HB5113 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB102 24929 KTG 34181 b

102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2021 and 2022
HB5113

Introduced 1/27/2022, by Rep. Cyril Nichols

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

70 ILCS 3605/51
70 ILCS 3605/52
70 ILCS 3610/8.6
70 ILCS 3610/8.7
70 ILCS 3615/3A.15
70 ILCS 3615/3A.16
70 ILCS 3615/3B.14
70 ILCS 3615/3B.15
625 ILCS 5/3-806.10 new

Amends the Metropolitan Transit Authority Act, the Local Mass Transit District Act, the Regional Transportation Authority Act, and the Illinois Vehicle Code. Eliminates provisions conditioning the eligibility of a person 65 years of age or older or a person with a disability for the waiver or reduction of certain fees and charges upon income eligibility limitations. Effective January 1, 2023.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning the waiver or reduction of certain fees and charges.

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

Section 5. The Metropolitan Transit Authority Act is amended by changing Sections 51 and 52 as follows:

(70 ILCS 3605/51)

Sec. 51. Free services; eligibility. Beginning January 1, 2023 (a) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, no later than 60 days following the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 95th General Assembly and until subsection (b) is implemented, any fixed route public transportation services provided by, or under grant or purchase of service contracts of, the Board shall be provided without charge to all senior citizens of the Metropolitan Region (as "Metropolitan Region" such term is defined in Section 70 ILCS 3615/ 1.03 of the Regional Transportation Authority Act) aged 65 and older, under such conditions as shall be prescribed by the Board.

(b) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, no later than 180 days following the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 96th General Assembly, any fixed route public transportation services provided by, or under grant or purchase of service contracts of, the Board shall be provided without charge to senior citizens aged 65 and older who meet the income eligibility limitation set forth in subsection (a-5) of Section 4 of the Senior Citizens and Persons with Disabilities Property Tax Relief Act, under such conditions as shall be prescribed by the Board. The Department on Aging shall furnish all information reasonably necessary to determine eligibility, including updated lists of individuals who are eligible for services without charge under this Section. Nothing in this Section shall relieve the Board from providing reduced fares as may be required by federal law.

(Source: P.A. 99-143, eff. 7-27-15.)

(70 ILCS 3605/52)

Sec. 52. Transit services for individuals with disabilities. Beginning January 1, 2023 Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, no later than 60 days following the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 95th General Assembly, all fixed route public transportation services provided by, or under grant or purchase of service contract of, the Board shall be provided without charge to all persons with disabilities who meet the income eligibility limitation set forth in subsection (a-5) of Section 4 of the Senior Citizens and Persons with Disabilities Property Tax Relief Act, under such procedures as shall be prescribed by the Board. The Department on Aging shall furnish all information reasonably necessary to determine eligibility, including updated lists of individuals who are eligible for services without charge under this Section.

(Source: P.A. 99-143, eff. 7-27-15.)

Section 10. The Local Mass Transit District Act is amended by changing Sections 8.6 and 8.7 as follows:

(70 ILCS 3610/8.6)

Sec. 8.6. Free services; eligibility. Beginning January 1, 2023 (a) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, no later than 60 days following the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 95th General Assembly and until subsection (b) is implemented, any fixed route public transportation services provided by, or under grant or purchase of service contracts of, every District shall be provided without charge to all senior citizens of the District aged 65 and older, under such conditions as shall be prescribed by the District.

(b) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, no later than 180 days following the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 96th General Assembly, any fixed route public transportation services provided by, or under grant or purchase of service contracts of, every District shall be provided without charge to senior citizens aged 65 and older who meet the income eligibility limitation set forth in subsection (a-5) of Section 4 of the Senior Citizens and Persons with Disabilities Property Tax Relief Act, under such conditions as shall be prescribed by the District. The Department on Aging shall furnish all information reasonably necessary to determine eligibility, including updated lists of individuals who are eligible for services without charge under this Section. Nothing in this Section shall relieve the District from providing reduced fares as may be required by federal law.

(Source: P.A. 99-143, eff. 7-27-15.)

(70 ILCS 3610/8.7)

Sec. 8.7. Transit services for individuals with disabilities. Beginning January 1, 2023 Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, no later than 60 days following the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 95th General Assembly, all fixed route public transportation services provided by, or under grant or purchase of service contract of, any District shall be provided without charge to all persons with disabilities who meet the income eligibility limitation set forth in subsection (a-5) of Section 4 of the Senior Citizens and Persons with Disabilities Property Tax Relief Act, under such procedures as shall be prescribed by the District. The Department on Aging shall furnish all information reasonably necessary to determine eligibility, including updated lists of individuals who are eligible for services without charge under this Section.

(Source: P.A. 99-143, eff. 7-27-15.)

