SB2692 93RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB093 20499 NHT 46290 b

93RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2003 and 2004
SB2692

Introduced 2/4/2004, by Steven J. Rauschenberger, Dave Syverson

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

20 ILCS 2705/2705-580 new
105 ILCS 5/10-20.39 new
105 ILCS 5/34-18.30 new

Amends the Department of Transportation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois and the School Code. Requires the Department of Transportation, in cooperation with the State Board of Education and the Department of State Police, to establish and administer a Safe Routes to School Construction Program for the construction of bicycle and pedestrian safety and traffic-calming projects using federal transportation funds, with construction grants being made available to local governmental agencies. Provides that a school board may not prohibit students from riding bicycles to or from school. Effective immediately.

FISCAL NOTE ACT MAY APPLY

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning school students.

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

Section 5. The Department of Transportation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois is amended by adding Section 2705-580 as follows:

(20 ILCS 2705/2705-580 new)

Sec. 2705-580. Safe Routes to School Construction Program.

(a) The Department, in cooperation with the State Board of Education and the Department of State Police, shall establish and administer a Safe Routes to School Construction Program for the construction of bicycle and pedestrian safety and traffic-calming projects using federal transportation funds.

(b) The Department shall make construction grants available to local governmental agencies under the Safe Routes to School Construction Program based on the results of a statewide competition that requires submission of Safe Routes to School proposals for funding and that rates those proposals on all of the following factors:

(1) Demonstrated needs of the grant applicant.

(2) Potential of the proposal for reducing child injuries and fatalities.

(3) Potential of the proposal for encouraging increased walking and bicycling among students.

(4) Identification of safety hazards.

(5) Identification of current and potential walking and bicycling routes to school.

(6) Consultation and support for projects by school-based associations, local traffic engineers, local elected officials, law enforcement agencies, and school officials.

With respect to the use of federal transportation funds, prior to the award of a construction grant or the use of those funds for a Safe Routes to School project encompassing a freeway, State highway, or county road, the Department shall consult with and obtain approval from the Department of State Police ensuring that the Safe Routes to School proposal is consistent with a statewide pedestrian safety statistical analysis.

(c) The State Board of Education, Department of Transportation, and Department of State Police may adopt any rules necessary to implement this Section.

Section 10. The School Code is amended by adding Sections 10-20.39 and 34-18.30 as follows:

(105 ILCS 5/10-20.39 new)

Sec. 10-20.39. No ban on bicycles. A school board may not prohibit students from riding bicycles to or from school.

(105 ILCS 5/34-18.30 new)

Sec. 34-18.30. No ban on bicycles. The board may not prohibit students from riding bicycles to or from school.

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon becoming law.