SB1920enr 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SB1920 Enrolled LRB095 17927 HLH 44009 b

AN ACT concerning local government.

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

Section 3. The Downstate Public Transportation Act is amended by changing Section 2-7 and adding Section 2-15.3 as follows:

(30 ILCS 740/2-7) (from Ch. 111 2/3, par. 667)

Sec. 2-7. Quarterly reports; annual audit.

(a) Any Metro-East Transit District participant shall, no later than 60 days following the end of each quarter of any fiscal year, file with the Department on forms provided by the Department for that purpose, a report of the actual operating deficit experienced during that quarter. The Department shall, upon receipt of the quarterly report, determine whether the operating deficits were incurred in conformity with the program of proposed expenditures approved by the Department pursuant to Section 2-11. Any Metro-East District may either monthly or quarterly for any fiscal year file a request for the participant's eligible share, as allocated in accordance with Section 2-6, of the amounts transferred into the Metro-East Public Transportation Fund.

(b) Each participant other than any Metro-East Transit District participant shall, 30 days before the end of each quarter, file with the Department on forms provided by the Department for such purposes a report of the projected eligible operating expenses to be incurred in the next quarter and 30 days before the third and fourth quarters of any fiscal year a statement of actual eligible operating expenses incurred in the preceding quarters. Except as otherwise provided in subsection (b-5), within 45 days of receipt by the Department of such quarterly report, the Comptroller shall order paid and the Treasurer shall pay from the Downstate Public Transportation Fund to each participant an amount equal to one-third of such participant's eligible operating expenses; provided, however, that in Fiscal Year 1997, the amount paid to each participant from the Downstate Public Transportation Fund shall be an amount equal to 47% of such participant's eligible operating expenses and shall be increased to 49% in Fiscal Year 1998, 51% in Fiscal Year 1999, 53% in Fiscal Year 2000, 55% in Fiscal Years 2001 through 2007, and 65% in Fiscal Year 2008 and thereafter; however, in any year that a participant receives funding under subsection (i) of Section 2705-305 of the Department of Transportation Law (20 ILCS 2705/2705-305), that participant shall be eligible only for assistance equal to the following percentage of its eligible operating expenses: 42% in Fiscal Year 1997, 44% in Fiscal Year 1998, 46% in Fiscal Year 1999, 48% in Fiscal Year 2000, and 50% in Fiscal Year 2001 and thereafter. Any such payment for the third and fourth quarters of any fiscal year shall be adjusted to reflect actual eligible operating expenses for preceding quarters of such fiscal year. However, no participant shall receive an amount less than that which was received in the immediate prior year, provided in the event of a shortfall in the fund those participants receiving less than their full allocation pursuant to Section 2-6 of this Article shall be the first participants to receive an amount not less than that received in the immediate prior year.

(b-5) (Blank.)

(b-10) On July 1, 2008, each participant shall receive an appropriation in an amount equal to 65% of its fiscal year 2008 eligible operating expenses adjusted by the annual 10% increase required by Section 2-2.04 of this Act. In no case shall any participant receive an appropriation that is less than its fiscal year 2008 appropriation. Every fiscal year thereafter, each participant's appropriation shall increase by 10% over the appropriation established for the preceding fiscal year as required by Section 2-2.04 of this Act.

(b-15) Beginning on July 1, 2007, and for each fiscal year thereafter, each participant shall maintain a minimum local share contribution (from farebox and all other local revenues) equal to the actual amount provided in Fiscal Year 2006 or, for new recipients, an amount equivalent to the local share provided in the first year of participation. The local share contribution shall be reduced by an amount equal to the total amount of lost revenue for services provided under Section 2-15.2 and Section 2-15.3 of this Act.

(b-20) Any participant in the Downstate Public Transportation Fund may use State operating assistance pursuant to this Section to provide transportation services within any county that is contiguous to its territorial boundaries as defined by the Department and subject to Departmental approval. Any such contiguous-area service provided by a participant after July 1, 2007 must meet the requirements of subsection (a) of Section 2-5.1.

(c) No later than 180 days following the last day of the Fiscal Year each participant shall provide the Department with an audit prepared by a Certified Public Accountant covering that Fiscal Year. For those participants other than a Metro-East Transit District, any discrepancy between the grants paid and the percentage of the eligible operating expenses provided for by paragraph (b) of this Section shall be reconciled by appropriate payment or credit. In the case of any Metro-East Transit District, any amount of payments from the Metro-East Public Transportation Fund which exceed the eligible deficit of the participant shall be reconciled by appropriate payment or credit.

