paid under the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act, Use Tax Act, Service Use Tax Act, the Service Occupation Tax Act, the Municipal Retailers' Occupation Tax Act, and the Municipal Service Occupation Tax Act by retailers and servicemen on transactions at places located within the State Sales Tax Boundary revised pursuant to Section 11-74.4-8a(9) of this Act.

(h) "Municipal Sales Tax Increment" means an amount equal to the increase in the aggregate amount of taxes paid to a municipality from the Local Government Tax Fund arising from sales by retailers and servicemen within the redevelopment project area or State Sales Tax Boundary, as the case may be, for as long as the redevelopment project area or State Sales Tax Boundary, as the case may be, exist over and above the aggregate amount of taxes as certified by the Illinois Department of Revenue and paid under the Municipal Retailers' Occupation Tax Act and the Municipal Service Occupation Tax Act by retailers and servicemen, on transactions at places of business located in the redevelopment project area or State Sales Tax Boundary, as the case may be, during the base year which shall be the calendar year immediately prior to the year in which the municipality adopted tax increment allocation financing. For purposes of computing the aggregate amount of such taxes for base years occurring prior to 1985, the Department of Revenue shall determine the Initial Sales Tax Amounts for such taxes and deduct therefrom an amount equal to 4% of the aggregate amount of taxes per year for each year the base year is prior to 1985, but not to exceed a total deduction of 12%. The amount so determined shall be known as the "Adjusted Initial Sales Tax Amounts". For purposes of determining the Municipal Sales Tax Increment, the Department of Revenue shall for each period subtract from the amount paid to the municipality from the Local Government Tax Fund arising from sales by retailers and servicemen on transactions located in the redevelopment project area or the State Sales Tax Boundary, as the case may be, the certified Initial Sales Tax Amounts, the Adjusted Initial Sales Tax Amounts or the Revised Initial Sales Tax Amounts for the Municipal Retailers' Occupation Tax Act and the Municipal Service Occupation Tax Act. For the State Fiscal Year 1989, this calculation shall be made by utilizing the calendar year 1987 to determine the tax amounts received. For the State Fiscal Year 1990, this calculation shall be made by utilizing the period from January 1, 1988, until September 30, 1988, to determine the tax amounts received from retailers and servicemen pursuant to the Municipal Retailers' Occupation Tax and the Municipal Service Occupation Tax Act, which shall have deducted therefrom nine-twelfths of the certified Initial Sales Tax Amounts, the Adjusted Initial Sales Tax Amounts or the Revised Initial Sales Tax Amounts as appropriate. For the State Fiscal Year 1991, this calculation shall be made by utilizing the period from October 1, 1988, to June 30, 1989, to determine the tax amounts received from retailers and servicemen pursuant to the Municipal Retailers' Occupation Tax and the Municipal Service Occupation Tax Act which shall have deducted therefrom nine-twelfths of the certified Initial Sales Tax Amounts, Adjusted Initial Sales Tax Amounts or the Revised Initial Sales Tax Amounts as appropriate. For every State Fiscal Year thereafter, the applicable period shall be the 12 months beginning July 1 and ending June 30 to determine the tax amounts received which shall have deducted therefrom the certified Initial Sales Tax Amounts, the Adjusted Initial Sales Tax Amounts or the Revised Initial Sales Tax Amounts, as the case may be.

(i) "Net State Sales Tax Increment" means the sum of the following: (a) 80% of the first $100,000 of State Sales Tax Increment annually generated within a State Sales Tax Boundary; (b) 60% of the amount in excess of $100,000 but not exceeding $500,000 of State Sales Tax Increment annually generated within a State Sales Tax Boundary; and (c) 40% of all amounts in excess of $500,000 of State Sales Tax Increment annually generated within a State Sales Tax Boundary. If, however, a municipality established a tax increment financing district in a county with a population in excess of 3,000,000 before January 1, 1986, and the municipality entered into a contract or issued bonds after January 1, 1986, but before December 31, 1986, to finance redevelopment project costs within a State Sales Tax Boundary, then the Net State Sales Tax Increment means, for the fiscal years beginning July 1, 1990, and July 1, 1991, 100% of the State Sales Tax Increment annually generated within a State Sales Tax Boundary; and notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, for those fiscal years the Department of Revenue shall distribute to those municipalities 100% of their Net State Sales Tax Increment before any distribution to any other municipality and regardless of whether or not those other municipalities will receive 100% of their Net State Sales Tax Increment. For Fiscal Year 1999, and every year thereafter until the year 2007, for any municipality that has not entered into a contract or has not issued bonds prior to June 1, 1988 to finance redevelopment project costs within a State Sales Tax Boundary, the Net State Sales Tax Increment shall be calculated as follows: By multiplying the Net State Sales Tax Increment by 90% in the State Fiscal Year 1999; 80% in the State Fiscal Year 2000; 70% in the State Fiscal Year 2001; 60% in the State Fiscal Year 2002; 50% in the State Fiscal Year 2003; 40% in the State Fiscal Year 2004; 30% in the State Fiscal Year 2005; 20% in the State Fiscal Year 2006; and 10% in the State Fiscal Year 2007. No payment shall be made for State Fiscal Year 2008 and thereafter.

Municipalities that issued bonds in connection with a redevelopment project in a redevelopment project area within the State Sales Tax Boundary prior to July 29, 1991, or that entered into contracts in connection with a redevelopment project in a redevelopment project area before June 1, 1988, shall continue to receive their proportional share of the Illinois Tax Increment Fund distribution until the date on which the redevelopment project is completed or terminated. If, however, a municipality that issued bonds in connection with a redevelopment project in a redevelopment project area within the State Sales Tax Boundary prior to July 29, 1991 retires the bonds prior to June 30, 2007 or a municipality that entered into contracts in connection with a redevelopment project in a redevelopment project area before June 1, 1988 completes the contracts prior to June 30, 2007, then so long as the redevelopment project is not completed or is not terminated, the Net State Sales Tax Increment shall be calculated, beginning on the date on which the bonds are retired or the contracts are completed, as follows: By multiplying the Net State Sales Tax Increment by 60% in the State Fiscal Year 2002; 50% in the State Fiscal Year 2003; 40% in the State Fiscal Year 2004; 30% in the State Fiscal Year 2005; 20% in the State Fiscal Year 2006; and 10% in the State Fiscal Year 2007. No payment shall be made for State Fiscal Year 2008 and thereafter. Refunding of any bonds issued prior to July 29, 1991, shall not alter the Net State Sales Tax Increment.

(j) "State Utility Tax Increment Amount" means an amount equal to the aggregate increase in State electric and gas tax charges imposed on owners and tenants, other than residential customers, of properties located within the redevelopment project area under Section 9-222 of the Public Utilities Act, over and above the aggregate of such charges as certified by the Department of Revenue and paid by owners and tenants, other than residential customers, of properties within the redevelopment project area during the base year, which shall be the calendar year immediately prior to the year of the adoption of the ordinance authorizing tax increment allocation financing.

(k) "Net State Utility Tax Increment" means the sum of the following: (a) 80% of the first $100,000 of State Utility Tax Increment annually generated by a redevelopment project area; (b) 60% of the amount in excess of $100,000 but not exceeding $500,000 of the State Utility Tax Increment annually generated by a redevelopment project area; and (c) 40% of all amounts in excess of $500,000 of State Utility Tax Increment annually generated by a redevelopment project area. For the State Fiscal Year 1999, and every year thereafter until the year 2007, for any municipality that has not entered into a contract or has not issued bonds prior to June 1, 1988 to finance redevelopment project costs within a redevelopment project area, the Net State Utility Tax Increment shall be calculated as follows: By multiplying the Net State Utility Tax Increment by 90% in the State Fiscal Year 1999; 80% in the State Fiscal Year 2000; 70% in the State Fiscal Year 2001; 60% in the State Fiscal Year 2002; 50% in the State Fiscal Year 2003; 40% in the State Fiscal Year 2004; 30% in the State Fiscal Year 2005; 20% in the State Fiscal Year 2006; and 10% in the State Fiscal Year 2007. No payment shall be made for the State Fiscal Year 2008 and thereafter.

Municipalities that issue bonds in connection with the redevelopment project during the period from June 1, 1988 until 3 years after the effective date of this Amendatory Act of 1988 shall receive the Net State Utility Tax Increment, subject to appropriation, for 15 State Fiscal Years after the issuance of such bonds. For the 16th through the 20th State Fiscal Years after issuance of the bonds, the Net State Utility Tax Increment shall be calculated as follows: By multiplying the Net State Utility Tax Increment by 90% in year 16; 80% in year 17; 70% in year 18; 60% in year 19; and 50% in year 20. Refunding of any bonds issued prior to June 1, 1988, shall not alter the revised Net State Utility Tax Increment payments set forth above.

(l) "Obligations" mean bonds, loans, debentures, notes, special certificates or other evidence of indebtedness issued by the municipality to carry out a redevelopment project or to refund outstanding obligations.

(m) "Payment in lieu of taxes" means those estimated tax revenues from real property in a redevelopment project area derived from real property that has been acquired by a municipality which according to the redevelopment project or plan is to be used for a private use which taxing districts would have received had a municipality not acquired the real property and adopted tax increment allocation financing and which would result from levies made after the time of the adoption of tax increment allocation financing to the time the current equalized value of real property in the redevelopment project area exceeds the total initial equalized value of real property in said area.

(n) "Redevelopment plan" means the comprehensive program of the municipality for development or redevelopment intended by the payment of redevelopment project costs to reduce or eliminate those conditions the existence of which qualified the redevelopment project area as a "blighted area" or "conservation area" or combination thereof or "industrial park conservation area," and thereby to enhance the tax bases of the taxing districts which extend into the redevelopment project area, provided that, with respect to redevelopment project areas described in subsections (p-1) and (p-2), "redevelopment plan" means the comprehensive program of the affected municipality for the development of qualifying transit facilities. On and after November 1, 1999 (the effective date of Public Act 91-478), no redevelopment plan may be approved or amended that includes the development of vacant land (i) with a golf course and related clubhouse and other facilities or (ii) designated by federal, State, county, or municipal government as public land for outdoor recreational activities or for nature preserves and used for that purpose within 5 years prior to the adoption of the redevelopment plan. For the purpose of this subsection, "recreational activities" is limited to mean camping and hunting. Each redevelopment plan shall set forth in writing the program to be undertaken to accomplish the objectives and shall include but not be limited to:

(A) an itemized list of estimated redevelopment project costs;

(B) evidence indicating that the redevelopment project area on the whole has not been subject to growth and development through investment by private enterprise, provided that such evidence shall not be required for any redevelopment project area located within a transit facility improvement area established pursuant to Section 11-74.4-3.3;

(C) an assessment of any financial impact of the redevelopment project area on or any increased demand for services from any taxing district affected by the plan and any program to address such financial impact or increased demand;

(D) the sources of funds to pay costs;

(E) the nature and term of the obligations to be issued;

(F) the most recent equalized assessed valuation of the redevelopment project area;

(G) an estimate as to the equalized assessed valuation after redevelopment and the general land uses to apply in the redevelopment project area;

(H) a commitment to fair employment practices and an affirmative action plan;

(I) if it concerns an industrial park conservation area, the plan shall also include a general description of any proposed developer, user and tenant of any property, a description of the type, structure and general character of the facilities to be developed, a description of the type, class and number of new employees to be employed in the operation of the facilities to be developed; and

(J) if property is to be annexed to the municipality, the plan shall include the terms of the annexation agreement.

The provisions of items (B) and (C) of this subsection (n) shall not apply to a municipality that before March 14, 1994 (the effective date of Public Act 88-537) had fixed, either by its corporate authorities or by a commission designated under subsection (k) of Section 11-74.4-4, a time and place for a public hearing as required by subsection (a) of Section 11-74.4-5. No redevelopment plan shall be adopted unless a municipality complies with all of the following requirements:

(1) The municipality finds that the redevelopment project area on the whole has not been subject to growth and development through investment by private enterprise and would not reasonably be anticipated to be developed without the adoption of the redevelopment plan, provided, however, that such a finding shall not be required with respect to any redevelopment project area located within a transit facility improvement area established pursuant to Section 11-74.4-3.3.

(2) The municipality finds that the redevelopment plan and project conform to the comprehensive plan for the development of the municipality as a whole, or, for municipalities with a population of 100,000 or more, regardless of when the redevelopment plan and project was adopted, the redevelopment plan and project either: (i) conforms to the strategic economic development or redevelopment plan issued by the designated planning authority of the municipality, or (ii) includes land uses that have been approved by the planning commission of the municipality.

(3) The redevelopment plan establishes the estimated dates of completion of the redevelopment project and retirement of obligations issued to finance redevelopment project costs. Those dates may not be later than the dates set forth under Section 11-74.4-3.5.

A municipality may by municipal ordinance amend an existing redevelopment plan to conform to this paragraph (3) as amended by Public Act 91-478, which municipal ordinance may be adopted without further hearing or notice and without complying with the procedures provided in this Act pertaining to an amendment to or the initial approval of a redevelopment plan and project and designation of a redevelopment project area.

(3.5) The municipality finds, in the case of an industrial park conservation area, also that the municipality is a labor surplus municipality and that the implementation of the redevelopment plan will reduce unemployment, create new jobs and by the provision of new facilities enhance the tax base of the taxing districts that extend into the redevelopment project area.

(4) If any incremental revenues are being utilized under Section 8(a)(1) or 8(a)(2) of this Act in redevelopment project areas approved by ordinance after January 1, 1986, the municipality finds: (a) that the redevelopment project area would not reasonably be developed without the use of such incremental revenues, and (b) that such incremental revenues will be exclusively utilized for the development of the redevelopment project area.

(5) If: (a) the redevelopment plan will not result in displacement of residents from 10 or more inhabited residential units, and the municipality certifies in the plan that such displacement will not result from the plan; or (b) the redevelopment plan is for a redevelopment project area or a qualifying transit facility located within a transit facility improvement area established pursuant to Section 11-74.4-3.3, and the applicable project is subject to the process for evaluation of environmental effects under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq., then a housing impact study need not be performed. If, however, the redevelopment plan would result in the displacement of residents from 10 or more inhabited residential units, or if the redevelopment project area contains 75 or more inhabited residential units and no certification is made, then the municipality shall prepare, as part of the separate feasibility report required by subsection (a) of Section 11-74.4-5, a housing impact study.

Part I of the housing impact study shall include (i) data as to whether the residential units are single family or multi-family units, (ii) the number and type of rooms within the units, if that information is available, (iii) whether the units are inhabited or uninhabited, as determined not less than 45 days before the date that the ordinance or resolution required by subsection (a) of Section 11-74.4-5 is passed, and (iv) data as to the racial and ethnic composition of the residents in the inhabited residential units. The data requirement as to the racial and ethnic composition of the residents in the inhabited residential units shall be deemed to be fully satisfied by data from the most recent federal census.

Part II of the housing impact study shall identify the inhabited residential units in the proposed redevelopment project area that are to be or may be removed. If inhabited residential units are to be removed, then the housing impact study shall identify (i) the number and location of those units that will or may be removed, (ii) the municipality's plans for relocation assistance for those residents in the proposed redevelopment project area whose residences are to be removed, (iii) the availability of replacement housing for those residents whose residences are to be removed, and shall identify the type, location, and cost of the housing, and (iv) the type and extent of relocation assistance to be provided.

(6) On and after November 1, 1999, the housing impact study required by paragraph (5) shall be incorporated in the redevelopment plan for the redevelopment project area.

(7) On and after November 1, 1999, no redevelopment plan shall be adopted, nor an existing plan amended, nor shall residential housing that is occupied by households of low-income and very low-income persons in currently existing redevelopment project areas be removed after November 1, 1999 unless the redevelopment plan provides, with respect to inhabited housing units that are to be removed for households of low-income and very low-income persons, affordable housing and relocation assistance not less than that which would be provided under the federal Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970 and the regulations under that Act, including the eligibility criteria. Affordable housing may be either existing or newly constructed housing. For purposes of this paragraph (7), "low-income households", "very low-income households", and "affordable housing" have the meanings set forth in the Illinois Affordable Housing Act. The municipality shall make a good faith effort to ensure that this affordable housing is located in or near the redevelopment project area within the municipality.

(8) On and after November 1, 1999, if, after the adoption of the redevelopment plan for the redevelopment project area, any municipality desires to amend its redevelopment plan to remove more inhabited residential units than specified in its original redevelopment plan, that change shall be made in accordance with the procedures in subsection (c) of Section 11-74.4-5.

(9) For redevelopment project areas designated prior to November 1, 1999, the redevelopment plan may be amended without further joint review board meeting or hearing, provided that the municipality shall give notice of any such changes by mail to each affected taxing district and registrant on the interested party registry, to authorize the municipality to expend tax increment revenues for redevelopment project costs defined by paragraphs (5) and (7.5), subparagraphs (E) and (F) of paragraph (11), and paragraph (11.5) of subsection (q) of Section 11-74.4-3, so long as the changes do not increase the total estimated redevelopment project costs set out in the redevelopment plan by more than 5% after adjustment for inflation from the date the plan was adopted.

