Sen. John J. Cullerton

Filed: 10/29/2009

 

 


 

 


 
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1
AMENDMENT TO HOUSE BILL 1597

2     AMENDMENT NO. ______. Amend House Bill 1597 by replacing
3 everything after the enacting clause with the following:
 
4     "Section 5. The Department of Transportation Law of the
5 Civil Administrative Code of Illinois is amended by changing
6 Section 2705-305 as follows:
 
7     (20 ILCS 2705/2705-305)
8     Sec. 2705-305. Grants for mass transportation.
9     (a) For the purpose of mass transportation grants and
10 contracts, the following definitions apply:
11      "Carrier" means any corporation, authority, partnership,
12 association, person, or district authorized to provide mass
13 transportation within the State.
14      "District" means all of the following:
15         (i) Any district created pursuant to the Local Mass
16     Transit District Act.

 

 

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1         (ii) The Authority created pursuant to the
2     Metropolitan Transit Authority Act.
3         (iii) Any authority, commission, or other entity that
4     by virtue of an interstate compact approved by Congress is
5     authorized to provide mass transportation.
6         (iv) The Authority created pursuant to the Regional
7     Transportation Authority Act.
8     "Facilities" comprise all real and personal property used
9 in or appurtenant to a mass transportation system, including
10 parking lots.
11     "Mass transportation" means transportation provided within
12 the State of Illinois by rail, bus, or other conveyance and
13 available to the general public on a regular and continuing
14 basis, including the transportation of handicapped or elderly
15 persons as provided more specifically in Section 2705-310.
16     "Unit of local government" means any city, village,
17 incorporated town, or county.
18     (b) Grants may be made to units of local government,
19 districts, and carriers for the acquisition, construction,
20 extension, reconstruction, and improvement of mass
21 transportation facilities. Grants shall be made upon the terms
22 and conditions that in the judgment of the Secretary are
23 necessary to ensure their proper and effective utilization.
24     (c) The Department shall make grants under this Law in a
25 manner designed, so far as is consistent with the maintenance
26 and development of a sound mass transportation system within

 

 

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1 the State, to: (i) maximize federal funds for the assistance of
2 mass transportation in Illinois under the Federal Transit Act
3 and other federal Acts; (ii) facilitate the movement of persons
4 who because of age, economic circumstance, or physical
5 infirmity are unable to drive; (iii) contribute to an improved
6 environment through the reduction of air, water, and noise
7 pollution; and (iv) reduce traffic congestion.
8     (d) The Secretary shall establish procedures for making
9 application for mass transportation grants. The procedures
10 shall provide for public notice of all applications and give
11 reasonable opportunity for the submission of comments and
12 objections by interested parties. The procedures shall be
13 designed with a view to facilitating simultaneous application
14 for a grant to the Department and to the federal government.
15     (e) Grants may be made for mass transportation projects as
16 follows:
17         (1) In an amount not to exceed 100% of the nonfederal
18     share of projects for which a federal grant is made.
19         (2) In an amount not to exceed 100% of the net project
20     cost for projects for which a federal grant is not made.
21         (3) In an amount not to exceed five-sixths of the net
22     project cost for projects essential for the maintenance of
23     a sound transportation system and eligible for federal
24     assistance for which a federal grant application has been
25     made but a federal grant has been delayed. If and when a
26     federal grant is made, the amount in excess of the

 

 

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1     nonfederal share shall be promptly returned to the
2     Department.
3     In no event shall the Department make a grant that,
4 together with any federal funds or funds from any other source,
5 is in excess of 100% of the net project cost.
6     (f) Regardless of whether any funds are available under a
7 federal grant, the Department shall not make a mass
8 transportation grant unless the Secretary finds that the
9 recipient has entered into an agreement with the Department in
10 which the recipient agrees not to engage in school bus
11 operations exclusively for the transportation of students and
12 school personnel in competition with private school bus
13 operators where those private school bus operators are able to
14 provide adequate transportation, at reasonable rates, in
15 conformance with applicable safety standards, provided that
16 this requirement shall not apply to a recipient that operates a
17 school system in the area to be served and operates a separate
18 and exclusive school bus program for the school system.
19     (g) Grants may be made for mass transportation purposes
20 with funds appropriated from the Build Illinois Bond Fund
21 consistent with the specific purposes for which those funds are
22 appropriated by the General Assembly. Grants under this
23 subsection (g) are not subject to any limitations or conditions
24 imposed upon grants by any other provision of this Section,
25 except that the Secretary may impose the terms and conditions
26 that in his or her judgment are necessary to ensure the proper