(Source: P.A. 94-70, eff. 6-22-05; 95-708, eff. 1-18-08.)

(30 ILCS 740/2-15.3 new)

Sec. 2-15.3. Transit services for disabled individuals. 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 participant shall be provided without charge to all disabled persons who meet the income eligibility limitation set forth in subsection (a-5) of Section 4 of the Senior Citizens and Disabled Persons Property Tax Relief and Pharmaceutical Assistance Act, under such procedures as shall be prescribed by the participant. 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.

Section 5. The Illinois Pension Code is amended by changing Section 22-101B as follows:

(40 ILCS 5/22-101B)

Sec. 22-101B. Health Care Benefits.

(a) The Chicago Transit Authority (hereinafter referred to in this Section as the "Authority") shall take all actions lawfully available to it to separate the funding of health care benefits for retirees and their dependents and survivors from the funding for its retirement system. The Authority shall endeavor to achieve this separation as soon as possible, and in any event no later than July 1, 2009.

(b) Effective 90 days after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 95th General Assembly, a Retiree Health Care Trust is established for the purpose of providing health care benefits to eligible retirees and their dependents and survivors in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in this Section 22-101B. The Retiree Health Care Trust shall be solely responsible for providing health care benefits to eligible retirees and their dependents and survivors by no later than July 1, 2009, but no earlier than January 1, 2009.

(1) The Board of Trustees shall consist of 7 members appointed as follows: (i) 3 trustees shall be appointed by the Chicago Transit Board; (ii) one trustee shall be appointed by an organization representing the highest number of Chicago Transit Authority participants; (iii) one trustee shall be appointed by an organization representing the second-highest number of Chicago Transit Authority participants; (iv) one trustee shall be appointed by the recognized coalition representatives of participants who are not represented by an organization with the highest or second-highest number of Chicago Transit Authority participants; and (v) one trustee shall be selected by the Regional Transportation Authority Board of Directors, and the trustee shall be a professional fiduciary who has experience in the area of collectively bargained retiree health plans. Trustees shall serve until a successor has been appointed and qualified, or until resignation, death, incapacity, or disqualification.

Any person appointed as a trustee of the board shall qualify by taking an oath of office that he or she will diligently and honestly administer the affairs of the system, and will not knowingly violate or willfully permit the violation of any of the provisions of law applicable to the Plan, including Sections 1-109, 1-109.1, 1-109.2, 1-110, 1-111, 1-114, and 1-115 of Article 1 of the Illinois Pension Code.

Each trustee shall cast individual votes, and a majority vote shall be final and binding upon all interested parties, provided that the Board of Trustees may require a supermajority vote with respect to the investment of the assets of the Retiree Health Care Trust, and may set forth that requirement in the trust agreement or by-laws of the Board of Trustees. Each trustee shall have the rights, privileges, authority and obligations as are usual and customary for such fiduciaries.

(2) The Board of Trustees shall establish and administer a health care benefit program for eligible retirees and their dependents and survivors. The health care benefit program for eligible retirees and their dependents and survivors shall not contain any plan which provides for more than 90% coverage for in-network services or 70% coverage for out-of-network services after any deductible has been paid.

(3) The Retiree Health Care Trust shall be administered by the Board of Trustees according to the following requirements:

(i) The Board of Trustees may cause amounts on deposit in the Retiree Health Care Trust to be invested in those investments that are permitted investments for the investment of moneys held under any one or more of the pension or retirement systems of the State, any unit of local government or school district, or any agency or instrumentality thereof. The Board, by a vote of at least two-thirds of the trustees, may transfer investment management to the Illinois State Board of Investment, which is hereby authorized to manage these investments when so requested by the Board of Trustees.

(ii) The Board of Trustees shall establish and maintain an appropriate funding reserve level which shall not be less than the amount of incurred and unreported claims plus 12 months of expected claims and administrative expenses.

