HB5277 EngrossedLRB103 37474 MXP 67597 b

1    AN ACT concerning transportation.
 
2    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
3represented in the General Assembly:
 
4    Section 5. The Department of Transportation Law of the
5Civil Administrative Code of Illinois is amended by adding
6Section 2705-630 as follows:
 
7    (20 ILCS 2705/2705-630 new)
8    Sec. 2705-630. Transit-to-Trails Grant Program.
9    (a) The Secretary of Transportation shall establish a
10grant program, to be known as the "Transit-to-Trails Grant
11Program", under which the Secretary shall award grants to
12eligible entities for projects that facilitate travel by
13public transportation to public outdoor recreation sites for
14outdoor activities, including hiking, biking, boating,
15picnicking, hunting, fishing, wildlife observation, or other
16nature-based activities. Projects that may receive funding
17through the grant program include, but are not limited to,
18projects that lead to:
19        (1) altered or expanded operation of existing transit
20    service to accommodate increased access by the public to
21    outdoor recreation activities;
22        (2) new or improved infrastructure to facilitate safe,
23    convenient access to outdoor recreation sites, including,

 

 

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1    but not limited to, stations, stops, shelters, and bicycle
2    infrastructure; and
3        (3) public outreach, education, and engagement efforts
4    to inform the public and encourage use of transit and
5    access to outdoor recreation.
6    (b) The Secretary shall offer grants through the
7Transit-to-Trails program on an annual basis. The Department
8of Transportation shall adopt rules necessary to implement and
9administer the program.
10    (c) Eligible recipients of grants under the program shall
11include:
12        (1) public transit agencies;
13        (2) owners of outdoor recreation lands accessible by
14    the general public, including parks districts,
15    conservation districts, forest preserve districts;
16        (3) units of local government, State agencies, and
17    nonprofit organizations engaged in facilitating outdoor
18    recreation opportunities.
19    (d) In considering grant applications, the Department
20shall prioritize projects with demonstrated intent to enhance
21access to outdoor recreation opportunities for populations in
22greatest need of improved access to outdoor nature-based
23recreation. These populations shall be defined as residents
24of:
25        (1) R3 Areas, as established under Section 10-40 of
26    the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act, where residents have

 

 

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1    historically been excluded from economic opportunities;
2        (2) environmental justice communities, as defined by
3    the Illinois Power Agency under the Illinois Power Agency
4    Act, where residents have historically been subject to
5    disproportionate burdens of pollution; and
6        (3) a community that can demonstrate to the Secretary
7    that the community has inadequate, insufficient, or no
8    park space or recreation facilities, including by
9    demonstrating:
10            (A) quality concerns relating to the available
11        park space or recreation facilities;
12            (B) the presence of recreational facilities that
13        do not serve the needs of the community;
14            (C) the inequitable distribution of park space for
15        high-need populations based on income, age, or other
16        measures of vulnerability and need; or
17            (D) at least 50% of the population is not located
18        within 1/2 mile of park space.
19    (e) Upon request, the Department shall provide technical
20assistance in preparing grant applications under this Section.
21Implementation of this Section is subject to appropriation by
22the General Assembly.