HB0535eng 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HB0535 Engrossed LRB100 03783 AWJ 13788 b

AN ACT concerning local government.

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

Section 5. The Counties Code is amended by changing Section 5-1096 as follows:

(55 ILCS 5/5-1096) (from Ch. 34, par. 5-1096)

Sec. 5-1096. Community antenna television systems; interference with and payment for access.

(a) In any instance in which a county has granted a franchise to any community antenna television company to construct, operate or maintain a cable television system within a designated franchise area, no property owner, condominium association, managing agent, lessee or other person in possession or control of any residential building located within such designated franchise area shall forbid or prevent any occupant, tenant or lessee of any such building from receiving cable television service from such franchisee, nor demand or accept payment from any such occupant, tenant or lessee in any form as a condition of permitting the installation of cable television facilities or the maintenance of cable television service in any such building or any portion thereof occupied or leased by such occupant, tenant or lessee, nor shall any such property owner, condominium association, managing agent, lessee or other person discriminate in rental charges or otherwise against any occupant, tenant or lessee receiving cable service; provided, however, that the owner of such building may require, in exchange and as compensation for permitting the installation of cable television facilities within and upon such building, the payment of just compensation to be paid by the cable television franchisee which provides such cable television service, said sum to be determined in accordance with the provisions of subparagraphs (c) and (d) hereof, and provided further that the cable television franchisee installing such cable television facilities shall agree to indemnify the owner of such building for any damage caused by the installation, operation or removal of such cable television facilities and service.

No community antenna television company shall install cable television facilities within a residential building pursuant to this subparagraph (a) unless an occupant, tenant or lessee of such residential building requests the delivery of cable television services.

(b) In any instance in which a county has granted a franchise to any community antenna television company to construct, operate or maintain a cable television system within a designated franchise area, no property owner, condominium association, managing agent, lessee or other person in possession and control of any improved or unimproved real estate located within such designated franchise area shall forbid or prevent such cable television franchisee from entering upon such real estate for the purpose of and in connection with the construction or installation of such cable television system and cable television facilities, nor shall any such property owner, condominium association, managing agent, lessee or other person in possession or control of such real estate forbid or prevent such cable television franchisee from constructing or installing upon, beneath or over such real estate, including any buildings or other structures located thereon, hardware, cable, equipment, materials or other cable television facilities utilized by such cable franchisee in the construction and installation of such cable television system; provided, however, that the owner of any such real estate may require, in exchange and as compensation for permitting the construction or installation of cable television facilities upon, beneath or over such real estate, the payment of just compensation by the cable television franchisee which provides such cable television service, said sum to be determined in accordance with the provisions of subparagraphs (c) and (d) hereof, and provided further that the cable television franchisee constructing or installing such cable television facilities shall agree to indemnify the owner of such real estate for any damage caused by the installation, operation or removal of such cable television facilities and service.

(c) In any instance in which the owner of a residential building or the owner of improved or unimproved real estate intends to require the payment of just compensation in excess of $1 in exchange for permitting the installation of cable television facilities in and upon such building, or upon, beneath or over such real estate, the owner shall serve written notice thereof upon the cable television franchisee. Any such notice shall be served within 20 days of the date on which such owner is notified of the cable television franchisee's intention to construct or install cable television facilities in and upon such building, or upon, beneath or over such real estate. Unless timely notice as herein provided is given by the owner to the cable television franchisee, it will be conclusively presumed that the owner of any such building or real estate does not claim or intend to require a payment of more than $1 in exchange and as just compensation for permitting the installation of cable television facilities within and upon such building, or upon, beneath or over such real estate. In any instance in which a cable television franchisee intends to install cable television facilities as herein provided, written notice of such intention shall be sent by the cable television franchisee to the property owner or to such person, association or managing agent as shall have been appointed or otherwise designated to manage or operate the property. Such notice shall include the address of the property, the name of the cable television franchisee, and information as to the time within which the owner may give notice, demand payment as just compensation and initiate legal proceedings as provided in this subparagraph (c) and subparagraph (d). In any instance in which a community antenna television company intends to install cable television facilities within a residential building containing 12 or more residential units or upon, beneath, or over real estate that is used as a site for 12 or more manufactured housing units, 12 or more mobile homes, or a combination of 12 or more manufactured housing units and mobile homes, the written notice shall further provide that the property owner may require that the community antenna television company submit to the owner written plans identifying the manner in which cable television facilities are to be installed, including the proposed location of coaxial cable. Approval of those plans by the property owner shall not be unreasonably withheld and the owners' consent to and approval of those plans shall be presumed unless, within 30 days after receipt thereof, or in the case of a condominium association, 90 days after receipt thereof, the property owner identifies in writing the specific manner in which those plans deviate from generally accepted construction or safety standards, and unless the property owner contemporaneously submits an alternative construction plan providing for the installation of cable television facilities in an economically feasible manner. The community antenna television company may proceed with the plans originally submitted if an alternative plan is not submitted by the property owner within 30 days, or in the case of a condominium association, 90 days, or if an alternative plan submitted by the property owner fails to comply with generally accepted construction and safety standards or does not provide for the installation of cable television facilities in an economically feasible manner. For purposes of this subsection, "mobile home" and "manufactured housing unit" have the same meaning as in the Illinois Manufactured Housing and Mobile Home Safety Act.