(o) "Redevelopment project" means any public and private development project in furtherance of the objectives of a redevelopment plan. On and after November 1, 1999 (the effective date of Public Act 91-478), no redevelopment plan may be approved or amended that includes the development of vacant land (i) with a golf course and related clubhouse and other facilities or (ii) designated by federal, State, county, or municipal government as public land for outdoor recreational activities or for nature preserves and used for that purpose within 5 years prior to the adoption of the redevelopment plan. For the purpose of this subsection, "recreational activities" is limited to mean camping and hunting.

(p) "Redevelopment project area" means an area designated by the municipality, which is not less in the aggregate than 1 1/2 acres and in respect to which the municipality has made a finding that there exist conditions which cause the area to be classified as an industrial park conservation area or a blighted area or a conservation area, or a combination of both blighted areas and conservation areas.

(p-1) Notwithstanding any provision of this Act to the contrary, on and after August 25, 2009 (the effective date of Public Act 96-680), a redevelopment project area may include areas within a one-half mile radius of an existing or proposed Metropolitan Mobility Regional Transportation Authority Suburban Transit Access Route (STAR Line) station without a finding that the area is classified as an industrial park conservation area, a blighted area, a conservation area, or a combination thereof, but only if the municipality receives unanimous consent from the joint review board created to review the proposed redevelopment project area.

(p-2) Notwithstanding any provision of this Act to the contrary, on and after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 99th General Assembly, a redevelopment project area may include areas within a transit facility improvement area that has been established pursuant to Section 11-74.4-3.3 without a finding that the area is classified as an industrial park conservation area, a blighted area, a conservation area, or any combination thereof.

(q) "Redevelopment project costs", except for redevelopment project areas created pursuant to subsection (p-1) or (p-2), means and includes the sum total of all reasonable or necessary costs incurred or estimated to be incurred, and any such costs incidental to a redevelopment plan and a redevelopment project. Such costs include, without limitation, the following:

(1) Costs of studies, surveys, development of plans, and specifications, implementation and administration of the redevelopment plan including but not limited to staff and professional service costs for architectural, engineering, legal, financial, planning or other services, provided however that no charges for professional services may be based on a percentage of the tax increment collected; except that on and after November 1, 1999 (the effective date of Public Act 91-478), no contracts for professional services, excluding architectural and engineering services, may be entered into if the terms of the contract extend beyond a period of 3 years. In addition, "redevelopment project costs" shall not include lobbying expenses. After consultation with the municipality, each tax increment consultant or advisor to a municipality that plans to designate or has designated a redevelopment project area shall inform the municipality in writing of any contracts that the consultant or advisor has entered into with entities or individuals that have received, or are receiving, payments financed by tax increment revenues produced by the redevelopment project area with respect to which the consultant or advisor has performed, or will be performing, service for the municipality. This requirement shall be satisfied by the consultant or advisor before the commencement of services for the municipality and thereafter whenever any other contracts with those individuals or entities are executed by the consultant or advisor;

(1.5) After July 1, 1999, annual administrative costs shall not include general overhead or administrative costs of the municipality that would still have been incurred by the municipality if the municipality had not designated a redevelopment project area or approved a redevelopment plan;

(1.6) The cost of marketing sites within the redevelopment project area to prospective businesses, developers, and investors;

(2) Property assembly costs, including but not limited to acquisition of land and other property, real or personal, or rights or interests therein, demolition of buildings, site preparation, site improvements that serve as an engineered barrier addressing ground level or below ground environmental contamination, including, but not limited to parking lots and other concrete or asphalt barriers, and the clearing and grading of land;

(3) Costs of rehabilitation, reconstruction or repair or remodeling of existing public or private buildings, fixtures, and leasehold improvements; and the cost of replacing an existing public building if pursuant to the implementation of a redevelopment project the existing public building is to be demolished to use the site for private investment or devoted to a different use requiring private investment; including any direct or indirect costs relating to Green Globes or LEED certified construction elements or construction elements with an equivalent certification;

(4) Costs of the construction of public works or improvements, including any direct or indirect costs relating to Green Globes or LEED certified construction elements or construction elements with an equivalent certification, except that on and after November 1, 1999, redevelopment project costs shall not include the cost of constructing a new municipal public building principally used to provide offices, storage space, or conference facilities or vehicle storage, maintenance, or repair for administrative, public safety, or public works personnel and that is not intended to replace an existing public building as provided under paragraph (3) of subsection (q) of Section 11-74.4-3 unless either (i) the construction of the new municipal building implements a redevelopment project that was included in a redevelopment plan that was adopted by the municipality prior to November 1, 1999, (ii) the municipality makes a reasonable determination in the redevelopment plan, supported by information that provides the basis for that determination, that the new municipal building is required to meet an increase in the need for public safety purposes anticipated to result from the implementation of the redevelopment plan, or (iii) the new municipal public building is for the storage, maintenance, or repair of transit vehicles and is located in a transit facility improvement area that has been established pursuant to Section 11-74.4-3.3;

(5) Costs of job training and retraining projects, including the cost of "welfare to work" programs implemented by businesses located within the redevelopment project area;

(6) Financing costs, including but not limited to all necessary and incidental expenses related to the issuance of obligations and which may include payment of interest on any obligations issued hereunder including interest accruing during the estimated period of construction of any redevelopment project for which such obligations are issued and for not exceeding 36 months thereafter and including reasonable reserves related thereto;

(7) To the extent the municipality by written agreement accepts and approves the same, all or a portion of a taxing district's capital costs resulting from the redevelopment project necessarily incurred or to be incurred within a taxing district in furtherance of the objectives of the redevelopment plan and project;

(7.5) For redevelopment project areas designated (or redevelopment project areas amended to add or increase the number of tax-increment-financing assisted housing units) on or after November 1, 1999, an elementary, secondary, or unit school district's increased costs attributable to assisted housing units located within the redevelopment project area for which the developer or redeveloper receives financial assistance through an agreement with the municipality or because the municipality incurs the cost of necessary infrastructure improvements within the boundaries of the assisted housing sites necessary for the completion of that housing as authorized by this Act, and which costs shall be paid by the municipality from the Special Tax Allocation Fund when the tax increment revenue is received as a result of the assisted housing units and shall be calculated annually as follows:

(A) for foundation districts, excluding any school district in a municipality with a population in excess of 1,000,000, by multiplying the district's increase in attendance resulting from the net increase in new students enrolled in that school district who reside in housing units within the redevelopment project area that have received financial assistance through an agreement with the municipality or because the municipality incurs the cost of necessary infrastructure improvements within the boundaries of the housing sites necessary for the completion of that housing as authorized by this Act since the designation of the redevelopment project area by the most recently available per capita tuition cost as defined in Section 10-20.12a of the School Code less any increase in general State aid as defined in Section 18-8.05 of the School Code or evidence-based funding as defined in Section 18-8.15 of the School Code attributable to these added new students subject to the following annual limitations:

(i) for unit school districts with a district average 1995-96 Per Capita Tuition Charge of less than $5,900, no more than 25% of the total amount of property tax increment revenue produced by those housing units that have received tax increment finance assistance under this Act;

(ii) for elementary school districts with a district average 1995-96 Per Capita Tuition Charge of less than $5,900, no more than 17% of the total amount of property tax increment revenue produced by those housing units that have received tax increment finance assistance under this Act; and

(iii) for secondary school districts with a district average 1995-96 Per Capita Tuition Charge of less than $5,900, no more than 8% of the total amount of property tax increment revenue produced by those housing units that have received tax increment finance assistance under this Act.

(B) For alternate method districts, flat grant districts, and foundation districts with a district average 1995-96 Per Capita Tuition Charge equal to or more than $5,900, excluding any school district with a population in excess of 1,000,000, by multiplying the district's increase in attendance resulting from the net increase in new students enrolled in that school district who reside in housing units within the redevelopment project area that have received financial assistance through an agreement with the municipality or because the municipality incurs the cost of necessary infrastructure improvements within the boundaries of the housing sites necessary for the completion of that housing as authorized by this Act since the designation of the redevelopment project area by the most recently available per capita tuition cost as defined in Section 10-20.12a of the School Code less any increase in general state aid as defined in Section 18-8.05 of the School Code or evidence-based funding as defined in Section 18-8.15 of the School Code attributable to these added new students subject to the following annual limitations:

(i) for unit school districts, no more than 40% of the total amount of property tax increment revenue produced by those housing units that have received tax increment finance assistance under this Act;

(ii) for elementary school districts, no more than 27% of the total amount of property tax increment revenue produced by those housing units that have received tax increment finance assistance under this Act; and

(iii) for secondary school districts, no more than 13% of the total amount of property tax increment revenue produced by those housing units that have received tax increment finance assistance under this Act.

(C) For any school district in a municipality with a population in excess of 1,000,000, the following restrictions shall apply to the reimbursement of increased costs under this paragraph (7.5):

(i) no increased costs shall be reimbursed unless the school district certifies that each of the schools affected by the assisted housing project is at or over its student capacity;

(ii) the amount reimbursable shall be reduced by the value of any land donated to the school district by the municipality or developer, and by the value of any physical improvements made to the schools by the municipality or developer; and

(iii) the amount reimbursed may not affect amounts otherwise obligated by the terms of any bonds, notes, or other funding instruments, or the terms of any redevelopment agreement.

Any school district seeking payment under this paragraph (7.5) shall, after July 1 and before September 30 of each year, provide the municipality with reasonable evidence to support its claim for reimbursement before the municipality shall be required to approve or make the payment to the school district. If the school district fails to provide the information during this period in any year, it shall forfeit any claim to reimbursement for that year. School districts may adopt a resolution waiving the right to all or a portion of the reimbursement otherwise required by this paragraph (7.5). By acceptance of this reimbursement the school district waives the right to directly or indirectly set aside, modify, or contest in any manner the establishment of the redevelopment project area or projects;

(7.7) For redevelopment project areas designated (or redevelopment project areas amended to add or increase the number of tax-increment-financing assisted housing units) on or after January 1, 2005 (the effective date of Public Act 93-961), a public library district's increased costs attributable to assisted housing units located within the redevelopment project area for which the developer or redeveloper receives financial assistance through an agreement with the municipality or because the municipality incurs the cost of necessary infrastructure improvements within the boundaries of the assisted housing sites necessary for the completion of that housing as authorized by this Act shall be paid to the library district by the municipality from the Special Tax Allocation Fund when the tax increment revenue is received as a result of the assisted housing units. This paragraph (7.7) applies only if (i) the library district is located in a county that is subject to the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law or (ii) the library district is not located in a county that is subject to the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law but the district is prohibited by any other law from increasing its tax levy rate without a prior voter referendum.

The amount paid to a library district under this paragraph (7.7) shall be calculated by multiplying (i) the net increase in the number of persons eligible to obtain a library card in that district who reside in housing units within the redevelopment project area that have received financial assistance through an agreement with the municipality or because the municipality incurs the cost of necessary infrastructure improvements within the boundaries of the housing sites necessary for the completion of that housing as authorized by this Act since the designation of the redevelopment project area by (ii) the per-patron cost of providing library services so long as it does not exceed $120. The per-patron cost shall be the Total Operating Expenditures Per Capita for the library in the previous fiscal year. The municipality may deduct from the amount that it must pay to a library district under this paragraph any amount that it has voluntarily paid to the library district from the tax increment revenue. The amount paid to a library district under this paragraph (7.7) shall be no more than 2% of the amount produced by the assisted housing units and deposited into the Special Tax Allocation Fund.

A library district is not eligible for any payment under this paragraph (7.7) unless the library district has experienced an increase in the number of patrons from the municipality that created the tax-increment-financing district since the designation of the redevelopment project area.

Any library district seeking payment under this paragraph (7.7) shall, after July 1 and before September 30 of each year, provide the municipality with convincing evidence to support its claim for reimbursement before the municipality shall be required to approve or make the payment to the library district. If the library district fails to provide the information during this period in any year, it shall forfeit any claim to reimbursement for that year. Library districts may adopt a resolution waiving the right to all or a portion of the reimbursement otherwise required by this paragraph (7.7). By acceptance of such reimbursement, the library district shall forfeit any right to directly or indirectly set aside, modify, or contest in any manner whatsoever the establishment of the redevelopment project area or projects;

(8) Relocation costs to the extent that a municipality determines that relocation costs shall be paid or is required to make payment of relocation costs by federal or State law or in order to satisfy subparagraph (7) of subsection (n);

(9) Payment in lieu of taxes;

(10) Costs of job training, retraining, advanced vocational education or career education, including but not limited to courses in occupational, semi-technical or technical fields leading directly to employment, incurred by one or more taxing districts, provided that such costs (i) are related to the establishment and maintenance of additional job training, advanced vocational education or career education programs for persons employed or to be employed by employers located in a redevelopment project area; and (ii) when incurred by a taxing district or taxing districts other than the municipality, are set forth in a written agreement by or among the municipality and the taxing district or taxing districts, which agreement describes the program to be undertaken, including but not limited to the number of employees to be trained, a description of the training and services to be provided, the number and type of positions available or to be available, itemized costs of the program and sources of funds to pay for the same, and the term of the agreement. Such costs include, specifically, the payment by community college districts of costs pursuant to Sections 3-37, 3-38, 3-40 and 3-40.1 of the Public Community College Act and by school districts of costs pursuant to Sections 10-22.20a and 10-23.3a of the School Code;

(11) Interest cost incurred by a redeveloper related to the construction, renovation or rehabilitation of a redevelopment project provided that:

(A) such costs are to be paid directly from the special tax allocation fund established pursuant to this Act;

(B) such payments in any one year may not exceed 30% of the annual interest costs incurred by the redeveloper with regard to the redevelopment project during that year;

(C) if there are not sufficient funds available in the special tax allocation fund to make the payment pursuant to this paragraph (11) then the amounts so due shall accrue and be payable when sufficient funds are available in the special tax allocation fund;

(D) the total of such interest payments paid pursuant to this Act may not exceed 30% of the total (i) cost paid or incurred by the redeveloper for the redevelopment project plus (ii) redevelopment project costs excluding any property assembly costs and any relocation costs incurred by a municipality pursuant to this Act;

(E) the cost limits set forth in subparagraphs (B) and (D) of paragraph (11) shall be modified for the financing of rehabilitated or new housing units for low-income households and very low-income households, as defined in Section 3 of the Illinois Affordable Housing Act. The percentage of 75% shall be substituted for 30% in subparagraphs (B) and (D) of paragraph (11); and

(F) instead of the eligible costs provided by subparagraphs (B) and (D) of paragraph (11), as modified by this subparagraph, and notwithstanding any other provisions of this Act to the contrary, the municipality may pay from tax increment revenues up to 50% of the cost of construction of new housing units to be occupied by low-income households and very low-income households as defined in Section 3 of the Illinois Affordable Housing Act. The cost of construction of those units may be derived from the proceeds of bonds issued by the municipality under this Act or other constitutional or statutory authority or from other sources of municipal revenue that may be reimbursed from tax increment revenues or the proceeds of bonds issued to finance the construction of that housing.

The eligible costs provided under this subparagraph (F) of paragraph (11) shall be an eligible cost for the construction, renovation, and rehabilitation of all low and very low-income housing units, as defined in Section 3 of the Illinois Affordable Housing Act, within the redevelopment project area. If the low and very low-income units are part of a residential redevelopment project that includes units not affordable to low and very low-income households, only the low and very low-income units shall be eligible for benefits under this subparagraph (F) of paragraph (11). The standards for maintaining the occupancy by low-income households and very low-income households, as defined in Section 3 of the Illinois Affordable Housing Act, of those units constructed with eligible costs made available under the provisions of this subparagraph (F) of paragraph (11) shall be established by guidelines adopted by the municipality. The responsibility for annually documenting the initial occupancy of the units by low-income households and very low-income households, as defined in Section 3 of the Illinois Affordable Housing Act, shall be that of the then current owner of the property. For ownership units, the guidelines will provide, at a minimum, for a reasonable recapture of funds, or other appropriate methods designed to preserve the original affordability of the ownership units. For rental units, the guidelines will provide, at a minimum, for the affordability of rent to low and very low-income households. As units become available, they shall be rented to income-eligible tenants. The municipality may modify these guidelines from time to time; the guidelines, however, shall be in effect for as long as tax increment revenue is being used to pay for costs associated with the units or for the retirement of bonds issued to finance the units or for the life of the redevelopment project area, whichever is later;

(11.5) If the redevelopment project area is located within a municipality with a population of more than 100,000, the cost of day care services for children of employees from low-income families working for businesses located within the redevelopment project area and all or a portion of the cost of operation of day care centers established by redevelopment project area businesses to serve employees from low-income families working in businesses located in the redevelopment project area. For the purposes of this paragraph, "low-income families" means families whose annual income does not exceed 80% of the municipal, county, or regional median income, adjusted for family size, as the annual income and municipal, county, or regional median income are determined from time to time by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development.

(12) Costs relating to the development of urban agricultural areas under Division 15.2 of the Illinois Municipal Code.