Section 15. The Regional Transportation Authority Act is amended by changing Sections 3A.15, 3A.16, 3B.14, and 3B.15 as follows:

(70 ILCS 3615/3A.15)

Sec. 3A.15. Free services; eligibility.

Beginning January 1, 2023 (a) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, no later than 60 days following the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 95th General Assembly and until subsection (b) is implemented, any fixed route public transportation services provided by, or under grant or purchase of service contracts of, the Suburban Bus Board shall be provided without charge to all senior citizens of the Metropolitan Region aged 65 and older, under such conditions as shall be prescribed by the Suburban Bus Board.

(b) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, no later than 180 days following the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 96th General Assembly, any fixed route public transportation services provided by, or under grant or purchase of service contracts of, the Suburban Bus Board shall be provided without charge to senior citizens aged 65 and older who meet the income eligibility limitation set forth in subsection (a-5) of Section 4 of the Senior Citizens and Persons with Disabilities Property Tax Relief Act, under such conditions as shall be prescribed by the Suburban Bus Board. The Department on Aging shall furnish all information reasonably necessary to determine eligibility, including updated lists of individuals who are eligible for services without charge under this Section. Nothing in this Section shall relieve the Suburban Bus Board from providing reduced fares as may be required by federal law.

(Source: P.A. 99-143, eff. 7-27-15.)

(70 ILCS 3615/3A.16)

Sec. 3A.16. Transit services for individuals with disabilities. Beginning January 1, 2023 Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, no later than 60 days following the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 95th General Assembly, all fixed route public transportation services provided by, or under grant or purchase of service contract of, the Suburban Bus Board shall be provided without charge to all persons with disabilities who meet the income eligibility limitation set forth in subsection (a-5) of Section 4 of the Senior Citizens and Persons with Disabilities Property Tax Relief Act, under such procedures as shall be prescribed by the Board. The Department on Aging shall furnish all information reasonably necessary to determine eligibility, including updated lists of individuals who are eligible for services without charge under this Section.

(Source: P.A. 99-143, eff. 7-27-15.)

(70 ILCS 3615/3B.14)

Sec. 3B.14. Free services; eligibility. Beginning January 1, 2023 (a) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, no later than 60 days following the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 95th General Assembly and until subsection (b) is implemented, any fixed route public transportation services provided by, or under grant or purchase of service contracts of, the Commuter Rail Board shall be provided without charge to all senior citizens of the Metropolitan Region aged 65 and older, under such conditions as shall be prescribed by the Commuter Rail Board.

(b) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, no later than 180 days following the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 96th General Assembly, any fixed route public transportation services provided by, or under grant or purchase of service contracts of, the Commuter Rail Board shall be provided without charge to senior citizens aged 65 and older who meet the income eligibility limitation set forth in subsection (a-5) of Section 4 of the Senior Citizens and Persons with Disabilities Property Tax Relief Act, under such conditions as shall be prescribed by the Commuter Rail Board. The Department on Aging shall furnish all information reasonably necessary to determine eligibility, including updated lists of individuals who are eligible for services without charge under this Section. Nothing in this Section shall relieve the Commuter Rail Board from providing reduced fares as may be required by federal law.

(Source: P.A. 99-143, eff. 7-27-15.)

(70 ILCS 3615/3B.15)

Sec. 3B.15. Transit services for individuals with disabilities. Beginning January 1, 2023 Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, no later than 60 days following the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 95th General Assembly, all fixed route public transportation services provided by, or under grant or purchase of service contract of, the Commuter Rail Board shall be provided without charge to all persons with disabilities who meet the income eligibility limitation set forth in subsection (a-5) of Section 4 of the Senior Citizens and Persons with Disabilities Property Tax Relief Act, under such procedures as shall be prescribed by the Board. The Department on Aging shall furnish all information reasonably necessary to determine eligibility, including updated lists of individuals who are eligible for services without charge under this Section.

(Source: P.A. 99-143, eff. 7-27-15.)

Section 20. The Illinois Vehicle Code is amended by adding Section 3-806.10 as follows:

(625 ILCS 5/3-806.10 new)

Sec. 3-806.10. Fee reduction or waiver eligibility. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, beginning with the next registration year after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 102nd General Assembly, if a provision of Section 3-609, 3-623, 3-626, 3-667, 3-683, 3-806.3, or 11-1301.2 conditions the eligibility of a person 65 years of age or older or a person with a disability for a waiver or reduction of a fee or charge upon approval for benefits or a grant under the Senior Citizens and Persons with Disabilities Property Tax Relief Act, no income eligibility limitation shall apply and a person who meets all other applicable requirements for the waiver or reduction shall be granted the waiver or reduction without regard to the person's income.

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect January 1, 2023.