(iii) The Board of Trustees shall make an annual assessment of the funding levels of the Retiree Health Care Trust and shall submit a report to the Auditor General at least 90 days prior to the end of the fiscal year. The report shall provide the following:

(A) the actuarial present value of projected benefits expected to be paid to current and future retirees and their dependents and survivors;

(B) the actuarial present value of projected contributions and trust income plus assets;

(C) the reserve required by subsection (b)(3)(ii); and

(D) an assessment of whether the actuarial present value of projected benefits expected to be paid to current and future retirees and their dependents and survivors exceeds or is less than the actuarial present value of projected contributions and trust income plus assets in excess of the reserve required by subsection (b)(3)(ii).

If the actuarial present value of projected benefits expected to be paid to current and future retirees and their dependents and survivors exceeds the actuarial present value of projected contributions and trust income plus assets in excess of the reserve required by subsection (b)(3)(ii), then the report shall provide a plan of increases in employee, retiree, dependent, or survivor contribution levels, decreases in benefit levels, or both, which is projected to cure the shortfall over a period of not more than 10 years. If the actuarial present value of projected benefits expected to be paid to current and future retirees and their dependents and survivors is less than the actuarial present value of projected contributions and trust income plus assets in excess of the reserve required by subsection (b)(3)(ii), then the report may provide a plan of decreases in employee, retiree, dependent, or survivor contribution levels, increases in benefit levels, or both, to the extent of the surplus.

(iv) The Auditor General shall review the report and plan provided in subsection (b)(3)(iii) and issue a determination within 90 days after receiving the report and plan, with a copy of such determination provided to the General Assembly and the Regional Transportation Authority, as follows:

(A) In the event of a projected shortfall, if the Auditor General determines that the assumptions stated in the report are not unreasonable in the aggregate and that the plan of increases in employee, retiree, dependent, or survivor contribution levels, decreases in benefit levels, or both, is reasonably projected to cure the shortfall over a period of not more than 10 years, then the Board of Trustees shall implement the plan. If the Auditor General determines that the assumptions stated in the report are unreasonable in the aggregate, or that the plan of increases in employee, retiree, dependent, or survivor contribution levels, decreases in benefit levels, or both, is not reasonably projected to cure the shortfall over a period of not more than 10 years, then the Board of Trustees shall not implement the plan, the Auditor General shall explain the basis for such determination to the Board of Trustees, and the Auditor General may make recommendations as to an alternative report and plan.

(B) In the event of a projected surplus, if the Auditor General determines that the assumptions stated in the report are not unreasonable in the aggregate and that the plan of decreases in employee, retiree, dependent, or survivor contribution levels, increases in benefit levels, or both, is not unreasonable in the aggregate, then the Board of Trustees shall implement the plan. If the Auditor General determines that the assumptions stated in the report are unreasonable in the aggregate, or that the plan of decreases in employee, retiree, dependent, or survivor contribution levels, increases in benefit levels, or both, is unreasonable in the aggregate, then the Board of Trustees shall not implement the plan, the Auditor General shall explain the basis for such determination to the Board of Trustees, and the Auditor General may make recommendations as to an alternative report and plan.

(C) The Board of Trustees shall submit an alternative report and plan within 45 days after receiving a rejection determination by the Auditor General. A determination by the Auditor General on any alternative report and plan submitted by the Board of Trustees shall be made within 90 days after receiving the alternative report and plan, and shall be accepted or rejected according to the requirements of this subsection (b)(3)(iv). The Board of Trustees shall continue to submit alternative reports and plans to the Auditor General, as necessary, until a favorable determination is made by the Auditor General.

(4) For any retiree who first retires effective on or after January 18, 2008 the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 95th General Assembly, to be eligible for retiree health care benefits upon retirement, the retiree must be at least 55 years of age, retire with 10 or more years of continuous service and satisfy the preconditions established by Public Act 95-708 this amendatory Act in addition to any rules or regulations promulgated by the Board of Trustees. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any retiree who retired prior to the effective date of this amendatory Act with 25 years or more of continuous service, or who retires within 90 days after the effective date of this amendatory Act or by January 1, 2009, whichever is later, with 25 years or more of continuous service, shall be eligible for retiree health care benefits upon retirement. This paragraph (4) shall not apply to a disability allowance.