Unless explicitly stated herein the cost of construction of new privately-owned buildings shall not be an eligible redevelopment project cost.

After November 1, 1999 (the effective date of Public Act 91-478), none of the redevelopment project costs enumerated in this subsection shall be eligible redevelopment project costs if those costs would provide direct financial support to a retail entity initiating operations in the redevelopment project area while terminating operations at another Illinois location within 10 miles of the redevelopment project area but outside the boundaries of the redevelopment project area municipality. For purposes of this paragraph, termination means a closing of a retail operation that is directly related to the opening of the same operation or like retail entity owned or operated by more than 50% of the original ownership in a redevelopment project area, but it does not mean closing an operation for reasons beyond the control of the retail entity, as documented by the retail entity, subject to a reasonable finding by the municipality that the current location contained inadequate space, had become economically obsolete, or was no longer a viable location for the retailer or serviceman.

No cost shall be a redevelopment project cost in a redevelopment project area if used to demolish, remove, or substantially modify a historic resource, after August 26, 2008 (the effective date of Public Act 95-934), unless no prudent and feasible alternative exists. "Historic resource" for the purpose of this paragraph means (i) a place or structure that is included or eligible for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places or (ii) a contributing structure in a district on the National Register of Historic Places. This paragraph does not apply to a place or structure for which demolition, removal, or modification is subject to review by the preservation agency of a Certified Local Government designated as such by the National Park Service of the United States Department of the Interior.

If a special service area has been established pursuant to the Special Service Area Tax Act or Special Service Area Tax Law, then any tax increment revenues derived from the tax imposed pursuant to the Special Service Area Tax Act or Special Service Area Tax Law may be used within the redevelopment project area for the purposes permitted by that Act or Law as well as the purposes permitted by this Act.

(q-1) For redevelopment project areas created pursuant to subsection (p-1), redevelopment project costs are limited to those costs in paragraph (q) that are related to the existing or proposed Metropolitan Mobility Regional Transportation Authority Suburban Transit Access Route (STAR Line) station.

(q-2) For a transit facility improvement area established prior to, on, or after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 102nd General Assembly: (i) "redevelopment project costs" means those costs described in subsection (q) that are related to the construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation, remodeling, or repair of any existing or proposed transit facility, whether that facility is located within or outside the boundaries of a redevelopment project area established within that transit facility improvement area (and, to the extent a redevelopment project cost is described in subsection (q) as incurred or estimated to be incurred with respect to a redevelopment project area, then it shall apply with respect to such transit facility improvement area); and (ii) the provisions of Section 11-74.4-8 regarding tax increment allocation financing for a redevelopment project area located in a transit facility improvement area shall apply only to the lots, blocks, tracts and parcels of real property that are located within the boundaries of that redevelopment project area and not to the lots, blocks, tracts, and parcels of real property that are located outside the boundaries of that redevelopment project area.

(r) "State Sales Tax Boundary" means the redevelopment project area or the amended redevelopment project area boundaries which are determined pursuant to subsection (9) of Section 11-74.4-8a of this Act. The Department of Revenue shall certify pursuant to subsection (9) of Section 11-74.4-8a the appropriate boundaries eligible for the determination of State Sales Tax Increment.

(s) "State Sales Tax Increment" means an amount equal to the increase in the aggregate amount of taxes paid by retailers and servicemen, other than retailers and servicemen subject to the Public Utilities Act, on transactions at places of business located within a State Sales Tax Boundary pursuant to the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act, the Use Tax Act, the Service Use Tax Act, and the Service Occupation Tax Act, except such portion of such increase that is paid into the State and Local Sales Tax Reform Fund, the Local Government Distributive Fund, the Local Government Tax Fund and the County and Mass Transit District Fund, for as long as State participation exists, over and above the Initial Sales Tax Amounts, Adjusted Initial Sales Tax Amounts or the Revised Initial Sales Tax Amounts for such taxes as certified by the Department of Revenue and paid under those Acts by retailers and servicemen on transactions at places of business located within the State Sales Tax Boundary during the base year which shall be the calendar year immediately prior to the year in which the municipality adopted tax increment allocation financing, less 3.0% of such amounts generated under the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act, Use Tax Act and Service Use Tax Act and the Service Occupation Tax Act, which sum shall be appropriated to the Department of Revenue to cover its costs of administering and enforcing this Section. For purposes of computing the aggregate amount of such taxes for base years occurring prior to 1985, the Department of Revenue shall compute the Initial Sales Tax Amount for such taxes and deduct therefrom an amount equal to 4% of the aggregate amount of taxes per year for each year the base year is prior to 1985, but not to exceed a total deduction of 12%. The amount so determined shall be known as the "Adjusted Initial Sales Tax Amount". For purposes of determining the State Sales Tax Increment the Department of Revenue shall for each period subtract from the tax amounts received from retailers and servicemen on transactions located in the State Sales Tax Boundary, the certified Initial Sales Tax Amounts, Adjusted Initial Sales Tax Amounts or Revised Initial Sales Tax Amounts for the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act, the Use Tax Act, the Service Use Tax Act and the Service Occupation Tax Act. For the State Fiscal Year 1989 this calculation shall be made by utilizing the calendar year 1987 to determine the tax amounts received. For the State Fiscal Year 1990, this calculation shall be made by utilizing the period from January 1, 1988, until September 30, 1988, to determine the tax amounts received from retailers and servicemen, which shall have deducted therefrom nine-twelfths of the certified Initial Sales Tax Amounts, Adjusted Initial Sales Tax Amounts or the Revised Initial Sales Tax Amounts as appropriate. For the State Fiscal Year 1991, this calculation shall be made by utilizing the period from October 1, 1988, until June 30, 1989, to determine the tax amounts received from retailers and servicemen, which shall have deducted therefrom nine-twelfths of the certified Initial State Sales Tax Amounts, Adjusted Initial Sales Tax Amounts or the Revised Initial Sales Tax Amounts as appropriate. For every State Fiscal Year thereafter, the applicable period shall be the 12 months beginning July 1 and ending on June 30, to determine the tax amounts received which shall have deducted therefrom the certified Initial Sales Tax Amounts, Adjusted Initial Sales Tax Amounts or the Revised Initial Sales Tax Amounts. Municipalities intending to receive a distribution of State Sales Tax Increment must report a list of retailers to the Department of Revenue by October 31, 1988 and by July 31, of each year thereafter.

(t) "Taxing districts" means counties, townships, cities and incorporated towns and villages, school, road, park, sanitary, mosquito abatement, forest preserve, public health, fire protection, river conservancy, tuberculosis sanitarium and any other municipal corporations or districts with the power to levy taxes.

(u) "Taxing districts' capital costs" means those costs of taxing districts for capital improvements that are found by the municipal corporate authorities to be necessary and directly result from the redevelopment project.

(v) As used in subsection (a) of Section 11-74.4-3 of this Act, "vacant land" means any parcel or combination of parcels of real property without industrial, commercial, and residential buildings which has not been used for commercial agricultural purposes within 5 years prior to the designation of the redevelopment project area, unless the parcel is included in an industrial park conservation area or the parcel has been subdivided; provided that if the parcel was part of a larger tract that has been divided into 3 or more smaller tracts that were accepted for recording during the period from 1950 to 1990, then the parcel shall be deemed to have been subdivided, and all proceedings and actions of the municipality taken in that connection with respect to any previously approved or designated redevelopment project area or amended redevelopment project area are hereby validated and hereby declared to be legally sufficient for all purposes of this Act. For purposes of this Section and only for land subject to the subdivision requirements of the Plat Act, land is subdivided when the original plat of the proposed Redevelopment Project Area or relevant portion thereof has been properly certified, acknowledged, approved, and recorded or filed in accordance with the Plat Act and a preliminary plat, if any, for any subsequent phases of the proposed Redevelopment Project Area or relevant portion thereof has been properly approved and filed in accordance with the applicable ordinance of the municipality.

(w) "Annual Total Increment" means the sum of each municipality's annual Net Sales Tax Increment and each municipality's annual Net Utility Tax Increment. The ratio of the Annual Total Increment of each municipality to the Annual Total Increment for all municipalities, as most recently calculated by the Department, shall determine the proportional shares of the Illinois Tax Increment Fund to be distributed to each municipality.

(x) "LEED certified" means any certification level of construction elements by a qualified Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Accredited Professional as determined by the U.S. Green Building Council.

(y) "Green Globes certified" means any certification level of construction elements by a qualified Green Globes Professional as determined by the Green Building Initiative.

(Source: P.A. 102-627, eff. 8-27-21.)

(65 ILCS 5/Art. 11 Div. 122.2 heading)

DIVISION 122.2. METROPOLITAN MOBILITY REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION

AUTHORITY

(65 ILCS 5/11-122.2-1) (from Ch. 24, par. 11-122.2-1)

Sec. 11-122.2-1. In addition to all its other powers, every municipality shall, in all its dealings with the Metropolitan Mobility Regional Transportation Authority established by the Metropolitan Mobility "Regional Transportation Authority Act", enacted by the 78th General Assembly, have the following powers:

(a) to cooperate with the Metropolitan Mobility Regional Transportation Authority in the exercise by the Metropolitan Mobility Regional Transportation Authority of all the powers granted it by the Act;

(b) to receive funds from the Metropolitan Mobility Regional Transportation Authority upon such terms and conditions as shall be set forth in an agreement between the municipality and Metropolitan Mobility Authority the Suburban Bus Board or the Commuter Rail Board, which contract or agreement may be for such number of years or duration as they may agree, all as provided in the Metropolitan Mobility "Regional Transportation Authority Act";

(c) (blank); to receive financial grants from a Service Board, as defined in the "Regional Transportation Authority Act", upon such terms and conditions as shall be set forth in a Purchase of Service Agreement or other grant contract between the municipality and the Service Board, which contract or agreement may be for such number of years or duration as the Service Board and the municipality may agree, all as provided in the "Regional Transportation Authority Act";

(d) to acquire from the Metropolitan Mobility Authority any public transportation facility Regional Transportation Authority or a Service Board any Public Transportation Facility, as defined in the Metropolitan Mobility "Regional Transportation Authority Act", by purchase contract, gift, grant, exchange for other property or rights in property, lease (or sublease) or installment or conditional purchase contracts, which contracts or leases may provide for consideration to be paid in annual installments during a period not exceeding 40 years; such property may be acquired subject to such conditions, restrictions, liens or security or other interests of other parties as the municipality may deem appropriate and in each case the municipality may acquire a joint, leasehold, easement, license or other partial interest in such property;

(e) to sell, sell by installment contract, lease (or sublease) as lessor, or transfer to, or grant to or provide for the use by the Metropolitan Mobility Authority any public transportation facility Regional Transportation Authority or a Service Board any Public Transportation Facility, as defined in the Metropolitan Mobility "Regional Transportation Authority Act, " upon such terms and for such consideration, or for no consideration, as the municipality may deem proper;

(f) to cooperate with the Metropolitan Mobility Regional Transportation Authority or a Service Board for the protection of employees and users of public transportation facilities against crime and also to protect such facilities; such cooperation may include, without limitation, agreements for the coordination of police or security forces;

(g) to file such reports with and transfer such records, papers or documents to the Metropolitan Mobility Authority Regional Transportation Authority or a Service Board as may be agreed upon with, or required by, the Metropolitan Mobility Regional Transportation Authority or a Service Board.

In exercising any of the powers granted in this Section the municipality shall not be subject to the provisions of this Code or any Act making public bidding or notice a requirement for any purchase or sale by a municipality. Notwithstanding any provision of this Code to the contrary, every municipality may enter into purchase of service agreements, grant agreements Purchase of Service Agreements, grant contracts, other contracts, agreements or leases, as provided in this Section, and may incur obligations and expenses thereunder without making a previous appropriation therefor.

(Source: P.A. 83-886.)

Section 8.31. The Regional Planning Act is amended by changing Section 10 as follows:

(70 ILCS 1707/10)

Sec. 10. Definitions.

"Board" means the Board of the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning.

"CMAP" means the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning.

"Chief elected county official" means the Board Chairman in DuPage, Kane, Kendall, Lake, and McHenry Counties and the County Executive in Will County.

"Fiscal year" means the fiscal year of the State.

"IDOT" means the Illinois Department of Transportation.

"MPO" means the metropolitan planning organization designated under 23 U.S.C. 134.

"Members" means the members of the Board.

"Person" means an individual, partnership, firm, public or private corporation, State agency, transportation agency, or unit of local government.

"Policy Committee" means the decision-making body of the MPO.

"Region" or "northeastern Illinois region" means Cook, DuPage, Kane, Kendall, Lake, McHenry, and Will Counties.

"State agency" means "agency" as defined in Section 1-20 of the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act.

"Transportation agency" means the Metropolitan Mobility Regional Transportation Authority and its Service Boards; the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority; the Illinois Department of Transportation; and the transportation functions of units of local government.

"Unit of local government" means a unit of local government, as defined in Section 1 of Article VII of the Illinois Constitution, that is located within the jurisdiction and area of operation of the Board.

"USDOT" means the United States Department of Transportation.

(Source: P.A. 94-510, eff. 8-9-05; 95-677, eff. 10-11-07.)

(70 ILCS 3605/Act rep.)

Section 8.32. The Metropolitan Transit Authority Act is repealed.

Section 8.33. The Local Mass Transit District Act is amended by changing Sections 3.1, 5.05, and 8.5 as follows:

(70 ILCS 3610/3.1) (from Ch. 111 2/3, par. 353.1)

Sec. 3.1. Also in the manner provided in this Act as amended, a "Local Mass Transit District" may be created with boundary to enclose a unit area of contiguous land, to be known as the "participating area". Such a "participating area" may be organized as a district under this Act without regard to boundaries of counties or other political subdivisions or municipal corporations.

(a) Any 500 or more legal voters who are residents within such "participating area" may file a petition in the circuit court of the county where the proposed district or a major part thereof is located, asking that the question of creating such district be submitted under this Act by referendum to the voters residing within the proposed district. By their power of attorney signed by them and filed in the cause the petitioners may authorize a committee of their number named by the petitioners, to conduct and pursue the cause for them to a conclusion. Such petition shall define the boundaries of the proposed district, shall indicate distances to nearest mass transportation lines in each direction, naming them, shall have attached a fair map of the proposed district, and shall suggest a name for the proposed district.

(b) The circuit clerk shall present to the circuit judge any petition so filed in the court. The judge shall enter an order of record to set a date, hour and place for judicial hearing on the petition. That order shall include instructions to the circuit clerk to give notice by newspaper publication to be made and completed at least 20 days before the hearing is to be held, in 2 or more newspapers published or circulating generally among the people residing within the proposed district. The circuit clerk shall prepare that notice and cause such publication notice to be given as directed.

(c) After proof of such newspaper publication of notice has been made and filed in the cause and shown to the court in full accord with the prior order, the circuit judge shall hear all persons who attend and so request, as to location and boundary and name for the proposed district. After the hearing on such petition is completed, the circuit court by an order of record, shall determine and establish the location, name and boundary for such proposed district, and shall order the proposition submitted at an election in accordance with the general election law to the voters resident within such proposed district. The circuit clerk shall certify the proposition to the proper election officials who shall submit the proposition in accordance with the general election law.

(d) The county clerk shall canvass the ballots and other returns from such referendum, and prepare a full certification of the result and shall file same in the cause pending in the circuit court. When the vote is in favor of the creation of such district as determined by the court order, a true map of such district shall be filed with such report in the circuit court.

(e) When the vote is in favor of creation of such district, the circuit court by an order of record shall confirm the result of election. If the district is wholly contained within a single county the presiding officer of the county board with the advice and consent of the county board shall appoint 5 trustees, not more than 3 of whom shall be affiliated with the same political party, to govern the district and serve one each for 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 years respectively; upon the expiration of the term of a trustee who is in office on the effective date of this amendatory Act of 1989, the successor shall, at the time of the appointment, and thereafter at all times while serving as trustee, be a resident of the Mass Transit District for which such person is appointed as trustee. If a trustee removes his residence to a place outside of the District, a trustee shall be appointed in the same manner as herein provided to take the place of the trustee who so removed his residence. If however the district is located in more than one county, the number of trustees who are residents of a county shall be in proportion, as nearly as practicable, to the number of residents of the district who reside in that county in relation to the total population of the district.

Upon the expiration of the term of a trustee who is in office on the effective date of this amendatory Act of 1975, the successor shall be a resident of whichever county is entitled to such representation in order to bring about the proportional representation required herein, and he shall be appointed by the county board of that county, or in the case of a home rule county as defined by Article VII, Section 6 of the Constitution of 1970, the chief executive officer of that county, with the advice and consent of the county board in accordance with the provisions previously enumerated. Successors shall serve 5 year overlapping terms.

Thereafter, each trustee shall be succeeded by a resident of the same county who shall be appointed by the same appointing authority; however, the provisions of the preceding paragraph shall apply to the appointment of the successor to each trustee who is in office at the time of the publication of each decennial Federal census of population.