 

 

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1 and effective utilization of the grants under this subsection.
2     (h) The Department may let contracts for mass
3 transportation purposes and facilities for the purpose of
4 reducing urban congestion funded in whole or in part with bonds
5 described in subdivision (b)(1) of Section 4 of the General
6 Obligation Bond Act, not to exceed $75,000,000 in bonds.
7     (i) The Department may make grants to carriers, districts,
8 and units of local government for the purpose of reimbursing
9 them for providing reduced fares for mass transportation
10 services for students, handicapped persons and the elderly.
11 Grants shall be made upon the terms and conditions that in the
12 judgment of the Secretary are necessary to ensure their proper
13 and effective utilization.
14     (j) The Department may make grants to carriers, districts,
15 and units of local government for costs of providing ADA
16 paratransit service. Subject to appropriation, the Department
17 shall make grants to the Regional Transportation Authority in
18 the amount of $8,500,000 in State fiscal year 2010 and in State
19 fiscal year 2011 in the amount determined by the Regional
20 Transportation Authority as the shortfall in the ADA
21 Paratransit Fund for calendar year 2011, provided that the
22 amount of the grant in 2011 shall not exceed $10,000,000. These
23 amounts granted to the Regional Transportation Authority shall
24 be deposited into the ADA Paratransit Fund and used for payment
25 to the Suburban Bus Board for the provision of ADA paratransit
26 service.

 

 

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1 (Source: P.A. 94-91, eff. 7-1-05.)
 
2     Section 10. The Downstate Public Transportation Act is
3 amended by changing Section 2-15.2 as follows:
 
4     (30 ILCS 740/2-15.2)
5     Sec. 2-15.2. Free services; eligibility.
6     (a) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, no later than
7 60 days following the effective date of this amendatory Act of
8 the 95th General Assembly and until subsection (b) is
9 implemented, any fixed route public transportation services
10 provided by, or under grant or purchase of service contracts
11 of, every participant, as defined in Section 2-2.02 (1)(a),
12 shall be provided without charge to all senior citizen
13 residents of the participant aged 65 and older, under such
14 conditions as shall be prescribed by the participant.
15     (b) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, beginning on
16 March 1, 2010, any fixed route public transportation services
17 provided by, or under grant or purchase of service contracts
18 of, every participant, as defined in Section 2-2.02 (1)(a),
19 shall be provided without charge to senior citizens aged 65 and
20 older who meet the income eligibility limitation set forth in
21 subsection (a-5) of Section 4 of the Senior Citizens and
22 Disabled Persons Property Tax Relief and Pharmaceutical
23 Assistance Act, under such conditions as shall be prescribed by
24 the participant. The Department on Aging shall furnish all

 

 

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1 information reasonably necessary to determine eligibility,
2 including updated lists of individuals who are eligible for
3 services without charge under this Section. Nothing in this
4 Section shall relieve the participant from providing reduced
5 fares as may be required by federal law.
6 (Source: P.A. 95-708, eff. 1-18-08.)
 
7     Section 15. The Metropolitan Transit Authority Act is
8 amended by changing Sections 30 and 51 as follows:
 
9     (70 ILCS 3605/30)  (from Ch. 111 2/3, par. 330)
10     Sec. 30. Powers of the Board.
11     (a) The Board shall make all rules and regulations
12 governing the operation of the transportation system, shall
13 determine all routings and change the same whenever it is
14 deemed advisable by the Board, subject to the provisions of any
15 ordinance granting rights to the Authority. Except as provided
16 in Section 4.11(b)(5) of the "Regional Transportation
17 Authority Act", and subject to the provisions of subsection (c)
18 of this Section, the Board shall fix rates, fares and charges
19 for transportation, provided that they shall be at all times
20 sufficient in the aggregate to provide revenues (a) for the
21 payment of the interest on and principal of all bonds,
22 certificates and other obligations payable from said revenues
23 and to meet all other charges upon such revenues as provided by
24 any trust agreement executed by the Authority in connection

