70 ILCS 3615/7.04

(70 ILCS 3615/7.04)

(This Section may contain text from a Public Act with a delayed effective date)

Sec. 7.04. Riders Advisory Council.

(a) There is established a Riders Advisory Council. The Board shall appoint at least 5 and not more than 15 members to the Riders Advisory Council.

(b) The purpose of the Riders Advisory Council is to advise the Board of the Authority on the impact of Authority policies, programs, and public transportation services on transit riders within the metropolitan region and to make recommendations for how to improve public transportation in the metropolitan region.

(c) The Board shall strive to assemble a Riders Advisory Council 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 of the region in a strong public transportation system.

(d) Members of the Riders Advisory Council shall be appointed to terms of 5 years, may be reappointed to serve multiple terms, and may continue to serve after expiration of their terms until their successors are appointed.

(e) The members of the Riders Advisory Council shall elect a Chair, who shall preside over meetings, which shall occur monthly or on such other schedule as is set by vote of the Riders Advisory Council, and shall establish meeting agendas in consultation with fellow Riders Advisory Council members and the Authority.

(f) Meetings of the Riders Advisory Council shall be held in compliance with the Open Meetings Act, and the public shall be given an opportunity to attend and comment on matters pertaining to the work of the Riders Advisory Council.

(g) The Authority shall designate one or more staff liaisons to provide technical support for the Riders Advisory Council and to facilitate direct communication between the Riders Advisory Council and those in the Authority responsible for delivering public transportation services.

(h) The Riders Advisory Council shall:

(1) review and comment on proposed Authority budgets, financial plans, capital programs, fare policies, and service standards;

(2) convey rider concerns pertaining to the quality, efficiency, safety, accessibility, and equity of public transportation services;

(3) assess the efficacy of Authority initiatives to protect the safety of riders on the public transportation system;

(4) prepare and convey recommendations to the Authority for how the Authority can improve the quality, efficiency, and equity of public transportation service in the metropolitan region;

(5) serve as a resource for connecting riders and rider advocacy organizations with those in the Authority responsible for delivering public transportation services;

(6) advocate for funding, policies, and laws that shall improve public transportation in the metropolitan region; and

(7) serve as a resource for Authority staff to discuss proposed changes to services, policies, and technologies affecting transit riders before those changes are Implemented.

(i) The Authority shall provide adequate technical support so the Riders Advisory Council can function effectively, provide regular briefing on service delivery issues and other topics of interest for transit riders, make staff responsible for delivery of public transportation services accessible to the Riders Advisory Council, give the Riders Advisory Council sufficient information and time to comment on proposed plans and policies, and take into account the comments and recommendations of the Riders Advisory Council before taking action on initiatives that impact public transit riders.

(j) Members of the Riders Advisory Council shall serve without compensation but shall be entitled to reimbursement of reasonable and necessary costs incurred in the performance of their duties.

(k) Riders Advisory Council members are subject to public transportation system usage requirements applicable to Directors.

(Source: P.A. 104-457, eff. 6-1-26.)