(5) Effective January 1, 2009, the aggregate amount of retiree, dependent and survivor contributions to the cost of their health care benefits shall not exceed more than 45% of the total cost of such benefits. The Board of Trustees shall have the discretion to provide different contribution levels for retirees, dependents and survivors based on their years of service, level of coverage or Medicare eligibility, provided that the total contribution from all retirees, dependents, and survivors shall be not more than 45% of the total cost of such benefits. The term "total cost of such benefits" for purposes of this subsection shall be the total amount expended by the retiree health benefit program in the prior plan year, as calculated and certified in writing by the Retiree Health Care Trust's enrolled actuary to be appointed and paid for by the Board of Trustees.

(6) Effective January 18, 2008 30 days after the establishment of the Retiree Health Care Trust, all employees of the Authority shall contribute to the Retiree Health Care Trust in an amount not less than 3% of compensation.

(7) No earlier than January 1, 2009 and no later than July 1, 2009 as the Retiree Health Care Trust becomes solely responsible for providing health care benefits to eligible retirees and their dependents and survivors in accordance with subsection (b) of this Section 22-101B, the Authority shall not have any obligation to provide health care to current or future retirees and their dependents or survivors. Employees, retirees, dependents, and survivors who are required to make contributions to the Retiree Health Care Trust shall make contributions at the level set by the Board of Trustees pursuant to the requirements of this Section 22-101B.

(Source: P.A. 95-708, eff. 1-18-08.)

Section 10. If and only if the provisions of House Bill 656 of the 95th General Assembly become law, the Counties Code is amended by adding Section 6-34000 as follows:

(55 ILCS 5/6-34000 new)

Sec. 6-34000. Report on funds received under the Regional Transportation Authority Act. If the Board of the Regional Transportation Authority adopts an ordinance under Section 4.03 of the Regional Transportation Authority Act imposing a retailers' occupation tax and a service occupation tax at the rate of 0.75% in the counties of DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, and Will, then the County Boards of DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, and Will counties shall each report to the General Assembly and the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability by March 1 of the year following the adoption of the ordinance and March 1 of each year thereafter. That report shall include the total amounts received by the County under subsection (n) of Section 4.03 of the Regional Transportation Authority Act and the expenditures and obligations of the County using those funds during the previous calendar year.

Section 15. The Metropolitan Transit Authority Act is amended by adding Section 52 as follows:

(70 ILCS 3605/52 new)

Sec. 52. Transit services for disabled individuals. 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 disabled persons who meet the income eligibility limitation set forth in subsection (a-5) of Section 4 of the Senior Citizens and Disabled Persons Property Tax Relief and Pharmaceutical Assistance 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.

Section 20. The Local Mass Transit District Act is amended by adding Section 8.7 as follows:

(70 ILCS 3610/8.7 new)

Sec. 8.7. Transit services for disabled individuals. 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 disabled persons who meet the income eligibility limitation set forth in subsection (a-5) of Section 4 of the Senior Citizens and Disabled Persons Property Tax Relief and Pharmaceutical Assistance 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.

Section 25. The Regional Transportation Authority Act is amended by changing Sections 3A.02, 3A.05, 3A.12, 4.01, 4.09, and 5.01 and adding Sections 3A.16 and 3B.15 as follows:

(70 ILCS 3615/3A.02) (from Ch. 111 2/3, par. 703A.02)

Sec. 3A.02. Suburban Bus Board. The governing body of the Suburban Bus Division shall be a board consisting of 13 12 directors appointed as follows:

(a) Six Directors appointed by the members of the Cook County Board elected from that part of Cook County outside of Chicago, or in the event such Board of Commissioners becomes elected from single member districts, by those Commissioners elected from districts, a majority of the residents of which reside outside of Chicago from the chief executive officers of the municipalities, of that portion of Cook County outside of Chicago. Provided however, that:

(i) One of the Directors shall be the chief executive officer of a municipality within the area of the Northwest Region defined in Section 3A.13;

(ii) One of the Directors shall be the chief executive officer of a municipality within the area of the North Central Region defined in Section 3A.13;

(iii) One of the Directors shall be the chief executive officer of a municipality within the area of the North Shore Region defined in Section 3A.13;

(iv) One of the Directors shall be the chief executive officer of a municipality within the area of the Central Region defined in Section 3A.13;

(v) One of the Directors shall be the chief executive officer of a municipality within the area of the Southwest Region defined in Section 3A.13;

(vi) One of the Directors shall be the chief executive officer of a municipality within the area of the South Region defined in Section 3A.13;

(b) One Director by the Chairman of the Kane County Board who shall be a chief executive officer of a municipality within Kane County;

