HB3775 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB102 15183 RAM 20538 b

102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2021 and 2022
HB3775

Introduced 2/22/2021, by Rep. Aaron M. Ortiz

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

70 ILCS 3605/30	from Ch. 111 2/3, par. 330
70 ILCS 3610/8.6
70 ILCS 3615/3A.15
70 ILCS 3615/3B.14

Amends the Metropolitan Transit Authority Act, the Local Mass Transit District Act, and the Regional Transportation Authority Act. Provides that the various transportation authorities shall provide free transportation during general election days, under such conditions as shall be prescribed by the respective authorities.

STATE MANDATES ACT MAY REQUIRE REIMBURSEMENT MAY APPLY

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning transportation.

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 Section 30 as follows:

(70 ILCS 3605/30) (from Ch. 111 2/3, par. 330)

Sec. 30. The Board shall make all rules and regulations governing the operation of the transportation system, shall determine all routings and change the same whenever it is deemed advisable by the Board, subject to the provisions of any ordinance granting rights to the Authority. Except as provided in Sections 2.04 and 4.11(b)(5) of the Regional Transportation Authority Act, the Board shall fix rates, fares and charges for transportation, provided that they shall be at all times sufficient in the aggregate to provide revenues (a) for the payment of the interest on and principal of all bonds, certificates and other obligations payable from said revenues and to meet all other charges upon such revenues as provided by any trust agreement executed by the Authority in connection with the issuance of bonds or certificates under this Act, (b) for the payment of all operating costs including all charges which may be incurred pursuant to Sections 29 and 39 of this Act and all other costs and charges incidental to the operation of the transportation system, (c) for the payment of all costs and charges incurred pursuant to Sections 37 and 38 of this Act and any other costs and charges for acquisition, installation, construction or for replacement or reconstruction of equipment, structures or rights of way not financed through issuance of bonds or certificates under Section 12 of this Act, and (d) for any compensation required to be paid to any municipality for the use of streets, subways and other public ways. The Board may provide free transportation within any municipality in and by which they are employed for firemen and public health nurses, when in uniform, and policemen when in uniform or, when not in uniform, upon presentation of identification as policemen, and shall provide free transportation to sworn law enforcement personnel of the Cook County Sheriff's Department when in uniform or, when not in uniform, upon presentation of identification as sworn law enforcement personnel of the Cook County Sheriff's Department, and may provide free transportation for employees of the Authority when in uniform or upon presentation of identification as such employees, and may enter into agreements with the United States Post Office Department for the transportation of mail, and the payment of compensation to the Authority in lieu of fares for the transportation of letter carriers, when in uniform at all times.

The Board may also provide free transportation, or transportation at reduced fares, to all or designated classes of pupils in attendance at public schools of school districts within or partly within the territorial limits of the Authority, or in attendance at private schools offering grades of instruction comparable to those offered in public schools, under such conditions as shall be prescribed by the Board, and, if otherwise authorized by law, the Board may contract with public school boards and representatives of private schools, for reimbursement of pupil transportation costs from public funds.

The Board shall provide free transportation to all residents within the territorial limits of the Authority during general election days, under such conditions as shall be prescribed by the Board.

(Source: P.A. 97-85, eff. 7-7-11.)

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

(70 ILCS 3610/8.6)

Sec. 8.6. Free services; eligibility.

(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.

(c) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, any fixed route public bus transportation services provided by, or under grant or purchase of services contracts of, every District shall be provided without charge to all District residents during general election days, under such conditions as shall be prescribed by the District.

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

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

(70 ILCS 3615/3A.15)

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

(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.

(c) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, any fixed route public bus transportation services provided by, or under grant or purchase of services contracts of, the Suburban Bus Board shall be provided without charge to all residents of the Metropolitan Region during general election days, under such conditions as shall be prescribed by the Board.

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

(70 ILCS 3615/3B.14)

Sec. 3B.14. Free services; eligibility.

(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.

(c) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, any fixed route public commuter rail transportation services provided by, or under grant or purchase of services contracts of, the Commuter Rail Board shall be provided without charge to all residents of the Metropolitan Region during general election days, under such conditions as shall be prescribed by the Board.

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