(d) Any owner of a residential building described in subparagraph (a), and any owner of improved or unimproved real estate described in subparagraph (b), who shall have given timely written notice to the cable television franchisee as provided in subparagraph (c), may assert a claim for just compensation in excess of $1 for permitting the installation of cable television facilities within and upon such building, or upon, beneath or over such real estate. Within 30 days after notice has been given in accordance with subparagraph (c), the owner shall advise the cable television franchisee in writing of the amount claimed as just compensation. If within 60 days after the receipt of the owner's claim, the cable television franchisee has not agreed to pay the amount claimed or some other amount acceptable to the owner, the owner may bring suit to enforce such claim for just compensation in any court of competent jurisdiction and, upon timely demand, may require that the amount of just compensation be determined by a jury. Any such action shall be commenced within 6 months of the notice given by the cable television franchisee pursuant to subparagraph (c) hereof. In any action brought to determine such amount, the owner may submit evidence of a decrease in the fair market value of the property occasioned by the installation or location of the cable on the property, that the owner has a specific alternative use for the space occupied by cable television facilities, the loss of which will result in a monetary loss to the owner, or that installation of cable television facilities within and upon such building or upon, beneath or over such real estate otherwise substantially interferes with the use and occupancy of such building to an extent which causes a decrease in the fair market value of such building or real estate.

(e) Neither the giving of a notice by the owner under subparagraph (c), nor the assertion of a specific claim, nor the initiation of legal action to enforce such claim, as provided under subparagraph (d), shall delay or impair the right of the cable television franchisee to construct or install cable television facilities and maintain cable television services within or upon any building described in subparagraph (a) or upon, beneath or over real estate described in subparagraph (b).

(f) Notwithstanding the foregoing, no community antenna television company shall enter upon any real estate or rights of way in the possession or control of any public utility, railroad or owner or operator of an oil, petroleum product, chemical or gas pipeline to install or remove cable television facilities or to provide underground maintenance or repair services with respect thereto, prior to delivery to the public utility, railroad or pipeline owner or operator of written notice of intent to enter, install, maintain, or remove. For the purposes of this subsection (f), and only in the case of real estate or rights-of-way in possession of or in control of a railroad, the right to enter upon includes the installation, construction, operation, repair, maintenance, or removal of wire, cable, fiber, conduit, or related facilities that are at, above, or below grade and that cross the real estate or rights-of-way in a manner that runs generally perpendicular to the railroad tracks or railroad right-of-way. For the purposes of this subsection (f), and only in the case of real estate or rights-of-way in possession of or in the control of a railroad, the right to enter upon does not apply to wire, cable, fiber, conduit, or related facilities that run along, within, and generally parallel to, but do not cross, the railroad tracks or railroad right-of-way. No entry shall be made until at least 30 15 business days after receipt of such written notice. Such written notice, which shall be delivered to the registered agent of such public utility, railroad or pipeline owner or operator shall include the following information:

(i) The date of the proposed installation, maintenance, repair, or removal and projected length of time required to complete such installation, maintenance, repair or removal;

(ii) The manner and method of, and the detailed design and construction plans that conform to the applicable published and publicly available American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association standards and the published and publicly available standards for the appropriate railroad for, such installation, maintenance, repair, or removal;

(iii) The location of the proposed entry and path of cable television facilities proposed to be placed, repaired, maintained or removed upon the real estate or right of way; and

(iv) The written agreement of the community antenna television company to indemnify and hold harmless such public utility, railroad or pipeline owner or operator from the costs of any damages directly or indirectly caused by the installation, maintenance, repair, operation, or removal of cable television facilities. Upon request of the public utility, railroad, or owner or operator of an oil, petroleum product, chemical or gas pipeline, the community antenna television company shall provide proof that it has purchased and will maintain a policy or policies of insurance in amounts sufficient to provide coverage for personal injury and property damage losses caused by or resulting from the installation, maintenance, repair, or removal of cable television facilities. The written agreement shall provide that the community antenna television company shall maintain such policies of insurance in full force and effect as long as cable television facilities remain on the real estate or right of way; and .

(v) A statement, based upon information available to the community antenna television company, confirming that the proposed installation, maintenance, repair, or removal does not create a dangerous condition or threaten public or employee safety and will not adversely impact railroad operations or disrupt vital transportation services.

For purposes of this subsection (f), "community antenna television company" includes, in the case of real estate or rights-of-way in possession of or in control of a railroad, a holder, cable operator, or broadband service provider, as those terms are defined in Section 21-201 of the Public Utilities Act.

Within 30 15 business days of receipt of the written prior notice of entry the public utility, railroad or pipeline owner or operator shall investigate and determine whether or not the proposed entry and installation or repair, maintenance, or removal would create a dangerous condition threatening the safety of the public or the safety of its employees or threatening to cause an interruption of the furnishing of vital transportation, utility or pipeline services and upon so finding shall so notify the community antenna television company of such decision in writing. Initial determination of the existence of such a dangerous condition or interruption of services shall be made by the public utility, railroad or pipeline owner or operator whose real estate or right of way is involved. In the event that the community antenna television company disagrees with such determination, a determination of whether such entry and installation, maintenance, repair, or removal would create such a dangerous condition or interrupt services shall, upon the application of the community antenna television company, be made by the Illinois Commerce Commission Transportation Division in accordance with the Commission's Rail Safety Program a court of competent jurisdiction upon the application of such community antenna television company. An initial written determination of a public utility, railroad, or pipeline owner or operator timely made and transmitted to the community antenna television company, in the absence of a determination by a court of competent jurisdiction or an Illinois Commerce Commission Transportation Division finding to the contrary, bars the entry of the community antenna television company upon the real estate or right of way for any purpose.

Any public utility, railroad or pipeline owner or operator may assert a written claim against any community antenna television company for just compensation within 30 days after written notice has been given in accordance with this subparagraph (f). If, within 60 days after the receipt of such claim for compensation, the community antenna television company has not agreed to the amount claimed or some other amount acceptable to the public utility, railroad or pipeline owner or operator, the public utility, railroad or pipeline owner or operator may bring suit to enforce such claim for just compensation in any court of competent jurisdiction and, upon timely demand, may require that the amount of just compensation be determined by a jury. Any such action shall be commenced within 6 months of the notice provided for in this subparagraph (f). In any action brought to determine such just compensation, the public utility, railroad or pipeline owner or operator may submit such evidence as may be relevant to the issue of just compensation. Neither the assertion of a claim for compensation nor the initiation of legal action to enforce such claim shall delay or impair the right of the community antenna television company to construct or install cable television facilities upon any real estate or rights of way of any public utility, railroad or pipeline owner or operator.