(f) Upon the creation of such district, the circuit clerk shall prepare and certify a copy of the final court order confirming the referendum creating the district, and a duplicate of the map of such district, from the record of the circuit court, and shall file the same with the county clerk for recording in his office as "Certificate of Incorporation" for the district. The county clerk shall cause a duplicate of such "Certificate of Incorporation" to be filed in the office of the Secretary of State of Illinois.

(g) The Board of Trustees of such "Local Mass Transit District" shall have and exercise all the powers and shall perform all the duties of any Board of Trustees of any district created under this Act, as now or hereafter amended.

(h) The circuit court shall require the petitioners to post a surety bond for the payment of all costs and expenses of such proceeding and such referendum. When a district is created, the circuit court shall order the district to pay or reimburse others for all such costs and expenses. The surety bond shall not be released until complete receipts for all such costs and expenses have been filed in the cause and fully audited by the circuit and county clerks.

(i) If the District is wholly contained within a single county, the County Board of such county may, by resolution, provide that, effective upon the next appointment of a Trustee, after the effective date of this amendatory Act of 1989, that the Board of Trustees of such Mass Transit District shall be comprised of 7 Trustees, with no more than 4 members of the same political party. This Subsection shall not apply to any Mass Transit District in the State which receives funding in whole or in part from the Metropolitan Mobility Authority Regional Transportation Authority or any of its service boards.

(Source: P.A. 86-472.)

(70 ILCS 3610/5.05) (from Ch. 111 2/3, par. 355.05)

Sec. 5.05. In addition to all its other powers, each District shall, in all its dealings with the Metropolitan Mobility Regional Transportation Authority established by the Metropolitan Mobility "Regional Transportation Authority Act", enacted by the 78th General Assembly, have the following powers:

(a) to cooperate with the Metropolitan Mobility Regional Transportation Authority in the exercise by the Metropolitan Mobility Regional Transportation Authority of all the powers granted it by such Act;

(b) to receive funds from the Metropolitan Mobility Regional Transportation Authority upon such terms and conditions as shall be set forth in an agreement between the District and the Metropolitan Mobility Regional Transportation Authority, which contract or agreement may be for such number of years or duration as the Authority and the District may agree, all as provided in the Metropolitan Mobility "Regional Transportation Authority Act";

(c) (blank); to receive financial grants from a Service Board, as defined in the "Regional Transportation Authority Act", upon such terms and conditions as shall be set forth in a Purchase of Service Agreement or other grant contact between the District and the Service Board, which contract or agreement may be for such number of years or duration as the Service Board and the District may agree, all as provided in the "Regional Transportation Authority Act";

(d) to acquire from the Metropolitan Mobility Authority any public transportation facility Regional Transportation Authority or Service Board any Public Transportation Facility, as defined in the Metropolitan Mobility "Regional Transportation Authority Act", by purchase contract, gift, grant, exchange for other property or rights in property, lease (or sublease) or installment or conditional purchase contracts, which contracts or leases may provide for consideration to be paid in annual installments during a period not exceeding 40 years; such property may be acquired subject to such conditions, restrictions, liens or security or other interests of other parties as the District may deem appropriate and in each case the District may acquire a joint, leasehold, easement, license or other partial interest in such property;

(e) to sell, sell by installment contract, lease (or sublease) as lessor, or transfer to, or grant to or provide for the use by the Metropolitan Mobility Authority any public transportation facility Regional Transportation Authority or a Service Board any Public Transportation Facility, as defined in the Metropolitan Mobility "Regional Transportation Authority Act, " upon such terms and for such consideration, as the District may deem proper;

(f) to cooperate with the Metropolitan Mobility Authority Regional Transportation Authority or a Service Board for the protection of employees of the District and users of public transportation facilities against crime and also to protect such facilities, but neither the District, the member of its Board nor its officers or employees shall be held liable for failure to provide a security or police force, or, if a security or police force is provided, for failure to provide adequate police protection or security, failure to prevent the commission of crimes by fellow passengers or other third persons or for the failure to apprehend criminals; and

(g) to file such reports with and transfer such records, papers or documents to the Metropolitan Mobility Authority Regional Transportation Authority or a Service Board as may be agreed upon with, or required by, the Metropolitan Mobility Authority Regional Transportation Authority or a Service Board.

In exercising any of the powers granted in this Section, the District shall not be subject to the provisions of any Act making public bidding or notice a requirement of any purchase or sale by a District.

(Source: P.A. 84-939.)

(70 ILCS 3610/8.5) (from Ch. 111 2/3, par. 358.5)

Sec. 8.5. In addition to any other method provided for annexation under this Act, any territory, except property classified as farmland, which (1) lies within the corporate limits of a municipality as defined in this Act, (2) is contiguous to a local mass transit district organized under this Act, and (3) is not a part of another local mass transit district, may be annexed by the contiguous local mass transit district, by ordinance, after a public hearing has been held thereon by the board of trustees of the district at a location within the territory sought to be annexed, or within 1 mile of any part of the territory sought to be annexed. The annexing district shall cause to be published three times in a newspaper having general circulation within the area considered for annexation, at least 30 days prior to the public hearing thereon, a notice that the local mass transit district is considering the annexation of the territory specified. The notice shall also state the date, time and place of the public hearing. The annexing district shall cause to be delivered to each owner of a parcel of land which is 5 or more acres, which land is proposed to be annexed in whole or in part, a written notice containing the information required to be included in the published notice. The notice shall be delivered by first class mail so that said notice arrives 30 days in advance of the public hearing. The board of trustees of the district shall give due consideration to all testimony. For the purposes of this Section "property classified as farmland" shall mean property classified as farmland for assessment purposes pursuant to the Property Tax Code. This Section shall not apply to any mass transit district in the State which receives funding in whole or in part from the Metropolitan Mobility Authority Regional Transportation Authority or any of its service boards.

(Source: P.A. 88-670, eff. 12-2-94.)

(70 ILCS 3615/Act rep.)

Section 8.34. The Regional Transportation Authority Act is repealed.

Section 8.35. The Water Commission Act of 1985 is amended by changing Section 4 as follows:

(70 ILCS 3720/4) (from Ch. 111 2/3, par. 254)

Sec. 4. Taxes.

(a) The board of commissioners of any county water commission may, by ordinance, impose throughout the territory of the commission any or all of the taxes provided in this Section for its corporate purposes. However, no county water commission may impose any such tax unless the commission certifies the proposition of imposing the tax to the proper election officials, who shall submit the proposition to the voters residing in the territory at an election in accordance with the general election law, and the proposition has been approved by a majority of those voting on the proposition.

The proposition shall be in the form provided in Section 5 or shall be substantially in the following form:

-------------

Shall the (insert corporate name of county water commission) YES impose (state type of tax or ------------------------

taxes to be imposed) at the NO rate of 1/4%? -------------------------------------------------------------

Taxes imposed under this Section and civil penalties imposed incident thereto shall be collected and enforced by the State Department of Revenue. The Department shall have the power to administer and enforce the taxes and to determine all rights for refunds for erroneous payments of the taxes.

(b) The board of commissioners may impose a County Water Commission Retailers' Occupation Tax upon all persons engaged in the business of selling tangible personal property at retail in the territory of the commission at a rate of 1/4% of the gross receipts from the sales made in the course of such business within the territory. Beginning January 1, 2021, this tax is not imposed on sales of aviation fuel for so long as the revenue use requirements of 49 U.S.C. 47107(b) and 49 U.S.C. 47133 are binding on the District.

The tax imposed under this paragraph and all civil penalties that may be assessed as an incident thereof shall be collected and enforced by the State Department of Revenue. The Department shall have full power to administer and enforce this paragraph; to collect all taxes and penalties due hereunder; to dispose of taxes and penalties so collected in the manner hereinafter provided; and to determine all rights to credit memoranda arising on account of the erroneous payment of tax or penalty hereunder. In the administration of, and compliance with, this paragraph, the Department and persons who are subject to this paragraph shall have the same rights, remedies, privileges, immunities, powers and duties, and be subject to the same conditions, restrictions, limitations, penalties, exclusions, exemptions and definitions of terms, and employ the same modes of procedure, as are prescribed in Sections 1, 1a, 1a-1, 1c, 1d, 1e, 1f, 1i, 1j, 2 through 2-65 (in respect to all provisions therein other than the State rate of tax except that tangible personal property taxed at the 1% rate under the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act shall not be subject to tax hereunder), 2c, 3 (except as to the disposition of taxes and penalties collected, and except that the retailer's discount is not allowed for taxes paid on aviation fuel sold on or after December 1, 2019 and through December 31, 2020), 4, 5, 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e, 5f, 5g, 5h, 5i, 5j, 5k, 5l, 6, 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13 of the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act and Section 3-7 of the Uniform Penalty and Interest Act, as fully as if those provisions were set forth herein.

Persons subject to any tax imposed under the authority granted in this paragraph may reimburse themselves for their seller's tax liability hereunder by separately stating the tax as an additional charge, which charge may be stated in combination, in a single amount, with State taxes that sellers are required to collect under the Use Tax Act and under subsection (e) of Section 6.02 4.03 of the Metropolitan Mobility Regional Transportation Authority Act, in accordance with such bracket schedules as the Department may prescribe.

Whenever the Department determines that a refund should be made under this paragraph to a claimant instead of issuing a credit memorandum, the Department shall notify the State Comptroller, who shall cause the warrant to be drawn for the amount specified, and to the person named, in the notification from the Department. The refund shall be paid by the State Treasurer out of a county water commission tax fund established under subsection (g) of this Section.

For the purpose of determining whether a tax authorized under this paragraph is applicable, a retail sale by a producer of coal or other mineral mined in Illinois is a sale at retail at the place where the coal or other mineral mined in Illinois is extracted from the earth. This paragraph does not apply to coal or other mineral when it is delivered or shipped by the seller to the purchaser at a point outside Illinois so that the sale is exempt under the Federal Constitution as a sale in interstate or foreign commerce.

If a tax is imposed under this subsection (b), a tax shall also be imposed under subsections (c) and (d) of this Section.

No tax shall be imposed or collected under this subsection on the sale of a motor vehicle in this State to a resident of another state if that motor vehicle will not be titled in this State.

Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to authorize a county water commission to impose a tax upon the privilege of engaging in any business which under the Constitution of the United States may not be made the subject of taxation by this State.

(c) If a tax has been imposed under subsection (b), a County Water Commission Service Occupation Tax shall also be imposed upon all persons engaged, in the territory of the commission, in the business of making sales of service, who, as an incident to making the sales of service, transfer tangible personal property within the territory. The tax rate shall be 1/4% of the selling price of tangible personal property so transferred within the territory. Beginning January 1, 2021, this tax is not imposed on sales of aviation fuel for so long as the revenue use requirements of 49 U.S.C. 47107(b) and 49 U.S.C. 47133 are binding on the District.

The tax imposed under this paragraph and all civil penalties that may be assessed as an incident thereof shall be collected and enforced by the State Department of Revenue. The Department shall have full power to administer and enforce this paragraph; to collect all taxes and penalties due hereunder; to dispose of taxes and penalties so collected in the manner hereinafter provided; and to determine all rights to credit memoranda arising on account of the erroneous payment of tax or penalty hereunder. In the administration of, and compliance with, this paragraph, the Department and persons who are subject to this paragraph shall have the same rights, remedies, privileges, immunities, powers and duties, and be subject to the same conditions, restrictions, limitations, penalties, exclusions, exemptions and definitions of terms, and employ the same modes of procedure, as are prescribed in Sections 1a-1, 2 (except that the reference to State in the definition of supplier maintaining a place of business in this State shall mean the territory of the commission), 2a, 3 through 3-50 (in respect to all provisions therein other than the State rate of tax except that tangible personal property taxed at the 1% rate under the Service Occupation Tax Act shall not be subject to tax hereunder), 4 (except that the reference to the State shall be to the territory of the commission), 5, 7, 8 (except that the jurisdiction to which the tax shall be a debt to the extent indicated in that Section 8 shall be the commission), 9 (except as to the disposition of taxes and penalties collected and except that the returned merchandise credit for this tax may not be taken against any State tax, and except that the retailer's discount is not allowed for taxes paid on aviation fuel sold on or after December 1, 2019 and through December 31, 2020), 10, 11, 12 (except the reference therein to Section 2b of the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act), 13 (except that any reference to the State shall mean the territory of the commission), the first paragraph of Section 15, 15.5, 16, 17, 18, 19, and 20 of the Service Occupation Tax Act as fully as if those provisions were set forth herein.

Persons subject to any tax imposed under the authority granted in this paragraph may reimburse themselves for their serviceman's tax liability hereunder by separately stating the tax as an additional charge, which charge may be stated in combination, in a single amount, with State tax that servicemen are authorized to collect under the Service Use Tax Act, and any tax for which servicemen may be liable under subsection (m) of Section 6.02 (f) of Section 4.03 of the Metropolitan Mobility Regional Transportation Authority Act, in accordance with such bracket schedules as the Department may prescribe.

Whenever the Department determines that a refund should be made under this paragraph to a claimant instead of issuing a credit memorandum, the Department shall notify the State Comptroller, who shall cause the warrant to be drawn for the amount specified, and to the person named, in the notification from the Department. The refund shall be paid by the State Treasurer out of a county water commission tax fund established under subsection (g) of this Section.

Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to authorize a county water commission to impose a tax upon the privilege of engaging in any business which under the Constitution of the United States may not be made the subject of taxation by the State.

(d) If a tax has been imposed under subsection (b), a tax shall also be imposed upon the privilege of using, in the territory of the commission, any item of tangible personal property that is purchased outside the territory at retail from a retailer, and that is titled or registered with an agency of this State's government, at a rate of 1/4% of the selling price of the tangible personal property within the territory, as "selling price" is defined in the Use Tax Act. The tax shall be collected from persons whose Illinois address for titling or registration purposes is given as being in the territory. The tax shall be collected by the Department of Revenue for a county water commission. The tax must be paid to the State, or an exemption determination must be obtained from the Department of Revenue, before the title or certificate of registration for the property may be issued. The tax or proof of exemption may be transmitted to the Department by way of the State agency with which, or the State officer with whom, the tangible personal property must be titled or registered if the Department and the State agency or State officer determine that this procedure will expedite the processing of applications for title or registration.

The Department shall have full power to administer and enforce this paragraph; to collect all taxes, penalties, and interest due hereunder; to dispose of taxes, penalties, and interest so collected in the manner hereinafter provided; and to determine all rights to credit memoranda or refunds arising on account of the erroneous payment of tax, penalty, or interest hereunder. In the administration of and compliance with this paragraph, the Department and persons who are subject to this paragraph shall have the same rights, remedies, privileges, immunities, powers, and duties, and be subject to the same conditions, restrictions, limitations, penalties, exclusions, exemptions, and definitions of terms and employ the same modes of procedure, as are prescribed in Sections 2 (except the definition of "retailer maintaining a place of business in this State"), 3 through 3-80 (except provisions pertaining to the State rate of tax, and except provisions concerning collection or refunding of the tax by retailers), 4, 11, 12, 12a, 14, 15, 19 (except the portions pertaining to claims by retailers and except the last paragraph concerning refunds), 20, 21, and 22 of the Use Tax Act and Section 3-7 of the Uniform Penalty and Interest Act that are not inconsistent with this paragraph, as fully as if those provisions were set forth herein.

Whenever the Department determines that a refund should be made under this paragraph to a claimant instead of issuing a credit memorandum, the Department shall notify the State Comptroller, who shall cause the order to be drawn for the amount specified, and to the person named, in the notification from the Department. The refund shall be paid by the State Treasurer out of a county water commission tax fund established under subsection (g) of this Section.

(e) A certificate of registration issued by the State Department of Revenue to a retailer under the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act or under the Service Occupation Tax Act shall permit the registrant to engage in a business that is taxed under the tax imposed under subsection (b), (c), or (d) of this Section and no additional registration shall be required under the tax. A certificate issued under the Use Tax Act or the Service Use Tax Act shall be applicable with regard to any tax imposed under subsection (c) of this Section.

(f) Any ordinance imposing or discontinuing any tax under this Section shall be adopted and a certified copy thereof filed with the Department on or before June 1, whereupon the Department of Revenue shall proceed to administer and enforce this Section on behalf of the county water commission as of September 1 next following the adoption and filing. Beginning January 1, 1992, an ordinance or resolution imposing or discontinuing the tax hereunder shall be adopted and a certified copy thereof filed with the Department on or before the first day of July, whereupon the Department shall proceed to administer and enforce this Section as of the first day of October next following such adoption and filing. Beginning January 1, 1993, an ordinance or resolution imposing or discontinuing the tax hereunder shall be adopted and a certified copy thereof filed with the Department on or before the first day of October, whereupon the Department shall proceed to administer and enforce this Section as of the first day of January next following such adoption and filing.

(g) The State Department of Revenue shall, upon collecting any taxes as provided in this Section, pay the taxes over to the State Treasurer as trustee for the commission. The taxes shall be held in a trust fund outside the State treasury Treasury.