 

 

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1 with the issuance of bonds or certificates under this Act, (b)
2 for the payment of all operating costs including all charges
3 which may be incurred pursuant to Sections 29 and 39 of this
4 Act and all other costs and charges incidental to the operation
5 of the transportation system, (c) for the payment of all costs
6 and charges incurred pursuant to Sections 37 and 38 of this Act
7 and any other costs and charges for acquisition, installation,
8 construction or for replacement or reconstruction of
9 equipment, structures or rights of way not financed through
10 issuance of bonds or certificates under Section 12 of this Act,
11 and (d) for any compensation required to be paid to any
12 municipality for the use of streets, subways and other public
13 ways. The Board may provide free transportation within any
14 municipality in and by which they are employed for firemen and
15 public health nurses, when in uniform, and policemen when in
16 uniform or, when not in uniform, upon presentation of
17 identification as policemen, and shall provide free
18 transportation to sworn law enforcement personnel of the Cook
19 County Sheriff's Department when in uniform or, when not in
20 uniform, upon presentation of identification as sworn law
21 enforcement personnel of the Cook County Sheriff's Department,
22 and may provide free transportation for employees of the
23 Authority when in uniform or upon presentation of
24 identification as such employees, and may enter into agreements
25 with the United States Post Office Department for the
26 transportation of mail, and the payment of compensation to the

 

 

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1 Authority in lieu of fares for the transportation of letter
2 carriers, when in uniform at all times.
3     (b) The Board may also provide free transportation, or
4 transportation at reduced fares, to all or designated classes
5 of pupils in attendance at public schools of school districts
6 within or partly within the territorial limits of the
7 Authority, or in attendance at private schools offering grades
8 of instruction comparable to those offered in public schools,
9 under such conditions as shall be prescribed by the Board, and,
10 if otherwise authorized by law, the Board may contract with
11 public school boards and representatives of private schools,
12 for reimbursement of pupil transportation costs from public
13 funds.
14     (c) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, beginning
15 on the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 96th
16 General Assembly and for a period of 2 years after the
17 effective date of this amendatory Act of the 96th General
18 Assembly, for any ticket, pass, or other charge for services,
19 other than paratransit services, the Board shall not adopt,
20 approve, or collect a fare that is more than the price of that
21 fare on the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 96th
22 General Assembly.
23 (Source: P.A. 83-886.)
 
24     (70 ILCS 3605/51)
25     Sec. 51. Free services; eligibility.

 

 

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1     (a) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, no later than
2 60 days following the effective date of this amendatory Act of
3 the 95th General Assembly and until subsection (b) is
4 implemented, any fixed route public transportation services
5 provided by, or under grant or purchase of service contracts
6 of, the Board shall be provided without charge to all senior
7 citizens of the Metropolitan Region (as such term is defined in
8 70 ILCS 3615/1.03) aged 65 and older, under such conditions as
9 shall be prescribed by the Board.
10     (b) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, beginning on
11 March 1, 2010, any fixed route public transportation services
12 provided by, or under grant or purchase of service contracts
13 of, the Board shall be provided without charge to senior
14 citizens aged 65 and older who meet the income eligibility
15 limitation set forth in subsection (a-5) of Section 4 of the
16 Senior Citizens and Disabled Persons Property Tax Relief and
17 Pharmaceutical Assistance Act, under such conditions as shall
18 be prescribed by the Board. The Department on Aging shall
19 furnish all information reasonably necessary to determine
20 eligibility, including updated lists of individuals who are
21 eligible for services without charge under this Section.
22 Nothing in this Section shall relieve the Board from providing
23 reduced fares as may be required by federal law.
24 (Source: P.A. 95-708, eff. 1-18-08.)
 