To the extent that the public utility, railroad, or owner or operator of an oil, petroleum product, chemical or gas pipeline deems it appropriate to supervise, monitor or otherwise assist the community antenna television company in connection with the installation, maintenance, repair, or removal of cable television facilities upon such real estate or rights of way, the community antenna television company shall reimburse the public utility, railroad or owner or operator of an oil, petroleum product, chemical or gas pipeline for costs reasonable and actually incurred in connection therewith.

The provisions of this subparagraph (f) shall not be applicable to any easements, rights of way or ways for public service facilities in which public utilities, other than railroads, have any interest pursuant to "an Act to revise the law in relation to plats" approved March 21, 1874, and all ordinances enacted pursuant thereto. Such easements, rights of way and ways for public service facilities are hereby declared to be apportionable and upon written request by a community antenna television company, public utilities shall make such easements, rights of way and ways for public service facilities available for the construction, maintenance, repair or removal of cable television facilities provided that such construction, maintenance, repair or removal does not create a dangerous condition threatening the safety of the public or the safety of such public utility employees or threatening to cause an interruption of the furnishing of vital utility service. Initial determination of the existence of such a dangerous condition or interruption of services shall be made by the public utility whose easement, right of way or way for public service facility is involved. In the event the community antenna television company disagrees with such determination, a determination of whether such construction, maintenance, repair or removal would create such a dangerous condition or threaten to interrupt vital utility services, shall be made by a court of competent jurisdiction upon the application of such community antenna television company.

If a county notifies or a county requires a developer to notify a public utility before or after issuing a permit or other authorization for the construction of residential buildings, then the county or developer shall, at the same time, similarly notify any community antenna television system franchised by or within that county.

In addition to such other notices as may be required by this subparagraph (f), a community antenna television company shall not enter upon the real estate or rights of way of any public utility, railroad or pipeline owner or operator for the purposes of above-ground maintenance or repair of its television cable facilities without giving 96 hours prior written notice to the registered agent of the public utility, railroad or pipeline owner or operator involved, or in the case of a public utility, notice may be given through the statewide one-call notice system provided for by General Order of the Illinois Commerce Commission or, if in Chicago, through the system known as the Chicago Utility Alert Network.

(Source: P.A. 93-219, eff. 1-1-04.)

Section 10. The Illinois Municipal Code is amended by changing Section 11-42-11.1 as follows:

(65 ILCS 5/11-42-11.1) (from Ch. 24, par. 11-42-11.1)

Sec. 11-42-11.1. (a) In any instance in which a municipality has (i) granted a franchise to any community antenna television company or (ii) decided for the municipality itself to construct, operate or maintain a cable television system within a designated area, no property owner, condominium association, managing agent, lessee or other person in possession or control of any residential building located within the designated area shall forbid or prevent any occupant, tenant or lessee of any such building from receiving cable television service from such franchisee or municipality, nor demand or accept payment from any such occupant, tenant or lessee in any form as a condition of permitting the installation of cable television facilities or the maintenance of cable television service in any such building or any portion thereof occupied or leased by such occupant, tenant or lessee, nor shall any such property owner, condominium association, managing agent, lessee or other person discriminate in rental charges or otherwise against any occupant, tenant or lessee receiving cable service; provided, however, that the owner of such building may require, in exchange and as compensation for permitting the installation of cable television facilities within and upon such building, the payment of just compensation by the cable television franchisee which provides such cable television service, said sum to be determined in accordance with the provisions of subparagraphs (c) and (d) hereof, and provided further that the cable television franchisee installing such cable television facilities shall agree to indemnify the owner of such building for any damage caused by the installation, operation or removal of such cable television facilities and service.

No community antenna television company shall install cable television facilities within a residential building pursuant to this subparagraph (a) unless an occupant, tenant or lessee of such residential building requests the delivery of cable television services. In any instance in which a request for service is made by more than 3 occupants, tenants or lessees of a residential building, the community antenna television company may install cable television facilities throughout the building in a manner which enables the community antenna television company to provide cable television services to occupants, tenants or lessees of other residential units without requiring the installation of additional cable television facilities other than within the residential units occupied by such other occupants, tenants or lessees.

(b) In any instance in which a municipality has (i) granted a franchise to any community antenna television company or (ii) decided for the municipality itself to construct, operate or maintain a cable television system within a designated area, no property owner, condominium association, managing agent, lessee or other person in possession and control of any improved or unimproved real estate located within such designated area shall forbid or prevent such cable television franchisee or municipality from entering upon such real estate for the purpose of and in connection with the construction or installation of such cable television system and cable television facilities, nor shall any such property owner, condominium association, managing agent, lessee or other person in possession or control of such real estate forbid or prevent such cable television franchisee or municipality from constructing or installing upon, beneath or over such real estate, including any buildings or other structures located thereon, hardware, cable, equipment, materials or other cable television facilities utilized by such cable franchisee or municipality in the construction and installation of such cable television system; provided, however, that the owner of any such real estate may require, in exchange and as compensation for permitting the construction or installation of cable television facilities upon, beneath or over such real estate, the payment of just compensation by the cable television franchisee which provides such cable television service, said sum to be determined in accordance with the provisions of subparagraphs (c) and (d) hereof, and provided further that the cable television franchisee constructing or installing such cable television facilities shall agree to indemnify the owner of such real estate for any damage caused by the installation, operation or removal of such cable television facilities and service.