As soon as possible after the first day of each month, beginning January 1, 2011, upon certification of the Department of Revenue, the Comptroller shall order transferred, and the Treasurer shall transfer, to the STAR Bonds Revenue Fund the local sales tax increment, as defined in the Innovation Development and Economy Act, collected under this Section during the second preceding calendar month for sales within a STAR bond district.

After the monthly transfer to the STAR Bonds Revenue Fund, on or before the 25th day of each calendar month, the State Department of Revenue shall prepare and certify to the Comptroller of the State of Illinois the amount to be paid to the commission, which shall be the amount (not including credit memoranda) collected under this Section during the second preceding calendar month by the Department plus an amount the Department determines is necessary to offset any amounts that were erroneously paid to a different taxing body, and not including any amount equal to the amount of refunds made during the second preceding calendar month by the Department on behalf of the commission, and not including any amount that the Department determines is necessary to offset any amounts that were payable to a different taxing body but were erroneously paid to the commission, and less any amounts that are transferred to the STAR Bonds Revenue Fund, less 1.5% of the remainder, which shall be transferred into the Tax Compliance and Administration Fund. The Department, at the time of each monthly disbursement to the commission, shall prepare and certify to the State Comptroller the amount to be transferred into the Tax Compliance and Administration Fund under this subsection. Within 10 days after receipt by the Comptroller of the certification of the amount to be paid to the commission and the Tax Compliance and Administration Fund, the Comptroller shall cause an order to be drawn for the payment for the amount in accordance with the direction in the certification.

(h) Beginning June 1, 2016, any tax imposed pursuant to this Section may no longer be imposed or collected, unless a continuation of the tax is approved by the voters at a referendum as set forth in this Section.

(Source: P.A. 100-23, eff. 7-6-17; 100-587, eff. 6-4-18; 100-863, eff. 8-14-18; 100-1171, eff. 1-4-19; 101-10, eff. 6-5-19; 101-81, eff. 7-12-19; 101-604, eff. 12-13-19.)

Section 8.36. The School Code is amended by changing Sections 29-5 and 34-4 as follows:

(105 ILCS 5/29-5) (from Ch. 122, par. 29-5)

Sec. 29-5. Reimbursement by State for transportation. Any school district, maintaining a school, transporting resident pupils to another school district's vocational program, offered through a joint agreement approved by the State Board of Education, as provided in Section 10-22.22 or transporting its resident pupils to a school which meets the standards for recognition as established by the State Board of Education which provides transportation meeting the standards of safety, comfort, convenience, efficiency and operation prescribed by the State Board of Education for resident pupils in kindergarten or any of grades 1 through 12 who: (a) reside at least 1 1/2 miles as measured by the customary route of travel, from the school attended; or (b) reside in areas where conditions are such that walking constitutes a hazard to the safety of the child when determined under Section 29-3; and (c) are transported to the school attended from pick-up points at the beginning of the school day and back again at the close of the school day or transported to and from their assigned attendance centers during the school day, shall be reimbursed by the State as hereinafter provided in this Section.

The State will pay the prorated allowable cost of transporting eligible pupils less the real equalized assessed valuation as computed under paragraph (3) of subsection (d) of Section 18-8.15 in a dual school district maintaining secondary grades 9 to 12 inclusive times a qualifying rate of .05%; in elementary school districts maintaining grades K to 8 times a qualifying rate of .06%; and in unit districts maintaining grades K to 12, including partial elementary unit districts formed pursuant to Article 11E, times a qualifying rate of .07%. To be eligible to receive reimbursement in excess of 4/5 of the cost to transport eligible pupils, a school district or partial elementary unit district formed pursuant to Article 11E shall have a Transportation Fund tax rate of at least .12%. The Transportation Fund tax rate for a partial elementary unit district formed pursuant Article 11E shall be the combined elementary and high school rates pursuant to paragraph (4) of subsection (a) of Section 18-8.15. If a school district or partial elementary unit district formed pursuant to Article 11E does not have a .12% Transportation Fund tax rate, the amount of its claim in excess of 4/5 of the cost of transporting pupils shall be reduced by the sum arrived at by subtracting the Transportation Fund tax rate from .12% and multiplying that amount by the district's real equalized assessed valuation as computed under paragraph (3) of subsection (d) of Section 18-8.15, provided that in no case shall said reduction result in reimbursement of less than 4/5 of the cost to transport eligible pupils.

The minimum amount to be received by a district is $16 times the number of eligible pupils transported.

When calculating the reimbursement for transportation costs, the State Board of Education may not deduct the number of pupils enrolled in early education programs from the number of pupils eligible for reimbursement if the pupils enrolled in the early education programs are transported at the same time as other eligible pupils.

Any such district transporting resident pupils during the school day to an area vocational school or another school district's vocational program more than 1 1/2 miles from the school attended, as provided in Sections 10-22.20a and 10-22.22, shall be reimbursed by the State for 4/5 of the cost of transporting eligible pupils.

School day means that period of time during which the pupil is required to be in attendance for instructional purposes.

If a pupil is at a location within the school district other than his residence for child care purposes at the time for transportation to school, that location may be considered for purposes of determining the 1 1/2 miles from the school attended.

Claims for reimbursement that include children who attend any school other than a public school shall show the number of such children transported.

Claims for reimbursement under this Section shall not be paid for the transportation of pupils for whom transportation costs are claimed for payment under other Sections of this Act.

The allowable direct cost of transporting pupils for regular, vocational, and special education pupil transportation shall be limited to the sum of the cost of physical examinations required for employment as a school bus driver; the salaries of full-time or part-time drivers and school bus maintenance personnel; employee benefits excluding Illinois municipal retirement payments, social security payments, unemployment insurance payments and workers' compensation insurance premiums; expenditures to independent carriers who operate school buses; payments to other school districts for pupil transportation services; pre-approved contractual expenditures for computerized bus scheduling; expenditures for housing assistance and homeless prevention under Sections 1-17 and 1-18 of the Education for Homeless Children Act that are not in excess of the school district's actual costs for providing transportation services and are not otherwise claimed in another State or federal grant that permits those costs to a parent, a legal guardian, any other person who enrolled a pupil, or a homeless assistance agency that is part of the federal McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act's continuum of care for the area in which the district is located; the cost of gasoline, oil, tires, and other supplies necessary for the operation of school buses; the cost of converting buses' gasoline engines to more fuel efficient engines or to engines which use alternative energy sources; the cost of travel to meetings and workshops conducted by the regional superintendent or the State Superintendent of Education pursuant to the standards established by the Secretary of State under Section 6-106 of the Illinois Vehicle Code to improve the driving skills of school bus drivers; the cost of maintenance of school buses including parts and materials used; expenditures for leasing transportation vehicles, except interest and service charges; the cost of insurance and licenses for transportation vehicles; expenditures for the rental of transportation equipment; plus a depreciation allowance of 20% for 5 years for school buses and vehicles approved for transporting pupils to and from school and a depreciation allowance of 10% for 10 years for other transportation equipment so used. Each school year, if a school district has made expenditures to the Metropolitan Mobility Authority Regional Transportation Authority or any of its service boards, a mass transit district, or an urban transportation district under an intergovernmental agreement with the district to provide for the transportation of pupils and if the public transit carrier received direct payment for services or passes from a school district within its service area during the 2000-2001 school year, then the allowable direct cost of transporting pupils for regular, vocational, and special education pupil transportation shall also include the expenditures that the district has made to the public transit carrier. In addition to the above allowable costs, school districts shall also claim all transportation supervisory salary costs, including Illinois municipal retirement payments, and all transportation related building and building maintenance costs without limitation.

Special education allowable costs shall also include expenditures for the salaries of attendants or aides for that portion of the time they assist special education pupils while in transit and expenditures for parents and public carriers for transporting special education pupils when pre-approved by the State Superintendent of Education.

Indirect costs shall be included in the reimbursement claim for districts which own and operate their own school buses. Such indirect costs shall include administrative costs, or any costs attributable to transporting pupils from their attendance centers to another school building for instructional purposes. No school district which owns and operates its own school buses may claim reimbursement for indirect costs which exceed 5% of the total allowable direct costs for pupil transportation.

The State Board of Education shall prescribe uniform regulations for determining the above standards and shall prescribe forms of cost accounting and standards of determining reasonable depreciation. Such depreciation shall include the cost of equipping school buses with the safety features required by law or by the rules, regulations and standards promulgated by the State Board of Education, and the Department of Transportation for the safety and construction of school buses provided, however, any equipment cost reimbursed by the Department of Transportation for equipping school buses with such safety equipment shall be deducted from the allowable cost in the computation of reimbursement under this Section in the same percentage as the cost of the equipment is depreciated.

On or before August 15, annually, the chief school administrator for the district shall certify to the State Superintendent of Education the district's claim for reimbursement for the school year ending on June 30 next preceding. The State Superintendent of Education shall check and approve the claims and prepare the vouchers showing the amounts due for district reimbursement claims. Each fiscal year, the State Superintendent of Education shall prepare and transmit the first 3 vouchers to the Comptroller on the 30th day of September, December and March, respectively, and the final voucher, no later than June 20.

If the amount appropriated for transportation reimbursement is insufficient to fund total claims for any fiscal year, the State Board of Education shall reduce each school district's allowable costs and flat grant amount proportionately to make total adjusted claims equal the total amount appropriated.

For purposes of calculating claims for reimbursement under this Section for any school year beginning July 1, 2016, the equalized assessed valuation for a school district or partial elementary unit district formed pursuant to Article 11E used to compute reimbursement shall be the real equalized assessed valuation as computed under paragraph (3) of subsection (d) of Section 18-8.15.

All reimbursements received from the State shall be deposited into the district's transportation fund or into the fund from which the allowable expenditures were made.

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, any school district receiving a payment under this Section or under Section 14-7.02, 14-7.02b, or 14-13.01 of this Code may classify all or a portion of the funds that it receives in a particular fiscal year or from State aid pursuant to Section 18-8.15 of this Code as funds received in connection with any funding program for which it is entitled to receive funds from the State in that fiscal year (including, without limitation, any funding program referenced in this Section), regardless of the source or timing of the receipt. The district may not classify more funds as funds received in connection with the funding program than the district is entitled to receive in that fiscal year for that program. Any classification by a district must be made by a resolution of its board of education. The resolution must identify the amount of any payments or general State aid to be classified under this paragraph and must specify the funding program to which the funds are to be treated as received in connection therewith. This resolution is controlling as to the classification of funds referenced therein. A certified copy of the resolution must be sent to the State Superintendent of Education. The resolution shall still take effect even though a copy of the resolution has not been sent to the State Superintendent of Education in a timely manner. No classification under this paragraph by a district shall affect the total amount or timing of money the district is entitled to receive under this Code. No classification under this paragraph by a district shall in any way relieve the district from or affect any requirements that otherwise would apply with respect to that funding program, including any accounting of funds by source, reporting expenditures by original source and purpose, reporting requirements, or requirements of providing services.

Any school district with a population of not more than 500,000 must deposit all funds received under this Article into the transportation fund and use those funds for the provision of transportation services.

(Source: P.A. 102-539, eff. 8-20-21; 102-813, eff. 5-13-22.)

(105 ILCS 5/34-4) (from Ch. 122, par. 34-4)

Sec. 34-4. Eligibility. To be eligible for election or appointment to the Board, a person shall be a citizen of the United States, shall be a registered voter as provided in the Election Code, shall have been, for a period of one year immediately before election or appointment, a resident of the city, district, and subdistrict that the member represents, and shall not be a child sex offender as defined in Section 11-9.3 of the Criminal Code of 2012. A person is ineligible for election or appointment to the Board if that person is not in compliance with the provisions of Section 10-9 as referenced in Section 34-3. For the 2024 general election, all persons eligible for election to the Board shall be nominated by a petition signed by at least 1,000 but not more than 3,000 of the voters residing within the electoral district on a petition in order to be placed on the ballot. For the 2026 general election and general elections thereafter, persons eligible for election to the Board shall be nominated by a petition signed by at least 500 but no more than 1,500 voters residing within the subdistrict on a petition in order to be placed on the ballot, except that persons eligible for election to the Board at large shall be nominated by a petition signed by no less than 2,500 voters residing within the city. Any registered voter may sign a nominating petition, irrespective of any partisan petition the voter signs or may sign. For the 2024 general election only, the petition circulation period shall begin on March 26, 2024, and the filing period shall be from June 17, 2024 to June 24, 2024. Permanent removal from the city by any member of the Board during the member's term of office constitutes a resignation therefrom and creates a vacancy in the Board. Board members shall serve without any compensation; however, members of the Board shall be reimbursed for expenses incurred while in the performance of their duties upon submission of proper receipts or upon submission of a signed voucher in the case of an expense allowance evidencing the amount of such reimbursement or allowance to the President of the Board for verification and approval. Board members shall not hold other public office under the Federal, State or any local government other than that of Director of the Metropolitan Mobility Regional Transportation Authority, member of the economic development commission of a city having a population exceeding 500,000, notary public or member of the National Guard, and by accepting any such office while members of the Board, or by not resigning any such office held at the time of being elected or appointed to the Board within 30 days after such election or appointment, shall be deemed to have vacated their membership in the Board.

(Source: P.A. 102-177, eff. 6-1-22; 102-691, eff. 12-17-21; 103-584, eff. 3-18-24.)

Section 8.37. The Public Utilities Act is amended by changing Section 4-302 as follows:

(220 ILCS 5/4-302) (from Ch. 111 2/3, par. 4-302)

Sec. 4-302. The Commission shall cooperate with the Metropolitan Mobility Regional Transportation Authority created pursuant to the Metropolitan Mobility "Regional Transportation Authority Act", enacted by the 78th General Assembly, in the exercise of the powers of the Authority as provided in that Act.

Transportation agencies Agencies which have any purchase of service agreement with the Authority a Service Board as provided in the Metropolitan Mobility "Regional Transportation Authority Act" shall not be subject to this Act as to any public transportation which is the subject of such agreement. Any service and business exempted from this Act pursuant to this Section shall not be considered "intrastate public utility business" as defined in Section 3-120 of this Act.

No contract between any transportation agency Transportation Agency and the Authority or a Service Board or acquisition by the Authority or a Service Board of any property, including property of a transportation agency Transportation Agency pursuant to and as defined in the Metropolitan Mobility Regional Transportation Authority Act, shall, except as provided in such Act, be subject to the supervision, regulation or approval of the Commission.

If the Metropolitan Mobility Authority determines In the event a Service Board shall determine that any Public Transportation service provided by any transportation agency Transportation Agency with which that Authority Service Board has a purchase of service agreement Purchase of Service Agreement is not necessary for the public interest and shall for that reason decline to enter into any Purchase of Service Agreement for such particular service, all pursuant to and as defined in such Metropolitan Mobility Regional Transportation Authority Act, then the discontinuation of such service by such transportation agency Transportation Agency shall not be subject to the supervision, regulation or approval of the Commission.

(Source: P.A. 84-617; 84-1025.)

Section 8.38. The Telecommunication Devices for the Deaf Act is amended by changing Section 2 as follows:

(410 ILCS 55/2) (from Ch. 111 1/2, par. 4202)

Sec. 2. As used in this Act, unless the context otherwise requires:

(a) "Telecommunication device for the deaf" means a teletypewriter or other instrument for telecommunication in which speaking or hearing is not required for communication.

(b) "Public Safety Agency" means any unit of local government or special purpose district within the State which has authority to provide firefighting, police, or other emergency services.

(c) "Department" means the Department of Human Services.

(d) "Major public transportation site" means any airport or railroad station in the State providing commercial rail or airline service to the general public, that serves and is located within 20 miles of a municipality with a population of 25,000 or more, except for any facility under the jurisdiction of the Metropolitan Mobility Authority Commuter Rail Division created by the Regional Transportation Authority Act or the Chicago Transit Authority created by the Metropolitan Transit Authority Act.

(e) "General traveling public" are individuals making use of the commercial rail and airline services which are provided at major public transportation sites.

(Source: P.A. 89-507, eff. 7-1-97.)

Section 8.39. The Illinois Highway Code is amended by changing Sections 5-701.8, 6-411.5, and 7-202.14 as follows:

(605 ILCS 5/5-701.8) (from Ch. 121, par. 5-701.8)

Sec. 5-701.8. Any county board may also turn over a portion of the motor fuel tax funds allotted to it to:

(a) a local Mass Transit District if the county created such District pursuant to the "Local Mass Transit District Act", approved July 21, 1959, as now or hereafter amended;

(b) a local Transit Commission if such commission is created pursuant to Section 14-101 of The Public Utilities Act; or

(c) the Metropolitan Mobility Chicago Transit Authority established pursuant to the Metropolitan Mobility "Metropolitan Transit Authority Act", approved April 12, 1945, as now or hereafter amended.

(Source: P.A. 85-1209.)

