(70 ILCS 1930/5)
Sec. 5. Legislative declaration. The General Assembly declares that the
welfare, health, prosperity, and moral and general well-being of the people of
the State are, in large measure, dependent upon the sound and orderly
development of municipal areas. The Southwest Suburban area, by reason of the
location therein of vital roadways and their use for
vehicular travel in access to the entire southwest metropolitan Chicago area,
as well as commercial and industrial
growth patterns and accessibility to
manufacturing and freight-related facilities, has become and will
increasingly be the hub of
transportation from all parts of the region and throughout the southwest
metropolitan area. Motor vehicle traffic, pedestrian travel, and the safety of
both motorists and pedestrians are substantially aggravated by the location of
railroad
grade crossings. Additionally, certain development opportunities may
exist in the project area that would stabilize and enhance the tax base of
existing communities, maintain and revitalize existing commerce and industry,
and
promote comprehensive planning within and between communities. The presence of
the railroad grade crossings are
detrimental to the orderly expansion of industry and commerce and to progress
of the region. To alleviate this situation it is necessary to relocate the
railroad tracks, to separate the grades at
crossing, to acquire property for relocation or submergence of the railroad
or highways, to create an agency to facilitate and accomplish that
relocation, and to direct infrastructure and development improvements in the
Southwest Suburban area.
(Source: P.A. 95-122, eff. 8-13-07.) |