(c) In any instance in which the owner of a residential building or the owner of improved or unimproved real estate intends to require the payment of just compensation in excess of $1 in exchange for permitting the installation of cable television facilities in and upon such building, or upon, beneath or over such real estate, the owner shall serve written notice thereof upon the cable television franchisee. Any such notice shall be served within 20 days of the date on which such owner is notified of the cable television franchisee's intention to construct or install cable television facilities in and upon such building, or upon, beneath or over such real estate. Unless timely notice as herein provided is given by the owner to the cable television franchisee, it will be conclusively presumed that the owner of any such building or real estate does not claim or intend to require a payment of more than $1 in exchange and as just compensation for permitting the installation of cable television facilities within and upon such building, or upon, beneath or over such real estate. In any instance in which a cable television franchisee intends to install cable television facilities as herein provided, written notice of such intention shall be sent by the cable television franchisee to the property owner or to such person, association or managing agent as shall have been appointed or otherwise designated to manage or operate the property. Such notice shall include the address of the property, the name of the cable television franchisee, and information as to the time within which the owner may give notice, demand payment as just compensation and initiate legal proceedings as provided in this subparagraph (c) and subparagraph (d). In any instance in which a community antenna television company intends to install cable television facilities within a residential building containing 12 or more residential units or upon, beneath, or over real estate that is used as a site for 12 or more manufactured housing units, 12 or more mobile homes, or a combination of 12 or more manufactured housing units and mobile homes, the written notice shall further provide that the property owner may require that the community antenna television company submit to the owner written plans identifying the manner in which cable television facilities are to be installed, including the proposed location of coaxial cable. Approval of such plans by the property owner shall not be unreasonably withheld and such owners' consent to and approval of such plans shall be presumed unless, within 30 days after receipt thereof, or in the case of a condominium association, 90 days after receipt thereof, the property owner identifies in writing the specific manner in which such plans deviate from generally accepted construction or safety standards, and unless the property owner contemporaneously submits an alternative construction plan providing for the installation of cable television facilities in an economically feasible manner. The community antenna television company may proceed with the plans originally submitted if an alternative plan is not submitted by the property owner within 30 days, or in the case of a condominium association, 90 days, or if an alternative plan submitted by the property owner fails to comply with generally accepted construction and safety standards or does not provide for the installation of cable television facilities in an economically feasible manner. For purposes of this subsection, "mobile home" and "manufactured housing unit" have the same meaning as in the Illinois Manufactured Housing and Mobile Home Safety Act.

(d) Any owner of a residential building described in subparagraph (a), and any owner of improved or unimproved real estate described in subparagraph (b), who shall have given timely written notice to the cable television franchisee as provided in subparagraph (c), may assert a claim for just compensation in excess of $1 for permitting the installation of cable television facilities within and upon such building, or upon, beneath or over such real estate. Within 30 days after notice has been given in accordance with subparagraph (c), the owner shall advise the cable television franchisee in writing of the amount claimed as just compensation. If within 60 days after the receipt of the owner's claim, the cable television franchisee has not agreed to pay the amount claimed or some other amount acceptable to the owner, the owner may bring suit to enforce such claim for just compensation in any court of competent jurisdiction and, upon timely demand, may require that the amount of just compensation be determined by a jury. Any such action shall be commenced within 6 months of the notice given by the cable television franchisee pursuant to subparagraph (c) hereof. In any action brought to determine such amount, the owner may submit evidence of a decrease in the fair market value of the property occasioned by the installation or location of the cable on the property, that the owner has a specific alternative use for the space occupied by cable television facilities, the loss of which will result in a monetary loss to the owner, or that installation of cable television facilities within and upon such building or upon, beneath or over such real estate otherwise substantially interferes with the use and occupancy of such building to an extent which causes a decrease in the fair market value of such building or real estate.

(e) Neither the giving of a notice by the owner under subparagraph (c), nor the assertion of a specific claim, nor the initiation of legal action to enforce such claim, as provided under subparagraph (d), shall delay or impair the right of the cable television franchisee to construct or install cable television facilities and maintain cable television services within or upon any building described in subparagraph (a) or upon, beneath or over real estate described in subparagraph (b).

(f) Notwithstanding the foregoing, no community antenna television company or municipality shall enter upon any real estate or rights of way in the possession or control of any public utility, railroad or owner or operator of an oil, petroleum product, chemical or gas pipeline to install or remove cable television facilities or to provide underground maintenance or repair services with respect thereto, prior to delivery to the public utility, railroad or pipeline owner or operator of written notice of intent to enter, install, maintain, or remove. For the purposes of this subsection (f), and only in the case of real estate or rights-of-way in possession of or in control of a railroad, the right to enter upon includes the installation, construction, operation, repair, maintenance, or removal of wire, cable, fiber, conduit, or related facilities that are at, above, or below grade and that cross the real estate or rights-of-way in a manner that runs generally perpendicular to the railroad tracks or railroad right-of-way. For the purposes of this subsection (f), and only in the case of real estate or rights-of-way in possession of or in the control of a railroad, the right to enter upon does not apply to wire, cable, fiber, conduit, or related facilities that run along, within, and generally parallel to, but do not cross, the railroad tracks or railroad right-of-way. No entry shall be made until at least 30 15 business days after receipt of such written notice. Such written notice, which shall be delivered to the registered agent of such public utility, railroad or pipeline owner or operator shall include the following information:

(i) The date of the proposed installation, maintenance, repair, or removal and projected length of time required to complete such installation, maintenance, repair or removal;

(ii) The manner and method of, and the detailed design and construction plans that conform to the applicable published and publicly available American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association standards and the published and publicly available standards for the appropriate railroad for, such installation, maintenance, repair, or removal;

(iii) The location of the proposed entry and path of cable television facilities proposed to be placed, repaired, maintained or removed upon the real estate or right of way; and

(iv) The written agreement of the community antenna television company to indemnify and hold harmless such public utility, railroad or pipeline owner or operator from the costs of any damages directly or indirectly caused by the installation, maintenance, repair, operation, or removal of cable television facilities. Upon request of the public utility, railroad, or owner or operator of an oil, petroleum product, chemical or gas pipeline, the community antenna television company shall provide proof that it has purchased and will maintain a policy or policies of insurance in amounts sufficient to provide coverage for personal injury and property damage losses caused by or resulting from the installation, maintenance, repair, or removal of cable television facilities. The written agreement shall provide that the community antenna television company shall maintain such policies of insurance in full force and effect as long as cable television facilities remain on the real estate or right of way; and .

