(630 ILCS 5/5) Sec. 5. Public policy and legislative intent. (a) It is the public policy of the State of Illinois to promote the design, development, construction, financing, and operation of transportation facilities that serve the needs of the public. (b) Existing methods of procurement and financing of transportation facilities by responsible public entities impose limitations on the methods by which transportation facilities may be developed and operated within the State. (c) Authorizing responsible public entities to enter into public-private partnerships, whereby private entities may develop, operate, and finance transportation facilities, has the potential to promote the development of transportation facilities in the State as well as investment in the State. (d) It is the intent of this Act to promote public-private partnerships for transportation by authorizing responsible public entities to enter into public-private agreements related to the design, development, construction, operation, and financing of transportation facilities. (e) It is the intent of this Act to encourage the practice of congestion pricing in connection with toll highways, pursuant to which higher toll rates are charged during times or in locations of most congestion. (f) It is the intent of this Act to use Illinois design professionals, construction companies, and workers to the greatest extent possible by offering them the right to compete for this work. (Source: P.A. 103-570, eff. 1-1-24.) |