(605 ILCS 5/6-411.5)

Sec. 6-411.5. Contracts for public transportation. The highway commissioner of each road district within the territory of the Metropolitan Mobility Regional Transportation Authority shall have authority, with the approval of the township board of trustees, to contract with the Metropolitan Mobility Regional Transportation Authority or a Service Board, as defined in the Regional Transportation Authority Act, for the purchase of public transportation services within the district, upon such terms and conditions as may be mutually agreed upon. The expenditure of road funds, collected under a road district tax, to purchase public transportation services constitutes a road purpose under this Code.

(Source: P.A. 89-347, eff. 1-1-96.)

(605 ILCS 5/7-202.14) (from Ch. 121, par. 7-202.14)

Sec. 7-202.14. Any municipality may by ordinance of the corporate authorities turn over a portion of its allotment to:

(a) a local Mass Transit District if the municipality created such a District pursuant to the "Local Mass Transit District Act", approved July 21, 1959, as now or hereafter amended;

(b) a local Transit Commission if the municipality established such commission pursuant to Section 14-101 of The Public Utilities Act; or

(c) the Metropolitan Mobility Chicago Transit Authority established pursuant to the Metropolitan Mobility "Metropolitan Transit Authority Act", approved April 12, 1945, as now or hereafter amended.

(Source: P.A. 85-1209.)

Section 8.40. The Toll Highway Act is amended by changing Sections 3 and 19 as follows:

(605 ILCS 10/3) (from Ch. 121, par. 100-3)

Sec. 3. There is hereby created an Authority to be known as The Illinois State Toll Highway Authority, which is hereby constituted an instrumentality and an administrative agency of the State of Illinois. The said Authority shall consist of the following 11 directors: ; the Governor, and the Secretary of the Department of Transportation, and the Chair of the Metropolitan Mobility Authority as nonvoting directors ex officio, and 9 voting directors appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate, from the State at large, which said directors and their successors are hereby authorized to carry out the provisions of this Act, and to exercise the powers herein conferred. Of the 9 directors appointed by the Governor, no more than 5 shall be members of the same political party.

Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, the term of office of each director of the Authority serving on the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 100th General Assembly, other than the Governor and the Secretary of the Department of Transportation, is abolished and a vacancy in each office is created on the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 100th General Assembly. The Governor shall appoint directors to the Authority for the vacancies created under this amendatory Act of the 100th General Assembly by February 28, 2019. Directors whose terms are abolished under this amendatory Act of the 100th General Assembly shall be eligible for reappointment.

Vacancies shall be filled for the unexpired term in the same manner as original appointments. All appointments shall be in writing and filed with the Secretary of State as a public record. It is the intention of this section that the Governor's appointments shall be made with due consideration to the location of proposed toll highway routes so that maximum geographic representation from the areas served by said toll highway routes may be accomplished insofar as practicable. The said Authority shall have the power to contract and be contracted with, to acquire, hold and convey personal and real property or any interest therein including rights-of-way rights of way, franchises and easements; to have and use a common seal, and to alter the same at will; to make and establish resolutions, by-laws, rules, rates and regulations, and to alter or repeal the same as the Authority shall deem necessary and expedient for the construction, operation, relocation, regulation and maintenance of a system of toll highways within and through the State of Illinois.

Appointment of the additional directors provided for by this amendatory Act of 1980 shall be made within 30 days after the effective date of this amendatory Act of 1980.

(Source: P.A. 100-1180, eff. 2-28-19.)

(605 ILCS 10/19) (from Ch. 121, par. 100-19)

Sec. 19. Toll rates. The Authority shall fix and revise from time to time, tolls or charges or rates for the privilege of using each of the toll highways constructed pursuant to this Act. Such tolls shall be so fixed and adjusted at rates calculated to provide the lowest reasonable toll rates that will provide funds sufficient with other revenues of the Authority to pay, (a) the cost of the construction of a toll highway authorized by joint resolution of the General Assembly pursuant to Section 14.1 and the reconstruction, major repairs or improvements of toll highways, (b) the cost of maintaining, repairing, regulating and operating the toll highways including only the necessary expenses of the Authority, and (c) the principal of all bonds, interest thereon and all sinking fund requirements and other requirements provided by resolutions authorizing the issuance of the bonds as they shall become due. In fixing the toll rates pursuant to this Section 19 and Section 10(c) of this Act, the Authority shall take into account the effect of the provisions of this Section 19 permitting the use of the toll highway system without payment of the covenants of the Authority contained in the resolutions and trust indentures authorizing the issuance of bonds of the Authority. No such provision permitting the use of the toll highway system without payment of tolls after the date of this amendatory Act of the 95th General Assembly shall be applied in a manner that impairs the rights of bondholders pursuant to any resolution or trust indentures authorizing the issuance of bonds of the Authority. The use and disposition of any sinking or reserve fund shall be subject to such regulation as may be provided in the resolution or trust indenture authorizing the issuance of the bonds. Subject to the provisions of any resolution or trust indenture authorizing the issuance of bonds any moneys in any such sinking fund in excess of an amount equal to one year's interest on the bonds then outstanding secured by such sinking fund may be applied to the purchase or redemption of bonds. All such bonds so redeemed or purchased shall forthwith be cancelled and shall not again be issued. No person shall be permitted to use any toll highway without paying the toll established under this Section except when on official Toll Highway Authority business which includes police and other emergency vehicles. However, any law enforcement agency vehicle, fire department vehicle, public or private ambulance service vehicle engaged in the performance of an emergency service or duty that necessitates the use of the toll highway system, or other emergency vehicle that is plainly marked shall not be required to pay a toll to use a toll highway. A law enforcement, fire protection, or emergency services officer driving a law enforcement, fire protection, emergency services agency vehicle, or public or private ambulance service vehicle engaging in the performance of emergency services or duties that is not plainly marked must present an Official Permit Card which the law enforcement, fire protection, or emergency services officer receives from his or her law enforcement, fire protection, emergency services agency, or public or private ambulance service in order to use a toll highway without paying the toll. A law enforcement, fire protection, emergency services agency, or public or private ambulance service engaging in the performance of emergency services or duties must apply to the Authority to receive a permit, and the Authority shall adopt rules for the issuance of a permit, that allows public or private ambulance service vehicles engaged in the performance of emergency services or duties that necessitate the use of the toll highway system and all law enforcement, fire protection, or emergency services agency vehicles of the law enforcement, fire protection, or emergency services agency to use any toll highway without paying the toll established under this Section. The Authority shall maintain in its office a list of all persons that are authorized to use any toll highway without charge when on official business of the Authority and such list shall be open to the public for inspection. In recognition of the unique role of public transportation in providing effective transportation in the Authority's service region, and to give effect to the exemption set forth in subsection (b) of Section 4.06 2.06 of the Metropolitan Mobility Regional Transportation Authority Act, the following vehicles may use any toll highway without paying the toll: (1) a vehicle owned or operated by the Suburban Bus Division of the Metropolitan Mobility Regional Transportation Authority that is being used to transport passengers for hire; and (2) any revenue vehicle that is owned or operated by a Mass Transit District created under Section 3 of the Local Mass Transit District Act and running regular scheduled service.

Among other matters, this amendatory Act of 1990 is intended to clarify and confirm the prior intent of the General Assembly to allow toll revenues from the toll highway system to be used to pay a portion of the cost of the construction of the North-South Toll Highway authorized by Senate Joint Resolution 122 of the 83rd General Assembly in 1984.

(Source: P.A. 100-739, eff. 1-1-19.)

Section 8.41. The Illinois Aeronautics Act is amended by changing Section 49.1 as follows:

(620 ILCS 5/49.1) (from Ch. 15 1/2, par. 22.49a)

Sec. 49.1. Creation of hazards. No person may create or construct any airport hazard which obstructs a restricted landing area or residential airport that (1) serves 20 or more based aircraft, and (2) is located within the "metropolitan region" as that term is defined in the Metropolitan Mobility Regional Transportation Authority Act. For the purpose of this Section, "based aircraft" are aircraft that are regularly hangared or tied-down at the restricted landing area or residential airport, or that use it as their primary base of operation. As used in this Section 49.1, "restricted landing area" or "residential airport" shall have the meaning set forth in regulations of the Department in effect on the effective date of this amendatory Act of 1989, but shall not include amendments of the regulations adopted by the Department thereafter.

(Source: P.A. 86-963.)

Section 8.42. The Illinois Vehicle Code is amended by changing Sections 1-209.3, 8-102, 11-709.2, and 18c-7402 as follows:

(625 ILCS 5/1-209.3)

Sec. 1-209.3. Transit bus. A bus engaged in public transportation as defined by the Metropolitan Mobility Regional Transportation Authority Act and authorized by the Department to be used on specifically designated roadway shoulders.

(Source: P.A. 97-292, eff. 8-11-11.)

(625 ILCS 5/8-102) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 8-102)

Sec. 8-102. Alternate methods of giving proof.

(a) Except as provided in subsection (b), proof of financial responsibility, when required under Section 8-101 or 8-101.1, may be given by filing with the Secretary of State one of the following:

1. A bond as provided in Section 8-103;

2. An insurance policy or other proof of insurance in a form to be prescribed by the Secretary as provided in Section 8-108;

3. A certificate of self-insurance issued by the Director;

4. A certificate of self-insurance issued to the Metropolitan Mobility Regional Transportation Authority by the Director naming municipal or non-municipal public carriers included therein;

5. A certificate of coverage issued by an intergovernmental risk management association evidencing coverages which meet or exceed the amounts required under this Code.

(b) Beginning January 1, 2020, in lieu of filing the documents required by subsection (a), each owner of a vehicle required to obtain minimum liability insurance under Section 8-101 or 8-101.1 shall attest that the vehicle is insured in at least the minimum required amount.

(1) The Secretary shall create a form on which the vehicle owner shall attest that the vehicle is insured in at least the minimum required amount. The attestation form shall be submitted with each registration application.

(2) The attestation form shall be valid for the full registration period; however, if at any time the Secretary has reason to believe that the owner does not have the minimum required amount of insurance for a vehicle, the Secretary may require the owner to file with the Secretary documentation as set forth in subsection (a) of this Section.

(3) If the owner fails to provide the required documentation within 7 calendar days after the request is made, the Secretary may suspend the vehicle registration. The registration shall remain suspended until such time as the required documentation is provided to and reviewed by the Secretary.

(4) The owner of a vehicle that is self-insured shall attest that the funds available to pay liability claims related to the operation of the vehicle are equivalent to or greater than the minimum liability insurance requirements under Section 8-101 or 8-101.1.

(c) The Secretary of State may adopt rules to implement this Section.

(Source: P.A. 100-986, eff. 1-1-21.)

(625 ILCS 5/11-709.2)

Sec. 11-709.2. Bus on shoulder program.

(a) The use of specifically designated shoulders of roadways by transit buses may be authorized by the Department in cooperation with the Metropolitan Mobility Regional Transportation Authority and the Suburban Bus Division of the Regional Transportation Authority. The Department shall prescribe by rule which transit buses are authorized to operate on shoulders, as well as times and locations. The Department may erect signage to indicate times and locations of designated shoulder usage.

(b) (Blank).

(c) (Blank).

(Source: P.A. 98-756, eff. 7-16-14; 98-871, eff. 8-11-14; 99-78, eff. 7-20-15.)

(625 ILCS 5/18c-7402) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 18c-7402)

Sec. 18c-7402. Safety requirements for railroad operations.

(1) Obstruction of crossings.

(a) Obstruction of emergency vehicles. Every railroad shall be operated in such a manner as to minimize obstruction of emergency vehicles at crossings. Where such obstruction occurs and the train crew is aware of the obstruction, the train crew shall immediately take any action, consistent with safe operating procedure, necessary to remove the obstruction. In the Chicago and St. Louis switching districts, every railroad dispatcher or other person responsible for the movement of railroad equipment in a specific area who receives notification that railroad equipment is obstructing the movement of an emergency vehicle at any crossing within such area shall immediately notify the train crew through use of existing communication facilities. Upon notification, the train crew shall take immediate action in accordance with this paragraph.

(b) Obstruction of highway at-grade at grade crossing prohibited. It is unlawful for a rail carrier to permit any train, railroad car or engine to obstruct public travel at a railroad-highway grade crossing for a period in excess of 10 minutes, except where such train or railroad car is continuously moving or cannot be moved by reason of circumstances over which the rail carrier has no reasonable control.

In a county with a population of greater than 1,000,000, as determined by the most recent federal census, during the hours of 7:00 a.m. through 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. through 6:00 p.m. it is unlawful for a rail carrier to permit any single train or railroad car to obstruct public travel at a railroad-highway grade crossing in excess of a total of 10 minutes during a 30-minute 30 minute period, except where the train or railroad car cannot be moved by reason or circumstances over which the rail carrier has no reasonable control. Under no circumstances will a moving train be stopped for the purposes of issuing a citation related to this Section.

However, no employee acting under the rules or orders of the rail carrier or its supervisory personnel may be prosecuted for a violation of this subsection (b).

(c) Punishment for obstruction of grade crossing. Any rail carrier violating paragraph (b) of this subsection shall be guilty of a petty offense and fined not less than $200 nor more than $500 if the duration of the obstruction is in excess of 10 minutes but no longer than 15 minutes. If the duration of the obstruction exceeds 15 minutes the violation shall be a business offense and the following fines shall be imposed: if the duration of the obstruction is in excess of 15 minutes but no longer than 20 minutes, the fine shall be $500; if the duration of the obstruction is in excess of 20 minutes but no longer than 25 minutes, the fine shall be $700; if the duration of the obstruction is in excess of 25 minutes, but no longer than 30 minutes, the fine shall be $900; if the duration of the obstruction is in excess of 30 minutes but no longer than 35 minutes, the fine shall be $1,000; if the duration of the obstruction is in excess of 35 minutes, the fine shall be $1,000 plus an additional $500 for each 5 minutes of obstruction in excess of 25 minutes of obstruction.

(2) Other operational requirements.

(a) Bell and whistle-crossings. Every rail carrier shall cause a bell, and a whistle or horn to be placed and kept on each locomotive, and shall cause the same to be rung or sounded by the engineer or fireman, at the distance of at least 1,320 feet, from the place where the railroad crosses or intersects any public highway, and shall be kept ringing or sounding until the highway is reached; provided that at crossings where the Commission shall by order direct, only after a hearing has been held to determine the public is reasonably and sufficiently protected, the rail carrier may be excused from giving warning provided by this paragraph.

(a-5) The requirements of paragraph (a) of this subsection (2) regarding ringing a bell and sounding a whistle or horn do not apply at a railroad crossing that has a permanently installed automated audible warning device authorized by the Commission under Section 18c-7402.1 that sounds automatically when an approaching train is at least 1,320 feet from the crossing and that keeps sounding until the lead locomotive has crossed the highway. The engineer or fireman may ring the bell or sound the whistle or horn at a railroad crossing that has a permanently installed audible warning device.

(b) Speed limits. Each rail carrier shall operate its trains in compliance with speed limits set by the Commission. The Commission may set train speed limits only where such limits are necessitated by extraordinary circumstances affecting the public safety, and shall maintain such train speed limits in effect only for such time as the extraordinary circumstances prevail.

The Commission and the Department of Transportation shall conduct a study of the relation between train speeds and railroad-highway grade crossing safety. The Commission shall report the findings of the study to the General Assembly no later than January 5, 1997.

(c) Special speed limit; pilot project. The Commission and the Board of the Metropolitan Mobility Authority Commuter Rail Division of the Regional Transportation Authority shall conduct a pilot project in the Village of Fox River Grove, the site of the fatal school bus crash at a railroad crossing on October 25, 1995, in order to improve railroad crossing safety. For this project, the Commission is directed to set the maximum train speed limit for Metropolitan Mobility Regional Transportation Authority trains at 50 miles per hour at intersections on that portion of the intrastate rail line located in the Village of Fox River Grove. If the Metropolitan Mobility Regional Transportation Authority deliberately fails to comply with this maximum speed limit, then any entity, governmental or otherwise, that provides capital or operational funds to the Metropolitan Mobility Regional Transportation Authority shall appropriately reduce or eliminate that funding. The Commission shall report to the Governor and the General Assembly on the results of this pilot project in January 1999, January 2000, and January 2001. The Commission shall also submit a final report on the pilot project to the Governor and the General Assembly in January 2001. The provisions of this subsection (c), other than this sentence, are inoperative after February 1, 2001.

(d) Freight train crew size. No rail carrier shall operate or cause to operate a train or light engine used in connection with the movement of freight unless it has an operating crew consisting of at least 2 individuals. The minimum freight train crew size indicated in this subsection (d) shall remain in effect until a federal law or rule encompassing the subject matter has been adopted. The Commission, with respect to freight train crew member size under this subsection (d), has the power to conduct evidentiary hearings, make findings, and issue and enforce orders, including sanctions under Section 18c-1704 of this Chapter. As used in this subsection (d), "train or light engine" does not include trains operated by a hostler service or utility employees.

(3) Report and investigation of rail accidents.

(a) Reports. Every rail carrier shall report to the Commission, by the speediest means possible, whether telephone, telegraph, or otherwise, every accident involving its equipment, track, or other property which resulted in loss of life to any person. In addition, such carriers shall file a written report with the Commission. Reports submitted under this paragraph shall be strictly confidential, shall be specifically prohibited from disclosure, and shall not be admissible in any administrative or judicial proceeding relating to the accidents reported.