(v) A statement, based upon information available to the community antenna television company, confirming that the proposed installation, maintenance, repair, or removal does not create a dangerous condition or threaten public or employee safety and will not adversely impact railroad operations or disrupt vital transportation services.

For purposes of this subsection (f), and only in the case of real estate or rights-of-way in possession of or in control of a railroad, "community antenna television company" includes a holder, cable operator, or broadband service provider, as those terms are defined in Section 21-201 of the Public Utilities Act.

Within 30 15 business days of receipt of the written prior notice of entry the public utility, railroad or pipeline owner or operator shall investigate and determine whether or not the proposed entry and installation or repair, maintenance, or removal would create a dangerous condition threatening the safety of the public or the safety of its employees or threatening to cause an interruption of the furnishing of vital transportation, utility or pipeline services and upon so finding shall so notify the community antenna television company or municipality of such decision in writing. Initial determination of the existence of such a dangerous condition or interruption of services shall be made by the public utility, railroad or pipeline owner or operator whose real estate or right of way is involved. In the event that the community antenna television company or municipality disagrees with such determination, a determination of whether such entry and installation, maintenance, repair, or removal would create such a dangerous condition or interrupt services shall, upon application of the community antenna television company, be made by the Illinois Commerce Commission Transportation Division in accordance with the Commission's Rail Safety Program a court of competent jurisdiction upon the application of such community antenna television company or municipality. An initial written determination of a public utility, railroad, or pipeline owner or operator timely made and transmitted to the community antenna television company or municipality, in the absence of a determination by the Illinois Commerce Commission Transportation Division, in accordance with the Commission's Rail Safety Program, or a court of competent jurisdiction finding to the contrary, bars the entry of the community antenna television company or municipality upon the real estate or right of way for any purpose.

Any public utility, railroad or pipeline owner or operator may assert a written claim against any community antenna television company for just compensation within 30 days after written notice has been given in accordance with this subparagraph (f). If, within 60 days after the receipt of such claim for compensation, the community antenna television company has not agreed to the amount claimed or some other amount acceptable to the public utility, railroad or pipeline owner or operator, the public utility, railroad or pipeline owner or operator may bring suit to enforce such claim for just compensation in any court of competent jurisdiction and, upon timely demand, may require that the amount of just compensation be determined by a jury. Any such action shall be commenced within 6 months of the notice provided for in this subparagraph (f). In any action brought to determine such just compensation, the public utility, railroad or pipeline owner or operator may submit such evidence as may be relevant to the issue of just compensation. Neither the assertion of a claim for compensation nor the initiation of legal action to enforce such claim shall delay or impair the right of the community antenna television company to construct or install cable television facilities upon any real estate or rights of way of any public utility, railroad or pipeline owner or operator.

To the extent that the public utility, railroad, or owner or operator of an oil, petroleum product, chemical or gas pipeline deems it appropriate to supervise, monitor or otherwise assist the community antenna television company in connection with the installation, maintenance, repair or removal of cable television facilities upon such real estate or rights of way, the community antenna television company shall reimburse the public utility, railroad or owner or operator of an oil, petroleum product, chemical or gas pipeline for costs reasonable and actually incurred in connection therewith.

The provisions of this subparagraph (f) shall not be applicable to any easements, rights of way or ways for public service facilities in which public utilities, other than railroads, have any interest pursuant to "An Act to revise the law in relation to plats", approved March 21, 1874, as amended, and all ordinances enacted pursuant thereto. Such easements, rights of way and ways for public service facilities are hereby declared to be apportionable and upon written request by a community antenna television company, public utilities shall make such easements, rights of way and ways for public service facilities available for the construction, maintenance, repair or removal of cable television facilities provided that such construction, maintenance, repair or removal does not create a dangerous condition threatening the safety of the public or the safety of such public utility employees or threatening to cause an interruption of the furnishing of vital utility service. Initial determination of the existence of such a dangerous condition or interruption of services shall be made by the public utility whose easement, right of way or way for public service facility is involved. In the event the community antenna television company or municipality disagrees with such determination, a determination of whether such construction, maintenance, repair or removal would create such a dangerous condition or threaten to interrupt vital utility services, shall be made by a court of competent jurisdiction upon the application of such community antenna television company.

If a municipality notifies or a municipality requires a developer to notify a public utility before or after issuing a permit or other authorization for the construction of residential buildings, then the municipality or developer shall, at the same time, similarly notify any community antenna television system franchised by or within that municipality.

In addition to such other notices as may be required by this subparagraph (f), a community antenna television company or municipality shall not enter upon the real estate or rights of way of any public utility, railroad or pipeline owner or operator for the purposes of above-ground maintenance or repair of its television cable facilities without giving 96 hours prior written notice to the registered agent of the public utility, railroad or pipeline owner or operator involved, or in the case of a public utility, notice may be given through the statewide one-call notice system provided for by General Order of the Illinois Commerce Commission or, if in Chicago, through the system known as the Chicago Utility Alert Network.