25     Section 20. The Local Mass Transit District Act is amended

 

 

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1 by changing Section 8.6 as follows:
 
2     (70 ILCS 3610/8.6)
3     Sec. 8.6. Free services; eligibility.
4     (a) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, no later than
5 60 days following the effective date of this amendatory Act of
6 the 95th General Assembly and until subsection (b) is
7 implemented, any fixed route public transportation services
8 provided by, or under grant or purchase of service contracts
9 of, every District shall be provided without charge to all
10 senior citizens of the District aged 65 and older, under such
11 conditions as shall be prescribed by the District.
12     (b) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, beginning on
13 March 1, 2010, any fixed route public transportation services
14 provided by, or under grant or purchase of service contracts
15 of, every District shall be provided without charge to senior
16 citizens aged 65 and older who meet the income eligibility
17 limitation set forth in subsection (a-5) of Section 4 of the
18 Senior Citizens and Disabled Persons Property Tax Relief and
19 Pharmaceutical Assistance Act, under such conditions as shall
20 be prescribed by the District. The Department on Aging shall
21 furnish all information reasonably necessary to determine
22 eligibility, including updated lists of individuals who are
23 eligible for services without charge under this Section.
24 Nothing in this Section shall relieve the District from
25 providing reduced fares as may be required by federal law.

 

 

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1 (Source: P.A. 95-708, eff. 1-18-08.)
 
2     Section 25. The Regional Transportation Authority Act is
3 amended by changing Sections 2.01d, 3A.10, 3A.15, 3B.10, and
4 3B.14 and by adding Sections 3A.10-5 and 3B.10-5 as follows:
 
5     (70 ILCS 3615/2.01d)
6     Sec. 2.01d. ADA Paratransit Fund. The Authority shall
7 establish an ADA Paratransit Fund and, each year, deposit into
8 that Fund the amounts directed by Section 4.03.3 of this Act
9 and any funds received from the State pursuant to
10 appropriations for the purpose of funding ADA paratransit
11 services. The amounts on deposit in the Fund and interest and
12 other earnings on those amounts shall be used by the Authority
13 to make grants to the Suburban Bus Board for ADA paratransit
14 services provided pursuant to plans approved by the Authority
15 under Section 2.30 of this Act. Funds received by the Suburban
16 Bus Board from the Authority's ADA Paratransit Fund shall be
17 used only to provide ADA paratransit services to individuals
18 who are determined to be eligible for such services by the
19 Authority under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and
20 its implementing regulations. Revenues from and costs of
21 services provided by the Suburban Bus Board with grants made
22 under this Section shall be included in the Annual Budget and
23 Two-Year Financial Program of the Suburban Bus Board and shall
24 be subject to all budgetary and financial requirements under

 

 

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1 this Act that apply to ADA paratransit services. Beginning in
2 2008, the Executive Director shall, no later than August 15 of
3 each year, provide to the Board a written determination of the
4 projected annual costs of ADA paratransit services that are
5 required to be provided pursuant to the Americans with
6 Disabilities Act of 1990 and its implementing regulations. The
7 Board shall advise the Service Boards of the estimated
8 operating deficit of the Suburban Bus Board in the provision of
9 ADA paratransit service in 2011, the amount estimated to be
10 deposited into the ADA Paratransit Fund during that year under
11 Section 4.03.3, and any projected shortfall in funding for ADA
12 paratransit services for that year. The Authority shall advise
13 the Illinois Department of Transportation of the projected
14 shortfall and request a grant of $8,500,000 in 2010 and the
15 shortfall amount in 2011, however, that request shall not
16 exceed $10,000,000. If the Board, at any time after reviewing
17 the financial condition and results of operations of ADA
18 paratransit services under Section 4.11, determines that the
19 shortfall in the ADA Paratransit Fund will exceed $8,500,000 in
20 2010 or $10,000,000 in 2011, and other actions authorized under
21 Section 4.11 are inadequate to eliminate that revised
22 shortfall, then the Board shall authorize the issuance of
23 Working Cash Notes, subject to the provisions of Section 4.04
24 of this Act, to fund such shortfall to the extent that it
25 exceeds these enumerated amounts. The Authority shall conduct
26 triennial financial, compliance, and performance audits of ADA

 

 

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1 paratransit services to assist in this determination.
2 (Source: P.A. 95-708, eff. 1-18-08.)
 