(b) Investigations. The Commission may investigate all railroad accidents reported to it or of which it acquires knowledge independent of reports made by rail carriers, and shall have the power, consistent with standards and procedures established under the Federal Railroad Safety Act, as amended, to enter such temporary orders as will minimize the risk of future accidents pending notice, hearing, and final action by the Commission.

(Source: P.A. 101-294, eff. 1-1-20; 102-982, eff. 7-1-23.)

Section 8.43. The Criminal Code of 2012 is amended by changing Section 21-5 as follows:

(720 ILCS 5/21-5) (from Ch. 38, par. 21-5)

Sec. 21-5. Criminal trespass to State supported land.

(a) A person commits criminal trespass to State supported land when he or she enters upon land supported in whole or in part with State funds, or federal funds administered or granted through State agencies or any building on the land, after receiving, prior to the entry, notice from the State or its representative that the entry is forbidden, or remains upon the land or in the building after receiving notice from the State or its representative to depart, and who thereby interferes with another person's lawful use or enjoyment of the building or land.

A person has received notice from the State within the meaning of this subsection if he or she has been notified personally, either orally or in writing, or if a printed or written notice forbidding entry to him or her or a group of which he or she is a part, has been conspicuously posted or exhibited at the main entrance to the land or the forbidden part thereof.

(a-5) A person commits criminal trespass to State supported land when he or she enters upon a right-of-way right of way, including facilities and improvements thereon, owned, leased, or otherwise used by a public body or district organized under the Metropolitan Transit Authority Act, the Local Mass Transit District Act, or the Metropolitan Mobility Regional Transportation Authority Act, after receiving, prior to the entry, notice from the public body or district, or its representative, that the entry is forbidden, or the person remains upon the right-of-way right of way after receiving notice from the public body or district, or its representative, to depart, and in either of these instances intends to compromise public safety by causing a delay in transit service lasting more than 15 minutes or destroying property.

A person has received notice from the public body or district within the meaning of this subsection if he or she has been notified personally, either orally or in writing, or if a printed or written notice forbidding entry to him or her has been conspicuously posted or exhibited at any point of entrance to the right-of-way right of way or the forbidden part of the right-of-way right of way.

As used in this subsection (a-5), "right-of-way right of way" has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 18c-7502 of the Illinois Vehicle Code.

(b) A person commits criminal trespass to State supported land when he or she enters upon land supported in whole or in part with State funds, or federal funds administered or granted through State agencies or any building on the land by presenting false documents or falsely representing his or her identity orally to the State or its representative in order to obtain permission from the State or its representative to enter the building or land; or remains upon the land or in the building by presenting false documents or falsely representing his or her identity orally to the State or its representative in order to remain upon the land or in the building, and who thereby interferes with another person's lawful use or enjoyment of the building or land.

This subsection does not apply to a peace officer or other official of a unit of government who enters upon land supported in whole or in part with State funds, or federal funds administered or granted through State agencies or any building on the land in the performance of his or her official duties.

(c) Sentence. Criminal trespass to State supported land is a Class A misdemeanor, except a violation of subsection (a-5) of this Section is a Class A misdemeanor for a first violation and a Class 4 felony for a second or subsequent violation.

(Source: P.A. 97-1108, eff. 1-1-13; 98-748, eff. 1-1-15.)

Section 8.44. The Eminent Domain Act is amended by changing Section 15-5-15 and adding Section 15-5-49 as follows:

(735 ILCS 30/15-5-15)

Sec. 15-5-15. Eminent domain powers in ILCS Chapters 70 through 75. The following provisions of law may include express grants of the power to acquire property by condemnation or eminent domain:

(70 ILCS 5/8.02 and 5/9); Airport Authorities Act; airport authorities; for public airport facilities. (70 ILCS 5/8.05 and 5/9); Airport Authorities Act; airport authorities; for removal of airport hazards. (70 ILCS 5/8.06 and 5/9); Airport Authorities Act; airport authorities; for reduction of the height of objects or structures. (70 ILCS 10/4); Interstate Airport Authorities Act; interstate airport authorities; for general purposes. (70 ILCS 15/3); Kankakee River Valley Area Airport Authority Act; Kankakee River Valley Area Airport Authority; for acquisition of land for airports. (70 ILCS 200/2-20); Civic Center Code; civic center authorities; for grounds, centers, buildings, and parking. (70 ILCS 200/5-35); Civic Center Code; Aledo Civic Center Authority; for grounds, centers, buildings, and parking. (70 ILCS 200/10-15); Civic Center Code; Aurora Metropolitan Exposition, Auditorium and Office Building Authority; for grounds, centers, buildings, and parking. (70 ILCS 200/15-40); Civic Center Code; Benton Civic Center Authority; for grounds, centers, buildings, and parking. (70 ILCS 200/20-15); Civic Center Code; Bloomington Civic Center Authority; for grounds, centers, buildings, and parking. (70 ILCS 200/35-35); Civic Center Code; Brownstown Park District Civic Center Authority; for grounds, centers, buildings, and parking. (70 ILCS 200/40-35); Civic Center Code; Carbondale Civic Center Authority; for grounds, centers, buildings, and parking. (70 ILCS 200/55-60); Civic Center Code; Chicago South Civic Center Authority; for grounds, centers, buildings, and parking. (70 ILCS 200/60-30); Civic Center Code; Collinsville Metropolitan Exposition, Auditorium and Office Building Authority; for grounds, centers, buildings, and parking. (70 ILCS 200/70-35); Civic Center Code; Crystal Lake Civic Center Authority; for grounds, centers, buildings, and parking. (70 ILCS 200/75-20); Civic Center Code; Decatur Metropolitan Exposition, Auditorium and Office Building Authority; for grounds, centers, buildings, and parking. (70 ILCS 200/80-15); Civic Center Code; DuPage County Metropolitan Exposition, Auditorium and Office Building Authority; for grounds, centers, buildings, and parking. (70 ILCS 200/85-35); Civic Center Code; Elgin Metropolitan Exposition, Auditorium and Office Building Authority; for grounds, centers, buildings, and parking. (70 ILCS 200/95-25); Civic Center Code; Herrin Metropolitan Exposition, Auditorium and Office Building Authority; for grounds, centers, buildings, and parking. (70 ILCS 200/110-35); Civic Center Code; Illinois Valley Civic Center Authority; for grounds, centers, buildings, and parking. (70 ILCS 200/115-35); Civic Center Code; Jasper County Civic Center Authority; for grounds, centers, buildings, and parking. (70 ILCS 200/120-25); Civic Center Code; Jefferson County Metropolitan Exposition, Auditorium and Office Building Authority; for grounds, centers, buildings, and parking. (70 ILCS 200/125-15); Civic Center Code; Jo Daviess County Civic Center Authority; for grounds, centers, buildings, and parking. (70 ILCS 200/130-30); Civic Center Code; Katherine Dunham Metropolitan Exposition, Auditorium and Office Building Authority; for grounds, centers, buildings, and parking. (70 ILCS 200/145-35); Civic Center Code; Marengo Civic Center Authority; for grounds, centers, buildings, and parking. (70 ILCS 200/150-35); Civic Center Code; Mason County Civic Center Authority; for grounds, centers, buildings, and parking. (70 ILCS 200/155-15); Civic Center Code; Matteson Metropolitan Civic Center Authority; for grounds, centers, buildings, and parking. (70 ILCS 200/160-35); Civic Center Code; Maywood Civic Center Authority; for grounds, centers, buildings, and parking. (70 ILCS 200/165-35); Civic Center Code; Melrose Park Metropolitan Exposition Auditorium and Office Building Authority; for grounds, centers, buildings, and parking. (70 ILCS 200/170-20); Civic Center Code; certain Metropolitan Exposition, Auditorium and Office Building Authorities; for general purposes. (70 ILCS 200/180-35); Civic Center Code; Normal Civic Center Authority; for grounds, centers, buildings, and parking. (70 ILCS 200/185-15); Civic Center Code; Oak Park Civic Center Authority; for grounds, centers, buildings, and parking. (70 ILCS 200/195-35); Civic Center Code; Ottawa Civic Center Authority; for grounds, centers, buildings, and parking. (70 ILCS 200/200-15); Civic Center Code; Pekin Civic Center Authority; for grounds, centers, buildings, and parking. (70 ILCS 200/205-15); Civic Center Code; Peoria Civic Center Authority; for grounds, centers, buildings, and parking. (70 ILCS 200/210-35); Civic Center Code; Pontiac Civic Center Authority; for grounds, centers, buildings, and parking. (70 ILCS 200/215-15); Civic Center Code; Illinois Quad City Civic Center Authority; for grounds, centers, buildings, and parking. (70 ILCS 200/220-30); Civic Center Code; Quincy Metropolitan Exposition, Auditorium and Office Building Authority; for grounds, centers, buildings, and parking. (70 ILCS 200/225-35); Civic Center Code; Randolph County Civic Center Authority; for grounds, centers, buildings, and parking. (70 ILCS 200/230-35); Civic Center Code; River Forest Metropolitan Exposition, Auditorium and Office Building Authority; for grounds, centers, buildings, and parking. (70 ILCS 200/235-40); Civic Center Code; Riverside Civic Center Authority; for grounds, centers, buildings, and parking. (70 ILCS 200/245-35); Civic Center Code; Salem Civic Center Authority; for grounds, centers, buildings, and parking. (70 ILCS 200/255-20); Civic Center Code; Springfield Metropolitan Exposition and Auditorium Authority; for grounds, centers, and parking. (70 ILCS 200/260-35); Civic Center Code; Sterling Metropolitan Exposition, Auditorium and Office Building Authority; for grounds, centers, buildings, and parking. (70 ILCS 200/265-20); Civic Center Code; Vermilion County Metropolitan Exposition, Auditorium and Office Building Authority; for grounds, centers, buildings, and parking. (70 ILCS 200/270-35); Civic Center Code; Waukegan Civic Center Authority; for grounds, centers, buildings, and parking. (70 ILCS 200/275-35); Civic Center Code; West Frankfort Civic Center Authority; for grounds, centers, buildings, and parking. (70 ILCS 200/280-20); Civic Center Code; Will County Metropolitan Exposition and Auditorium Authority; for grounds, centers, and parking. (70 ILCS 210/5); Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority Act; Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority; for general purposes, including quick-take power. (70 ILCS 405/22.04); Soil and Water Conservation Districts Act; soil and water conservation districts; for general purposes. (70 ILCS 410/10 and 410/12); Conservation District Act; conservation districts; for open space, wildland, scenic roadway, pathway, outdoor recreation, or other conservation benefits. (70 ILCS 503/25); Chanute-Rantoul National Aviation Center Redevelopment Commission Act; Chanute-Rantoul National Aviation Center Redevelopment Commission; for general purposes. (70 ILCS 507/15); Fort Sheridan Redevelopment Commission Act; Fort Sheridan Redevelopment Commission; for general purposes or to carry out comprehensive or redevelopment plans. (70 ILCS 520/8); Southwestern Illinois Development Authority Act; Southwestern Illinois Development Authority; for general purposes, including quick-take power. (70 ILCS 605/4-17 and 605/5-7); Illinois Drainage Code; drainage districts; for general purposes. (70 ILCS 615/5 and 615/6); Chicago Drainage District Act; corporate authorities; for construction and maintenance of works. (70 ILCS 705/10); Fire Protection District Act; fire protection districts; for general purposes. (70 ILCS 750/20); Flood Prevention District Act; flood prevention districts; for general purposes. (70 ILCS 805/6); Downstate Forest Preserve District Act; certain forest preserve districts; for general purposes. (70 ILCS 805/18.8); Downstate Forest Preserve District Act; certain forest preserve districts; for recreational and cultural facilities. (70 ILCS 810/8); Cook County Forest Preserve District Act; Forest Preserve District of Cook County; for general purposes. (70 ILCS 810/38); Cook County Forest Preserve District Act; Forest Preserve District of Cook County; for recreational facilities. (70 ILCS 910/15 and 910/16); Hospital District Law; hospital districts; for hospitals or hospital facilities. (70 ILCS 915/3); Illinois Medical District Act; Illinois Medical District Commission; for general purposes. (70 ILCS 915/4.5); Illinois Medical District Act; Illinois Medical District Commission; quick-take power for the Illinois State Police Forensic Science Laboratory (obsolete). (70 ILCS 920/5); Tuberculosis Sanitarium District Act; tuberculosis sanitarium districts; for tuberculosis sanitariums. (70 ILCS 925/20); Mid-Illinois Medical District Act; Mid-Illinois Medical District; for general purposes. (70 ILCS 930/20); Mid-America Medical District Act; Mid-America Medical District Commission; for general purposes. (70 ILCS 935/20); Roseland Community Medical District Act; medical district; for general purposes. (70 ILCS 1005/7); Mosquito Abatement District Act; mosquito abatement districts; for general purposes. (70 ILCS 1105/8); Museum District Act; museum districts; for general purposes. (70 ILCS 1205/7-1); Park District Code; park districts; for streets and other purposes. (70 ILCS 1205/8-1); Park District Code; park districts; for parks. (70 ILCS 1205/9-2 and 1205/9-4); Park District Code; park districts; for airports and landing fields. (70 ILCS 1205/11-2 and 1205/11-3); Park District Code; park districts; for State land abutting public water and certain access rights. (70 ILCS 1205/11.1-3); Park District Code; park districts; for harbors. (70 ILCS 1225/2); Park Commissioners Land Condemnation Act; park districts; for street widening. (70 ILCS 1230/1 and 1230/1-a); Park Commissioners Water Control Act; park districts; for parks, boulevards, driveways, parkways, viaducts, bridges, or tunnels. (70 ILCS 1250/2); Park Commissioners Street Control (1889) Act; park districts; for boulevards or driveways. (70 ILCS 1290/1); Park District Aquarium and Museum Act; municipalities or park districts; for aquariums or museums. (70 ILCS 1305/2); Park District Airport Zoning Act; park districts; for restriction of the height of structures. (70 ILCS 1310/5); Park District Elevated Highway Act; park districts; for elevated highways. (70 ILCS 1505/15); Chicago Park District Act; Chicago Park District; for parks and other purposes. (70 ILCS 1505/25.1); Chicago Park District Act; Chicago Park District; for parking lots or garages. (70 ILCS 1505/26.3); Chicago Park District Act; Chicago Park District; for harbors. (70 ILCS 1570/5); Lincoln Park Commissioners Land Condemnation Act; Lincoln Park Commissioners; for land and interests in land, including riparian rights. (70 ILCS 1801/30); Alexander-Cairo Port District Act; Alexander-Cairo Port District; for general purposes. (70 ILCS 1805/8); Havana Regional Port District Act; Havana Regional Port District; for general purposes. (70 ILCS 1810/7); Illinois International Port District Act; Illinois International Port District; for general purposes. (70 ILCS 1815/13); Illinois Valley Regional Port District Act; Illinois Valley Regional Port District; for general purposes. (70 ILCS 1820/4); Jackson-Union Counties Regional Port District Act; Jackson-Union Counties Regional Port District; for removal of airport hazards or reduction of the height of objects or structures. (70 ILCS 1820/5); Jackson-Union Counties Regional Port District Act; Jackson-Union Counties Regional Port District; for general purposes. (70 ILCS 1825/4.9); Joliet Regional Port District Act; Joliet Regional Port District; for removal of airport hazards. (70 ILCS 1825/4.10); Joliet Regional Port District Act; Joliet Regional Port District; for reduction of the height of objects or structures. (70 ILCS 1825/4.18); Joliet Regional Port District Act; Joliet Regional Port District; for removal of hazards from ports and terminals. (70 ILCS 1825/5); Joliet Regional Port District Act; Joliet Regional Port District; for general purposes. (70 ILCS 1830/7.1); Kaskaskia Regional Port District Act; Kaskaskia Regional Port District; for removal of hazards from ports and terminals. (70 ILCS 1830/14); Kaskaskia Regional Port District Act; Kaskaskia Regional Port District; for general purposes. (70 ILCS 1831/30); Massac-Metropolis Port District Act; Massac-Metropolis Port District; for general purposes. (70 ILCS 1835/5.10); Mt. Carmel Regional Port District Act; Mt. Carmel Regional Port District; for removal of airport hazards. (70 ILCS 1835/5.11); Mt. Carmel Regional Port District Act; Mt. Carmel Regional Port District; for reduction of the height of objects or structures. (70 ILCS 1835/6); Mt. Carmel Regional Port District Act; Mt. Carmel Regional Port District; for general purposes. (70 ILCS 1837/30); Ottawa Port District Act; Ottawa Port District; for general purposes. (70 ILCS 1845/4.9); Seneca Regional Port District Act; Seneca Regional Port District; for removal of airport hazards. (70 ILCS 1845/4.10); Seneca Regional Port District Act; Seneca Regional Port District; for reduction of the height of objects or structures. (70 ILCS 1845/5); Seneca Regional Port District Act; Seneca Regional Port District; for general purposes. (70 ILCS 1850/4); Shawneetown Regional Port District Act; Shawneetown Regional Port District; for removal of airport hazards or reduction of the height of objects or structures. (70 ILCS 1850/5); Shawneetown Regional Port District Act; Shawneetown Regional Port District; for general purposes. (70 ILCS 1855/4); Southwest Regional Port District Act; Southwest Regional Port District; for removal of airport hazards or reduction of the height of objects or structures. (70 ILCS 1855/5); Southwest Regional Port District Act; Southwest Regional Port District; for general purposes. (70 ILCS 1860/4); Tri-City Regional Port District Act; Tri-City Regional Port District; for removal of airport hazards. (70 ILCS 1860/5); Tri-City Regional Port District Act; Tri-City Regional Port District; for the development of facilities. (70 ILCS 1863/11); Upper Mississippi River International Port District Act; Upper Mississippi River International Port District; for general purposes. (70 ILCS 1865/4.9); Waukegan Port District Act; Waukegan Port District; for removal of airport hazards. (70 ILCS 1865/4.10); Waukegan Port District Act; Waukegan Port District; for restricting the height of objects or structures. (70 ILCS 1865/5); Waukegan Port District Act; Waukegan Port District; for the development of facilities. (70 ILCS 1870/8); White County Port District Act; White County Port District; for the development of facilities. (70 ILCS 1905/16); Railroad Terminal Authority Act; Railroad Terminal Authority (Chicago); for general purposes. (70 ILCS 1915/25); Grand Avenue Railroad Relocation Authority Act; Grand Avenue Railroad Relocation Authority; for general purposes, including quick-take power (now obsolete). (70 ILCS 1935/25); Elmwood Park Grade Separation Authority Act; Elmwood Park Grade Separation Authority; for general purposes. (70 ILCS 2105/9b); River Conservancy Districts Act; river conservancy districts; for general purposes. (70 ILCS 2105/10a); River Conservancy Districts Act; river conservancy districts; for corporate purposes. (70 ILCS 2205/15); Sanitary District Act of 1907; sanitary districts; for corporate purposes. (70 ILCS 2205/18); Sanitary District Act of 1907; sanitary districts; for improvements and works. (70 ILCS 2205/19); Sanitary District Act of 1907; sanitary districts; for access to property. (70 ILCS 2305/8); North Shore Water Reclamation District Act; North Shore Water Reclamation District; for corporate purposes. (70 ILCS 2305/15); North Shore Water Reclamation District Act; North Shore Water Reclamation District; for improvements. (70 ILCS 2405/7.9); Sanitary District Act of 1917; Sanitary District of Decatur; for carrying out agreements to sell, convey, or disburse treated wastewater to a private entity. (70 ILCS 2405/8); Sanitary District Act of 1917; sanitary districts; for corporate purposes. (70 ILCS 2405/15); Sanitary District Act of 1917; sanitary districts; for improvements. (70 ILCS 2405/16.9 and 2405/16.10); Sanitary District Act of 1917; sanitary districts; for waterworks. (70 ILCS 2405/17.2); Sanitary District Act of 1917; sanitary districts; for public sewer and water utility treatment works. (70 ILCS 2405/18); Sanitary District Act of 1917; sanitary districts; for dams or other structures to regulate water flow. (70 ILCS 2605/8); Metropolitan Water Reclamation District Act; Metropolitan Water Reclamation District; for corporate purposes. (70 ILCS 2605/16); Metropolitan Water Reclamation District Act; Metropolitan Water Reclamation District; quick-take power for improvements. (70 ILCS 2605/17); Metropolitan Water Reclamation District Act; Metropolitan Water Reclamation District; for bridges. (70 ILCS 2605/35); Metropolitan Water Reclamation District Act; Metropolitan Water Reclamation District; for widening and deepening a navigable stream. (70 ILCS 2805/10); Sanitary District Act of 1936; sanitary districts; for corporate purposes. (70 ILCS 2805/24); Sanitary District Act of 1936; sanitary districts; for improvements. (70 ILCS 2805/26i and 2805/26j); Sanitary District Act of 1936; sanitary districts; for drainage systems. (70 ILCS 2805/27); Sanitary District Act of 1936; sanitary districts; for dams or other structures to regulate water flow. (70 ILCS 2805/32k); Sanitary District Act of 1936; sanitary districts; for water supply. (70 ILCS 2805/32l); Sanitary District Act of 1936; sanitary districts; for waterworks. (70 ILCS 2905/2-7); Metro-East Sanitary District Act of 1974; Metro-East Sanitary District; for corporate purposes. (70 ILCS 2905/2-8); Metro-East Sanitary District Act of 1974; Metro-East Sanitary District; for access to property. (70 ILCS 3010/10); Sanitary District Revenue Bond Act; sanitary districts; for sewerage systems. (70 ILCS 3205/12); Illinois Sports Facilities Authority Act; Illinois Sports Facilities Authority; quick-take power for its corporate purposes (obsolete). (70 ILCS 3405/16); Surface Water Protection District Act; surface water protection districts; for corporate purposes. (70 ILCS 3605/7); Metropolitan Transit Authority Act; Chicago Transit Authority; for transportation systems. (70 ILCS 3605/8); Metropolitan Transit Authority Act; Chicago Transit Authority; for general purposes. (70 ILCS 3605/10); Metropolitan Transit Authority Act; Chicago Transit Authority; for general purposes, including railroad property. (70 ILCS 3610/3 and 3610/5); Local Mass Transit District Act; local mass transit districts; for general purposes. (70 ILCS 3615/2.13); Regional Transportation Authority Act; Regional Transportation Authority; for general purposes. (70 ILCS 3705/8 and 3705/12); Public Water District Act; public water districts; for waterworks. (70 ILCS 3705/23a); Public Water District Act; public water districts; for sewerage properties. (70 ILCS 3705/23e); Public Water District Act; public water districts; for combined waterworks and sewerage systems. (70 ILCS 3715/6); Water Authorities Act; water authorities; for facilities to ensure adequate water supply. (70 ILCS 3715/27); Water Authorities Act; water authorities; for access to property. (75 ILCS 5/4-7); Illinois Local Library Act; boards of library trustees; for library buildings. (75 ILCS 16/30-55.80); Public Library District Act of 1991; public library districts; for general purposes. (75 ILCS 65/1 and 65/3); Libraries in Parks Act; corporate authorities of city or park district, or board of park commissioners; for free public library buildings.