(Source: P.A. 93-219, eff. 1-1-04.)

Section 15. The Crossing of Railroad Right-of-way Act is amended by changing Section 5 as follows:

(220 ILCS 70/5)

Sec. 5. Definitions. As used in this Act, unless the context otherwise requires:

"Crossing" means the construction, operation, repair, or maintenance of a facility over, under, or across a railroad right-of-way by a utility when the right-of-way is owned by a land management company and not a registered rail carrier.

"Direct expenses" includes, but is not limited to, any or all of the following:

(1) The cost of inspecting and monitoring the crossing site.

(2) Administrative and engineering costs for review of specifications and for entering a crossing on the railroad's books, maps, and property records and other reasonable administrative and engineering costs incurred as a result of the crossing.

(3) Document and preparation fees associated with a crossing, and any engineering specifications related to the crossing.

(4) Damages assessed in connection with the rights granted to a utility with respect to a crossing.

"Facility" means any cable, conduit, wire, pipe, casing pipe, supporting poles and guys, manhole, or other material or equipment, that is used by a utility to furnish any of the following:

(1) Communications, video, or information services.

(2) Electricity.

(3) Gas by piped system.

(4) Sanitary and storm sewer service.

(5) Water by piped system.

"Land management company" means an entity that is the owner, manager, or agent of a railroad right-of-way and is not a registered rail carrier.

"Railroad right-of-way" means one or more of the following:

(1) A right-of-way or other interest in real estate that is owned or operated by a land management company and not a registered rail carrier.

(2) Any other interest in a former railroad right-of-way that has been acquired or is operated by a land management company or similar entity.

"Special circumstances" means either or both of the following:

(1) The characteristics of a segment of a railroad right-of-way not found in a typical segment of a railroad right-of-way that enhance the value or increase the damages or the engineering or construction expenses for the land management company associated with a proposed crossing, or to the current or reasonably anticipated use by a land management company of the railroad right-of-way, necessitating additional terms and conditions or compensation associated with a crossing.

(2) Variances from the standard specifications requested by the land management company.

"Special circumstances" may include, but is not limited to, the railroad right-of-way segment's relationship to other property, location in urban or other developed areas, the existence of unique topography or natural resources, or other characteristics or dangers inherent in the particular crossing or segment of the railroad right-of-way.

"Utility" shall include (1) public utilities as defined in Section 3-105 of the Public Utilities Act, (2) telecommunications carriers as defined in Section 13-202 of the Public Utilities Act, (3) electric cooperatives as defined in Section 3.4 of the Electric Supplier Act, (4) telephone or telecommunications cooperatives as defined in Section 13-212 of the Public Utilities Act, (5) rural water or waste water systems with 10,000 connections or less, (6) a holder as defined in Section 21-201 of the Public Utilities Act, (7) municipalities owning or operating utility systems consisting of public utilities as that term is defined in Section 11-117-2 of the Illinois Municipal Code, and (8) a cable operator that is issued a cable television franchise by the municipality or county pursuant to Section 11-42-11 of the Illinois Municipal Code or Section 5-1095 of the Counties Code, and (9) a provider of broadband service as that term is defined in Section 21-201 of the Public Utilities Act.

(Source: P.A. 99-525, eff. 6-30-16.)

Section 20. The Illinois Vehicle Code is amended by changing Section 18c-7401 as follows:

(625 ILCS 5/18c-7401) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 18c-7401)

Sec. 18c-7401. Safety Requirements for Track, Facilities, and Equipment.

(1) General Requirements. Each rail carrier shall, consistent with rules, orders, and regulations of the Federal Railroad Administration, construct, maintain, and operate all of its equipment, track, and other property in this State in such a manner as to pose no undue risk to its employees or the person or property of any member of the public.

(2) Adoption of Federal Standards. The track safety standards and accident/incident standards promulgated by the Federal Railroad Administration shall be safety standards of the Commission. The Commission may, in addition, adopt by reference in its regulations other federal railroad safety standards, whether contained in federal statutes or in regulations adopted pursuant to such statutes.

(3) Railroad Crossings. No public road, highway, or street shall hereafter be constructed across the track of any rail carrier at grade, nor shall the track of any rail carrier be constructed across a public road, highway or street at grade, without having first secured the permission of the Commission; provided, that this Section shall not apply to the replacement of lawfully existing roads, highways and tracks. No public pedestrian bridge or subway shall be constructed across the track of any rail carrier without having first secured the permission of the Commission. The Commission shall have the right to refuse its permission or to grant it upon such terms and conditions as it may prescribe. The Commission shall have power to determine and prescribe the manner, including the particular point of crossing, and the terms of installation, operation, maintenance, use and protection of each such crossing.

The Commission shall also have power, after a hearing, to require major alteration of or to abolish any crossing, heretofore or hereafter established, when in its opinion, the public safety requires such alteration or abolition, and, except in cities, villages and incorporated towns of 1,000,000 or more inhabitants, to vacate and close that part of the highway on such crossing altered or abolished and cause barricades to be erected across such highway in such manner as to prevent the use of such crossing as a highway, when, in the opinion of the Commission, the public convenience served by the crossing in question is not such as to justify the further retention thereof; or to require a separation of grades, at railroad-highway grade crossings; or to require a separation of grades at any proposed crossing where a proposed public highway may cross the tracks of any rail carrier or carriers; and to prescribe, after a hearing of the parties, the terms upon which such separations shall be made and the proportion in which the expense of the alteration or abolition of such crossings or the separation of such grades, having regard to the benefits, if any, accruing to the rail carrier or any party in interest, shall be divided between the rail carrier or carriers affected, or between such carrier or carriers and the State, county, municipality or other public authority in interest. However, a public hearing by the Commission to abolish a crossing shall not be required when the public highway authority in interest vacates the highway. In such instance the rail carrier, following notification to the Commission and the highway authority, shall remove any grade crossing warning devices and the grade crossing surface.