3     (70 ILCS 3615/3A.10)  (from Ch. 111 2/3, par. 703A.10)
4     Sec. 3A.10. Budget and Program. The Suburban Bus Board,
5 subject to the powers of the Authority in Section 4.11, shall
6 control the finances of the Division. It shall by ordinance
7 appropriate money to perform the Division's purposes and
8 provide for payment of debts and expenses of the Division. Each
9 year the Suburban Bus Board shall prepare and publish a
10 comprehensive annual budget and proposed five-year capital
11 program document, and a financial plan for the 2 years
12 thereafter describing the state of the Division and presenting
13 for the forthcoming fiscal year and the 2 following years the
14 Suburban Bus Board's plans for such operations and capital
15 expenditures as it intends to undertake and the means by which
16 it intends to finance them. The proposed budget, financial
17 plan, and five-year capital program shall be based on the
18 Authority's estimate of funds to be made available to the
19 Suburban Bus Board by or through the Authority and shall
20 conform in all respects to the requirements established by the
21 Authority. The proposed budget, financial plan, and five-year
22 capital program shall contain a statement of the funds
23 estimated to be on hand at the beginning of the fiscal year,
24 the funds estimated to be received from all sources for such
25 year and the funds estimated to be on hand at the end of such

 

 

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1 year. The fiscal year of the Division shall be the same as the
2 fiscal year of the Authority. Before the proposed budget,
3 financial plan, and five-year capital program are submitted to
4 the Authority, the Suburban Bus Board shall hold at least one
5 public hearing thereon in each of the counties in the
6 metropolitan region in which the Division provides service. The
7 Suburban Bus Board shall hold at least one meeting for
8 consideration of the proposed budget, financial plan, and
9 five-year capital program with the county board of each of the
10 several counties in the metropolitan region in which the
11 Division provides service. After conducting such hearings and
12 holding such meetings and after making such changes in the
13 proposed budget, financial plan, and five-year capital program
14 as the Suburban Bus Board deems appropriate, it shall adopt an
15 annual budget ordinance at least by November 15 next preceding
16 the beginning of each fiscal year. The budget, financial plan,
17 and five-year capital program shall then be submitted to the
18 Authority as provided in Section 4.11. In the event that the
19 Board of the Authority determines that the budget and financial
20 plan do not meet the standards of Section 4.11, the Suburban
21 Bus Board shall make such changes as are necessary to meet such
22 requirements and adopt an amended budget ordinance. The amended
23 budget ordinance shall be resubmitted to the Authority pursuant
24 to Section 4.11. The ordinance shall appropriate such sums of
25 money as are deemed necessary to defray all necessary expenses
26 and obligations of the Division, specifying purposes and the

 

 

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1 objects or programs for which appropriations are made and the
2 amount appropriated for each object or program. Additional
3 appropriations, transfers between items and other changes in
4 such ordinance which do not alter the basis upon which the
5 balanced budget determination was made by the Board of the
6 Authority may be made from time to time by the Suburban Bus
7 Board.
8     The budget shall:
9         (i) show a balance between (A) anticipated revenues
10     from all sources including operating subsidies and (B) the
11     costs of providing the services specified and of funding
12     any operating deficits or encumbrances incurred in prior
13     periods, including provision for payment when due of
14     principal and interest on outstanding indebtedness;
15         (ii) show cash balances including the proceeds of any
16     anticipated cash flow borrowing sufficient to pay with
17     reasonable promptness all costs and expenses as incurred;
18         (iii) subject to the provisions of Section 3A.10-5 of
19     this Act, provide for a level of fares or charges and
20     operating or administrative costs for the public
21     transportation provided by or subject to the jurisdiction
22     of the Suburban Bus Board sufficient to allow the Suburban
23     Bus Board to meet its required system generated revenues
24     recovery ratio and, beginning with the 2007 fiscal year,
25     its system generated ADA paratransit services revenue
26     recovery ratio;

 

 

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1         (iv) be based upon and employ assumptions and
2     projections which are reasonable and prudent;
3         (v) have been prepared in accordance with sound
4     financial practices as determined by the Board of the
5     Authority;
6         (vi) meet such other uniform financial, budgetary, or
7     fiscal requirements that the Board of the Authority may by
8     rule or regulation establish; and
9         (vii) be consistent with the goals and objectives
10     adopted by the Regional Transportation Authority in the
11     Strategic Plan.
12 (Source: P.A. 94-370, eff. 7-29-05; 95-708, eff. 1-18-08.)
 