(Source: Incorporates 98-564, eff. 8-27-13; P.A. 98-756, eff. 7-16-14; 99-669, eff. 7-29-16.)

(735 ILCS 30/15-5-49 new)

Sec. 15-5-49. Eminent domain powers in new Acts. The following provisions of law may include express grants of the power to acquire property by condemnation or eminent domain: Metropolitan Mobility Authority Act; Metropolitan Mobility Authority; for general purposes.

Section 8.45. The Local Governmental and Governmental Employees Tort Immunity Act is amended by changing Section 2-101 as follows:

(745 ILCS 10/2-101) (from Ch. 85, par. 2-101)

Sec. 2-101. Nothing in this Act affects the right to obtain relief other than damages against a local public entity or public employee. Nothing in this Act affects the liability, if any, of a local public entity or public employee, based on:

a contract;

b operation as a common carrier; and this Act does not apply to any entity organized under or subject to the Metropolitan Mobility "Metropolitan Transit Authority Act", approved April 12, 1945, as amended;

c The "Workers' Compensation Act", approved July 9, 1951, as heretofore or hereafter amended;

d The "Workers' Occupational Diseases Act", approved July 9, 1951, as heretofore or hereafter amended;

e Section 1-4-7 of the "Illinois Municipal Code", approved May 29, 1961, as heretofore or hereafter amended.

f The "Illinois Uniform Conviction Information Act", enacted by the 85th General Assembly, as heretofore or hereafter amended.

(Source: P.A. 85-922.)

Section 8.46. The Illinois Wage Payment and Collection Act is amended by changing Section 9 as follows:

(820 ILCS 115/9) (from Ch. 48, par. 39m-9)

Sec. 9. Except as hereinafter provided, deductions by employers from wages or final compensation are prohibited unless such deductions are (1) required by law; (2) to the benefit of the employee; (3) in response to a valid wage assignment or wage deduction order; (4) made with the express written consent of the employee, given freely at the time the deduction is made; (5) made by a municipality with a population of 500,000 or more, a county with a population of 3,000,000 or more, a community college district in a city with a population of 500,000 or more, a housing authority in a municipality with a population of 500,000 or more, the Chicago Park District, the Metropolitan Mobility Metropolitan Transit Authority, the Chicago Board of Education, the Cook County Forest Preserve District, or the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District to pay a debt owed by the employee to a municipality with a population of 500,000 or more, a county with a population of 3,000,000 or more, the Cook County Forest Preserve, the Chicago Park District, the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District, the Chicago Transit Authority, the Chicago Board of Education, or a housing authority of a municipality with a population of 500,000 or more; provided, however, that the amount deducted from any one salary or wage payment shall not exceed 25% of the net amount of the payment; or (6) made by a housing authority in a municipality with a population of 500,000 or more or a municipality with a population of 500,000 or more to pay a debt owed by the employee to a housing authority in a municipality with a population of 500,000 or more; provided, however, that the amount deducted from any one salary or wage payment shall not exceed 25% of the net amount of the payment. Before the municipality with a population of 500,000 or more, the community college district in a city with a population of 500,000 or more, the Chicago Park District, the Metropolitan Mobility Metropolitan Transit Authority, a housing authority in a municipality with a population of 500,000 or more, the Chicago Board of Education, the county with a population of 3,000,000 or more, the Cook County Forest Preserve District, or the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District deducts any amount from any salary or wage of an employee to pay a debt owed to a municipality with a population of 500,000 or more, a county with a population of 3,000,000 or more, the Cook County Forest Preserve District, the Chicago Park District, the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District, the Chicago Transit Authority, the Chicago Board of Education, or a housing authority of a municipality with a population of 500,000 or more under this Section, the municipality, the county, the Cook County Forest Preserve District, the Chicago Park District, the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District, the Chicago Transit Authority, the Chicago Board of Education, or a housing authority of a municipality with a population of 500,000 or more shall certify that (i) the employee has been afforded an opportunity for a hearing to dispute the debt that is due and owing the municipality, the county, the Cook County Forest Preserve District, the Chicago Park District, the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District, the Chicago Transit Authority, the Chicago Board of Education, or a housing authority of a municipality with a population of 500,000 or more and (ii) the employee has received notice of a wage deduction order and has been afforded an opportunity for a hearing to object to the order. Before a housing authority in a municipality with a population of 500,000 or more or a municipality with a population of 500,000 or more, a county with a population of 3,000,000 or more, the Cook County Forest Preserve District, the Chicago Park District, the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District, the Chicago Transit Authority, the Chicago Board of Education, or a housing authority of a municipality with a population of 500,000 or more deducts any amount from any salary or wage of an employee to pay a debt owed to a housing authority in a municipality with a population of 500,000 or more under this Section, the housing authority shall certify that (i) the employee has been afforded an opportunity for a hearing to dispute the debt that is due and owing the housing authority and (ii) the employee has received notice of a wage deduction order and has been afforded an opportunity for a hearing to object to the order. For purposes of this Section, "net amount" means that part of the salary or wage payment remaining after the deduction of any amounts required by law to be deducted and "debt due and owing" means (i) a specified sum of money owed to the municipality, county, the Cook County Forest Preserve District, the Chicago Park District, the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District, the Chicago Transit Authority, the Chicago Board of Education, or housing authority for services, work, or goods, after the period granted for payment has expired, or (ii) a specified sum of money owed to the municipality, county, the Cook County Forest Preserve District, the Chicago Park District, the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District, the Chicago Transit Authority, the Chicago Board of Education or housing authority pursuant to a court order or order of an administrative hearing officer after the exhaustion of, or the failure to exhaust, judicial review; (7) the result of an excess payment made due to, but not limited to, a typographical or mathematical error made by a municipality with a population of less than 500,000 or to collect a debt owed to a municipality with a population of less than 500,000 after notice to the employee and an opportunity to be heard; provided, however, that the amount deducted from any one salary or wage payment shall not exceed 15% of the net amount of the payment. Before the municipality deducts any amount from any salary or wage of an employee to pay a debt owed to the municipality, the municipality shall certify that (i) the employee has been afforded an opportunity for a hearing, conducted by the municipality, to dispute the debt that is due and owing the municipality, and (ii) the employee has received notice of a wage deduction order and has been afforded an opportunity for a hearing, conducted by the municipality, to object to the order. For purposes of this Section, "net amount" means that part of the salary or wage payment remaining after the deduction of any amounts required by law to be deducted and "debt due and owing" means (i) a specified sum of money owed to the municipality for services, work, or goods, after the period granted for payment has expired, or (ii) a specified sum of money owed to the municipality pursuant to a court order or order of an administrative hearing officer after the exhaustion of, or the failure to exhaust, judicial review. Where the legitimacy of any deduction from wages is in dispute, the amount in question may be withheld if the employer notifies the Department of Labor on the date the payment is due in writing of the amount that is being withheld and stating the reasons for which the payment is withheld. Upon such notification the Department of Labor shall conduct an investigation and render a judgment as promptly as possible, and shall complete such investigation within 30 days of receipt of the notification by the employer that wages have been withheld. The employer shall pay the wages due upon order of the Department of Labor within 15 calendar days of issuance of a judgment on the dispute.

The Department shall establish rules to protect the interests of both parties in cases of disputed deductions from wages. Such rules shall include reasonable limitations on the amount of deductions beyond those required by law which may be made during any pay period by any employer.

In case of a dispute over wages, the employer shall pay, without condition and within the time set by this Act, all wages or parts thereof, conceded by him to be due, leaving to the employee all remedies to which he may otherwise be entitled as to any balance claimed. The acceptance by an employee of a disputed paycheck shall not constitute a release as to the balance of his claim and any release or restrictive endorsement required by an employer as a condition to payment shall be a violation of this Act and shall be void.

(Source: P.A. 97-120, eff. 1-1-12.)

Section 8.47. The Transportation Benefits Program Act is amended by changing Sections 5, 10, and 15 as follows:

(820 ILCS 63/5)

Sec. 5. Definitions. As used in this Act:

"Covered employee" means any person who performs an average of at least 35 hours of work per week for compensation on a full-time basis.

"Covered employer" means any individual, partnership, association, corporation, limited liability company, government, non-profit organization, or business trust that directly or indirectly, or through an agent or any other person, employs or exercises control over wages, hours, or working conditions of an employee, and that:

(1) is located in: Cook County; Warren Township in Lake County; Grant Township in Lake County; Frankfort Township in Will County; Wheatland Township in Will County; Addison Township; Bloomingdale Township; York Township; Milton Township; Winfield Township; Downers Grove Township; Lisle Township; Naperville Township; Dundee Township; Elgin Township; St. Charles Township; Geneva Township; Batavia Township; Aurora Township; Zion Township; Benton Township; Waukegan Township; Avon Township; Libertyville Township; Shields Township; Vernon Township; West Deerfield Township; Deerfield Township; McHenry Township; Nunda Township; Algonquin Township; DuPage Township; Homer Township; Lockport Township; Plainfield Township; New Lenox Township; Joliet Township; or Troy Township; and

(2) employs 50 or more covered employees in a geographic area specified in paragraph (1) at an address that is located within one mile of fixed-route transit service.

"Public transit" means any transportation system within the authority and jurisdiction of the Metropolitan Mobility Regional Transportation Authority.

"Transit pass" means any pass, token, fare card, voucher, or similar item entitling a person to transportation on public transit.

(Source: P.A. 103-291, eff. 1-1-24.)

(820 ILCS 63/10)

Sec. 10. Transportation benefits program. All covered employers shall provide a pre-tax commuter benefit to covered employees. The pre-tax commuter benefit shall allow employees to use pre-tax dollars for the purchase of a transit pass, via payroll deduction, such that the costs for such purchases may be excluded from the employee's taxable wages and compensation up to the maximum amount permitted by federal tax law, consistent with 26 U.S.C. 132(f) and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. A covered employer may comply with this Section by participating in a program offered by the Metropolitan Mobility Chicago Transit Authority or the Regional Transportation Authority.

This benefit must be offered to all employees starting on the employees' first full pay period after 120 days of employment. All transit agencies shall market the existence of this program and this Act to their riders in order to inform affected employees and their employers.

(Source: P.A. 103-291, eff. 1-1-24.)

(820 ILCS 63/15)

Sec. 15. Regional Transit Authority map. The Metropolitan Mobility Regional Transportation Authority shall make publicly available a searchable map of addresses that are located within one mile of fixed-route transit service.

(Source: P.A. 103-291, eff. 1-1-24.)

Section 8.48. No acceleration or delay. Where this Act makes changes in a statute that is represented in this Act by text that is not yet or no longer in effect (for example, a Section represented by multiple versions), the use of that text does not accelerate or delay the taking effect of (i) the changes made by this Act or (ii) provisions derived from any other Public Act.