The Commission shall also have power by its order to require the reconstruction, minor alteration, minor relocation or improvement of any crossing (including the necessary highway approaches thereto) of any railroad across any highway or public road, pedestrian bridge, or pedestrian subway, whether such crossing be at grade or by overhead structure or by subway, whenever the Commission finds after a hearing or without a hearing as otherwise provided in this paragraph that such reconstruction, alteration, relocation or improvement is necessary to preserve or promote the safety or convenience of the public or of the employees or passengers of such rail carrier or carriers. By its original order or supplemental orders in such case, the Commission may direct such reconstruction, alteration, relocation, or improvement to be made in such manner and upon such terms and conditions as may be reasonable and necessary and may apportion the cost of such reconstruction, alteration, relocation or improvement and the subsequent maintenance thereof, having regard to the benefits, if any, accruing to the railroad or any party in interest, between the rail carrier or carriers and public utilities affected, or between such carrier or carriers and public utilities and the State, county, municipality or other public authority in interest. The cost to be so apportioned shall include the cost of changes or alterations in the equipment of public utilities affected as well as the cost of the relocation, diversion or establishment of any public highway, made necessary by such reconstruction, alteration, relocation or improvement of said crossing. A hearing shall not be required in those instances when the Commission enters an order confirming a written stipulation in which the Commission, the public highway authority or other public authority in interest, the rail carrier or carriers affected, and in instances involving the use of the Grade Crossing Protection Fund, the Illinois Department of Transportation, agree on the reconstruction, alteration, relocation, or improvement and the subsequent maintenance thereof and the division of costs of such changes of any grade crossing (including the necessary highway approaches thereto) of any railroad across any highway, pedestrian bridge, or pedestrian subway.

Every rail carrier operating in the State of Illinois shall construct and maintain every highway crossing over its tracks within the State so that the roadway at the intersection shall be as flush with the rails as superelevated curves will allow, and, unless otherwise ordered by the Commission, shall construct and maintain the approaches thereto at a grade of not more than 5% within the right of way for a distance of not less the 6 feet on each side of the centerline of such tracks; provided, that the grades at the approaches may be maintained in excess of 5% only when authorized by the Commission.

Every rail carrier operating within this State shall remove from its right of way at all railroad-highway grade crossings within the State, such brush, shrubbery, and trees as is reasonably practical for a distance of not less than 500 feet in either direction from each grade crossing. The Commission shall have power, upon its own motion, or upon complaint, and after having made proper investigation, to require the installation of adequate and appropriate luminous reflective warning signs, luminous flashing signals, crossing gates illuminated at night, or other protective devices in order to promote and safeguard the health and safety of the public. Luminous flashing signal or crossing gate devices installed at grade crossings, which have been approved by the Commission, shall be deemed adequate and appropriate. The Commission shall have authority to determine the number, type, and location of such signs, signals, gates, or other protective devices which, however, shall conform as near as may be with generally recognized national standards, and the Commission shall have authority to prescribe the division of the cost of the installation and subsequent maintenance of such signs, signals, gates, or other protective devices between the rail carrier or carriers, the public highway authority or other public authority in interest, and in instances involving the use of the Grade Crossing Protection Fund, the Illinois Department of Transportation. Except where train crews provide flagging of the crossing to road users, yield signs shall be installed at all highway intersections with every grade crossing in this State that is not equipped with automatic warning devices, such as luminous flashing signals or crossing gate devices. A stop sign may be used in lieu of the yield sign when an engineering study conducted in cooperation with the highway authority and the Illinois Department of Transportation has determined that a stop sign is warranted. If the Commission has ordered the installation of luminous flashing signal or crossing gate devices at a grade crossing not equipped with active warning devices, the Commission shall order the installation of temporary stop signs at the highway intersection with the grade crossing unless an engineering study has determined that a stop sign is not appropriate. If a stop sign is not appropriate, the Commission may order the installation of other appropriate supplemental signing as determined by an engineering study. The temporary signs shall remain in place until the luminous flashing signal or crossing gate devices have been installed. The rail carrier is responsible for the installation and subsequent maintenance of any required signs. The permanent signs shall be in place by July 1, 2011.

No railroad may change or modify the warning device system at a railroad-highway grade crossing, including warning systems interconnected with highway traffic control signals, without having first received the approval of the Commission. The Commission shall have the further power, upon application, upon its own motion, or upon complaint and after having made proper investigation, to require the interconnection of grade crossing warning devices with traffic control signals at highway intersections located at or near railroad crossings within the distances described by the State Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices adopted pursuant to Section 11-301 of this Code. In addition, State and local authorities may not install, remove, modernize, or otherwise modify traffic control signals at a highway intersection that is interconnected or proposed to be interconnected with grade crossing warning devices when the change affects the number, type, or location of traffic control devices on the track approach leg or legs of the intersection or the timing of the railroad preemption sequence of operation until the Commission has approved the installation, removal, modernization, or modification. Commission approval shall be limited to consideration of issues directly affecting the public safety at the railroad-highway grade crossing. The electrical circuit devices, alternate warning devices, and preemption sequences shall conform as nearly as possible, considering the particular characteristics of the crossing and intersection area, to the State manual adopted by the Illinois Department of Transportation pursuant to Section 11-301 of this Code and such federal standards as are made applicable by subsection (2) of this Section. In order to carry out this authority, the Commission shall have the authority to determine the number, type, and location of traffic control devices on the track approach leg or legs of the intersection and the timing of the railroad preemption sequence of operation. The Commission shall prescribe the division of costs for installation and maintenance of all devices required by this paragraph between the railroad or railroads and the highway authority in interest and in instances involving the use of the Grade Crossing Protection Fund or a State highway, the Illinois Department of Transportation.

