(45 ILCS 70/1) (from Ch. 114, par. 601)
Sec. 1.
(A) The Interstate High Speed Intercity Rail Passenger Network
Compact is hereby enacted into law and entered into with all other jurisdictions
legally joining therein in form substantially as follows:
Interstate High Speed Intercity
Rail Passenger Network Compact
Article I. POLICY AND PURPOSE
Because the beneficial service of and profitability of a high speed intercity
rail passenger system would be enhanced by establishing such a system which
would operate across state lines, it is the policy of the states party to
this compact to cooperate and share jointly the administrative and financial
responsibilities of preparing a feasibility study concerning the operation
of such a system connecting major cities in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan,
Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, and Kentucky.
(B) In addition to the interstate feasibility studies, wherein Chicago
will be considered a hub, special studies of all existing and potential
rail passenger service shall be conducted in Illinois. Such studies shall
include recommendations for the maintenance and improvement of service and
shall consider, but not be limited to, the speed, scheduling, frequency,
and reliability of such service. The feasibility and cost of high-speed
electric-powered trains in the Chicago-St. Louis and Chicago-Milwaukee corridors
using Illinois coal for power generation shall be specifically considered
as one such special study. All such special studies shall be conducted
by the Illinois Department of Transportation in cooperation with the Illinois
Transportation Study Commission, with an initial report thereon to be submitted
to the Governor and each member of the General Assembly not later than January 1, 1982.
Article II. COOPERATION
The states of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia,
and Kentucky, hereinafter referred to as participating states, agree to,
upon adoption of this compact by the respective states, jointly conduct
and participate in a high speed intercity rail passenger feasibility study
by providing such information and data as is available and may be requested
by a participating state or any consulting firms representing a participating
state or the compact. It is mutually understood by the participating states
that such information
shall not include matters not of public record or of a nature considered
to be privileged and confidential unless the state providing such information
agrees to waive the confidentiality.
The participating states further agree to:
(A) Make available to each other and to any consulting firm representing
the member states or the compact such assistance as may be legal, proper
and available, including but not limited to personnel, equipment, office
space, machinery, computers, engineering and technical advice and services: and
(B) Provide such financial assistance for the implementation of the feasibility
study as may be legal, proper and available.
Article III. INTERSTATE RAIL PASSENGER ADVISORY COUNCIL
There is hereby created an Interstate Rail Passenger Advisory Council,
the membership of which shall consist of two representatives from each participating
state, one of the Illinois representatives shall be the Secretary of the
Illinois Department of Transportation and the other shall be appointed by
the Joint Committee on Legislative Support Services. The members
shall select designees who shall serve in the absence of the members. The
Advisory Council shall meet within thirty days after ratification of this
agreement by at least two participating states and establish rules for the
conduct of the Advisory
Council's business.
The Advisory Council shall coordinate all aspects of the high speed intercity
rail passenger feasibility study relative to interstate connections and
shall do all other things necessary and proper for the completion of the
feasibility study.
Article IV. EFFECTIVE DATE
This compact shall become effective upon the adoption of the compact into
law by two or more of the participating states. Thereafter, it shall enter
into force and effect as to any other participating state upon the enactment
thereof by such state.
This compact shall continue in force with respect to a participating state
and remain binding upon such state until six months after such state has
given notice to each other participating state of the repeal thereof. Such
withdrawal shall not be construed to relieve any participating state from
any obligation incurred prior to the end of the state's participation in
the compact as provided herein.
Article V. CONSTRUCTION AND SEVERABILITY
This compact shall be liberally construed so as to effectuate the purposes
thereof. The provisions of this compact shall be severable and if any phrase,
clause, sentence, or provision of this compact is declared to be contrary
to the constitution of any participating state or of the United States,
or the applicability thereof to any government, agency, person, or circumstance
is held invalid, the validity of the remainder of this compact and the applicability
thereof
to any government, agency, person, or circumstance shall not be affected
thereby. If this compact shall be held contrary to the constitution of any
participating state, the compact shall remain in full force and effect as
to the remaining states and in full force and effect as to the state affected
as to all severable matters.
(Source: P.A. 84-674.)
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