13     (70 ILCS 3615/3A.10-5 new)
14     Sec. 3A.10-5. Prohibition on fare increases.
15 Notwithstanding any other provision of law, beginning on the
16 effective date of this amendatory Act of the 96th General
17 Assembly and for a period of 2 years after the effective date
18 of this amendatory Act of the 96th General Assembly, for any
19 ticket, pass, or other charge for services, other than
20 paratransit services, the Suburban Bus Board shall not adopt,
21 approve, or collect a fare that is more than the price of that
22 fare on the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 96th
23 General Assembly.
 
24     (70 ILCS 3615/3A.15)

 

 

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1     Sec. 3A.15. Free services; eligibility.
2     (a) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, no later than
3 60 days following the effective date of this amendatory Act of
4 the 95th General Assembly and until subsection (b) is
5 implemented, any fixed route public transportation services
6 provided by, or under grant or purchase of service contracts
7 of, the Suburban Bus Board shall be provided without charge to
8 all senior citizens of the Metropolitan Region aged 65 and
9 older, under such conditions as shall be prescribed by the
10 Suburban Bus Board.
11     (b) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, beginning on
12 March 1, 2010, any fixed route public transportation services
13 provided by, or under grant or purchase of service contracts
14 of, the Suburban Bus Board shall be provided without charge to
15 senior citizens aged 65 and older who meet the income
16 eligibility limitation set forth in subsection (a-5) of Section
17 4 of the Senior Citizens and Disabled Persons Property Tax
18 Relief and Pharmaceutical Assistance Act, under such
19 conditions as shall be prescribed by the Suburban Bus Board.
20 The Department on Aging shall furnish all information
21 reasonably necessary to determine eligibility, including
22 updated lists of individuals who are eligible for services
23 without charge under this Section. Nothing in this Section
24 shall relieve the Suburban Bus Board from providing reduced
25 fares as may be required by federal law.
26 (Source: P.A. 95-708, eff. 1-18-08.)
 

 

 

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1     (70 ILCS 3615/3B.10)  (from Ch. 111 2/3, par. 703B.10)
2     Sec. 3B.10. Budget and Program. The Commuter Rail Board,
3 subject to the powers of the Authority in Section 4.11, shall
4 control the finances of the Division. It shall by ordinance
5 appropriate money to perform the Division's purposes and
6 provide for payment of debts and expenses of the Division. Each
7 year the Commuter Rail Board shall prepare and publish a
8 comprehensive annual budget and proposed five-year capital
9 program document, and a financial plan for the two years
10 thereafter describing the state of the Division and presenting
11 for the forthcoming fiscal year and the two following years the
12 Commuter Rail Board's plans for such operations and capital
13 expenditures as the Commuter Rail Board intends to undertake
14 and the means by which it intends to finance them. The proposed
15 budget, financial plan, and five-year capital program shall be
16 based on the Authority's estimate of funds to be made available
17 to the Commuter Rail Board by or through the Authority and
18 shall conform in all respects to the requirements established
19 by the Authority. The proposed budget, financial plan, and
20 five-year capital program shall contain a statement of the
21 funds estimated to be on hand at the beginning of the fiscal
22 year, the funds estimated to be received from all sources for
23 such year and the funds estimated to be on hand at the end of
24 such year. The fiscal year of the Division shall be the same as
25 the fiscal year of the Authority. Before the proposed budget,

 

 

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1 financial plan, and five-year capital program are submitted to
2 the Authority, the Commuter Rail Board shall hold at least one
3 public hearing thereon in each of the counties in the
4 metropolitan region in which the Division provides service. The
5 Commuter Rail Board shall hold at least one meeting for
6 consideration of the proposed budget, financial plan, and
7 five-year capital plan with the county board of each of the
8 several counties in the metropolitan region in which the
9 Division provides service. After conducting such hearings and
10 holding such meetings and after making such changes in the
11 proposed budget, financial plan, and five-year capital plan as
12 the Commuter Rail Board deems appropriate, the board shall
13 adopt its annual budget ordinance at least by November 15 next
14 preceding the beginning of each fiscal year. The budget,
15 financial plan, and five-year capital program shall then be
16 submitted to the Authority as provided in Section 4.11. In the
17 event that the Board of the Authority determines that the
18 budget and program, and financial plan do not meet the
19 standards of Section 4.11, the Commuter Rail Board shall make
20 such changes as are necessary to meet such requirements and
21 adopt an amended budget ordinance. The amended budget ordinance
22 shall be resubmitted to the Authority pursuant to Section 4.11.
23 The ordinance shall appropriate such sums of money as are
24 deemed necessary to defray all necessary expenses and
25 obligations of the Division, specifying purposes and the
26 objects or programs for which appropriations are made and the