Any person who unlawfully or maliciously removes, throws down, damages or defaces any sign, signal, gate or other protective device, located at or near any public grade crossing, shall be guilty of a petty offense and fined not less than $50 nor more than $200 for each offense. In addition to fines levied under the provisions of this Section a person adjudged guilty hereunder may also be directed to make restitution for the costs of repair or replacement, or both, necessitated by his misconduct.

It is the public policy of the State of Illinois to enhance public safety by establishing safe grade crossings. In order to implement this policy, the Illinois Commerce Commission is directed to conduct public hearings and to adopt specific criteria by July 1, 1994, that shall be adhered to by the Illinois Commerce Commission in determining if a grade crossing should be opened or abolished. The following factors shall be considered by the Illinois Commerce Commission in developing the specific criteria for opening and abolishing grade crossings:

(a) timetable speed of passenger trains;

(b) distance to an alternate crossing;

(c) accident history for the last 5 years;

(d) number of vehicular traffic and posted speed limits;

(e) number of freight trains and their timetable speeds;

(f) the type of warning device present at the grade crossing;

(g) alignments of the roadway and railroad, and the angle of intersection of those alignments;

(h) use of the grade crossing by trucks carrying hazardous materials, vehicles carrying passengers for hire, and school buses; and

(i) use of the grade crossing by emergency vehicles.

The Illinois Commerce Commission, upon petition to open or abolish a grade crossing, shall enter an order opening or abolishing the crossing if it meets the specific criteria adopted by the Commission.

Except as otherwise provided in this subsection (3), in no instance shall a grade crossing be permanently closed without public hearing first being held and notice of such hearing being published in an area newspaper of local general circulation.

(4) Freight Trains - Radio Communications. The Commission shall after hearing and order require that every main line railroad freight train operating on main tracks outside of yard limits within this State shall be equipped with a radio communication system. The Commission after notice and hearing may grant exemptions from the requirements of this Section as to secondary and branch lines.

(5) Railroad Bridges and Trestles - Walkway and Handrail. In cases in which the Commission finds the same to be practical and necessary for safety of railroad employees, bridges and trestles, over and upon which railroad trains are operated, shall include as a part thereof, a safe and suitable walkway and handrail on one side only of such bridge or trestle, and such handrail shall be located at the outer edge of the walkway and shall provide a clearance of not less than 8 feet, 6 inches, from the center line of the nearest track, measured at right angles thereto.

(6) Packages Containing Articles for First Aid to Injured on Trains.

(a) All rail carriers shall provide a first aid kit that contains, at a minimum, those articles prescribed by the Commission, on each train or engine, for first aid to persons who may be injured in the course of the operation of such trains.

(b) A vehicle, excluding a taxi cab used in an emergency situation, operated by a contract carrier transporting railroad employees in the course of their employment shall be equipped with a readily available first aid kit that contains, as a minimum, the same articles that are required on each train or engine.

(7) Abandoned Bridges, Crossings, and Other Rail Plant. The Commission shall have authority, after notice and hearing, to order:

(a) The removal of any abandoned railroad tracks from roads, streets or other thoroughfares in this State; and

(b) The removal of abandoned overhead railroad structures crossing highways, waterways, or railroads.

The Commission may equitably apportion the cost of such actions between the rail carrier or carriers, public utilities, and the State, county, municipality, township, road district, or other public authority in interest.

(8) Railroad-Highway Bridge Clearance. A vertical clearance of not less than 23 feet above the top of rail shall be provided for all new or reconstructed highway bridges constructed over a railroad track. The Commission may permit a lesser clearance if it determines that the 23 foot clearance standard cannot be justified based on engineering, operational, and economic conditions.

(9) Right of Access To Railroad Property.

(a) A community antenna television company franchised by a municipality or county pursuant to the Illinois Municipal Code or the Counties Code, respectively, shall not enter upon any real estate or rights-of-way in the possession or control of a railroad subject to the jurisdiction of the Illinois Commerce Commission unless the community antenna television company first complies with the applicable provisions of subparagraph (f) of Section 11-42-11.1 of the Illinois Municipal Code or subparagraph (f) of Section 5-1096 of the Counties Code.

(b) Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, this subsection (9) applies to all entries of railroad rights-of-way involving a railroad subject to the jurisdiction of the Illinois Commerce Commission by a community antenna television company and shall govern in the event of any conflict with any other provision of law.

(c) This subsection (9) applies to any entry upon any real estate or right-of-way in the possession or control of a railroad subject to the jurisdiction of the Illinois Commerce Commission for the purpose of or in connection with the construction, or installation of a community antenna television company's system or facilities commenced or renewed on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 100th General Assembly.

(d) Nothing in this amendatory Act of the 100th General Assembly shall be construed to prevent a railroad from negotiating other terms and conditions or the resolution of any dispute in relation to an entry upon or right of access as set forth in this subsection (9).

(e) For purposes of this subsection (9):

"Broadband service", "cable operator", and "holder" have the meanings given to those terms under Section 21-201 of the Public Utilities Act.

"Community antenna television company" includes, in the case of real estate or rights-of-way in possession of or in control of a railroad, a holder, cable operator, or broadband service provider.

(f) Beginning on the effective date this amendatory Act of the 100th General Assembly, the Transportation Division of the Illinois Commerce Commission shall include in its annual Crossing Safety Improvement Program report a brief description of the number of cases decided by the Illinois Commerce Commission and the number of cases that remain pending before the Illinois Commerce Commission under this subsection (9) for the period covered by the report.

(Source: P.A. 96-470, eff. 8-14-09; 97-374, eff. 1-1-12.)

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