 

 

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1 amount appropriated for each object or program. Additional
2 appropriations, transfers between items and other changes in
3 such ordinance which do not alter the basis upon which the
4 balanced budget determination was made by the Board of the
5 Authority may be made from time to time by the Commuter Rail
6 Board.
7     The budget shall:
8         (i) show a balance between (A) anticipated revenues
9     from all sources including operating subsidies and (B) the
10     costs of providing the services specified and of funding
11     any operating deficits or encumbrances incurred in prior
12     periods, including provision for payment when due of
13     principal and interest on outstanding indebtedness;
14         (ii) show cash balances including the proceeds of any
15     anticipated cash flow borrowing sufficient to pay with
16     reasonable promptness all costs and expenses as incurred;
17         (iii) subject to the provisions of Section 3B.10-5 of
18     this Act, provide for a level of fares or charges for the
19     public transportation provided by or subject to the
20     jurisdiction of such Commuter Rail Board sufficient to
21     allow the Commuter Rail Board to meet its required system
22     generated revenue recovery ratio;
23         (iv) be based upon and employ assumptions and
24     projections which the Board of the Authority finds to be
25     reasonable and prudent;
26         (v) have been prepared in accordance with sound

 

 

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1     financial practices as determined by the Board of the
2     Authority;
3         (vi) meet such other uniform financial, budgetary, or
4     fiscal requirements that the Board of the Authority may by
5     rule or regulation establish; and
6         (vii) be consistent with the goals and objectives
7     adopted by the Regional Transportation Authority in the
8     Strategic Plan.
9 (Source: P.A. 95-708, eff. 1-18-08.)
 
10     (70 ILCS 3615/3B.10-5 new)
11     Sec. 3B.10-5. Prohibition on fare increases.
12 Notwithstanding any other provision of law, beginning on the
13 effective date of this amendatory Act of the 96th General
14 Assembly and for a period of 2 years after the effective date
15 of this amendatory Act of the 96th General Assembly, for any
16 ticket, pass, or other charge for services, other than
17 paratransit services, the Commuter Rail Board shall not adopt,
18 approve, or collect a fare that is more than the price of that
19 fare on the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 96th
20 General Assembly.
 
21     (70 ILCS 3615/3B.14)
22     Sec. 3B.14. Free services; eligibility.
23     (a) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, no later than
24 60 days following the effective date of this amendatory Act of

 

 

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1 the 95th General Assembly and until subsection (b) is
2 implemented, any fixed route public transportation services
3 provided by, or under grant or purchase of service contracts
4 of, the Commuter Rail Board shall be provided without charge to
5 all senior citizens of the Metropolitan Region aged 65 and
6 older, under such conditions as shall be prescribed by the
7 Commuter Rail Board.
8     (b) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, beginning on
9 March 1, 2010, any fixed route public transportation services
10 provided by, or under grant or purchase of service contracts
11 of, the Commuter Rail Board shall be provided without charge to
12 senior citizens aged 65 and older who meet the income
13 eligibility limitation set forth in subsection (a-5) of Section
14 4 of the Senior Citizens and Disabled Persons Property Tax
15 Relief and Pharmaceutical Assistance Act, under such
16 conditions as shall be prescribed by the Commuter Rail Board.
17 The Department on Aging shall furnish all information
18 reasonably necessary to determine eligibility, including
19 updated lists of individuals who are eligible for services
20 without charge under this Section. Nothing in this Section
21 shall relieve the Commuter Rail Board from providing reduced
22 fares as may be required by federal law.
23 (Source: P.A. 95-708, eff. 1-18-08.)
 
24     Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon
25 becoming law.".