(c) One Director by the Chairman of the Lake County Board who shall be a chief executive officer of a municipality within Lake County;

(d) One Director by the Chairman of the DuPage County Board who shall be a chief executive officer of a municipality within DuPage County;

(e) One Director by the Chairman of the McHenry County Board who shall be a chief executive officer of a municipality within McHenry County;

(f) One Director by the Chairman of the Will County Board who shall be a chief executive officer of a municipality within Will County;

(g) The Commissioner of the Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities, from the City of Chicago, who shall serve as an ex-officio member; and

(h) (g) The Chairman by the Governor for the initial term, and thereafter by a majority of the Chairmen of the DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry and Will County Boards and the members of the Cook County Board elected from that part of Cook County outside of Chicago, or in the event such Board of Commissioners is elected from single member districts, by those Commissioners elected from districts, a majority of the electors of which reside outside of Chicago; and who after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 95th General Assembly may not be a resident of the City of Chicago.

Each appointment made under paragraphs (a) through (g) and under Section 3A.03 shall be certified by the appointing authority to the Suburban Bus Board which shall maintain the certifications as part of the official records of the Suburban Bus Board; provided that the initial appointments shall be certified to the Secretary of State, who shall transmit the certifications to the Suburban Bus Board following its organization.

For the purposes of this Section, "chief executive officer of a municipality" includes a former chief executive officer of a municipality within the specified Region or County, provided that the former officer continues to reside within such Region or County.

(Source: P.A. 84-1246.)

(70 ILCS 3615/3A.05) (from Ch. 111 2/3, par. 703A.05)

Sec. 3A.05. Appointment of officers and employees. The Suburban Bus Board shall appoint an Executive Director who shall be the chief executive officer of the Division, appointed, retained or dismissed with the concurrence of 9 8 of the directors of the Suburban Bus Board. The Executive Director shall appoint, retain and employ officers, attorneys, agents, engineers, employees and shall organize the staff, shall allocate their functions and duties, fix compensation and conditions of employment, and consistent with the policies of and direction from the Suburban Bus Board take all actions necessary to achieve its purposes, fulfill its responsibilities and carry out its powers, and shall have such other powers and responsibilities as the Suburban Bus Board shall determine. The Executive Director shall be an individual of proven transportation and management skills and may not be a member of the Suburban Bus Board. The Division may employ its own professional management personnel to provide professional and technical expertise concerning its purposes and powers and to assist it in assessing the performance of transportation agencies in the metropolitan region.

No unlawful discrimination, as defined and prohibited in the Illinois Human Rights Act, shall be made in any term or aspect of employment nor shall there be discrimination based upon political reasons or factors. The Suburban Bus Board shall establish regulations to insure that its discharges shall not be arbitrary and that hiring and promotion are based on merit.

The Division shall be subject to the "Illinois Human Rights Act", as now or hereafter amended, and the remedies and procedure established thereunder. The Suburban Bus Board shall file an affirmative action program for employment by it with the Department of Human Rights to ensure that applicants are employed and that employees are treated during employment, without regard to unlawful discrimination. Such affirmative action program shall include provisions relating to hiring, upgrading, demotion, transfer, recruitment, recruitment advertising, selection for training and rates of pay or other forms of compensation.

(Source: P.A. 83-885; 83-886.)

(70 ILCS 3615/3A.12) (from Ch. 111 2/3, par. 703A.12)

Sec. 3A.12. Working Cash Borrowing. The Suburban Bus Board with the affirmative vote of 9 8 of its Directors may demand and direct the Board of the Authority to issue Working Cash Notes at such time and in such amounts and having such maturities as the Suburban Bus Board deems proper, provided however any such borrowing shall have been specifically identified in the budget of the Suburban Bus Board as approved by the Board of the Authority. Provided further, that the Suburban Bus Board may not demand and direct the Board of the Authority to have issued and have outstanding at any time in excess of $5,000,000 in Working Cash Notes.

(Source: P.A. 83-886.)

(70 ILCS 3615/3A.16 new)

Sec. 3A.16. Transit services for disabled individuals. 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 disabled persons who meet the income eligibility limitation set forth in subsection (a-5) of Section 4 of the Senior Citizens and Disabled Persons Property Tax Relief and Pharmaceutical Assistance 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.

(70 ILCS 3615/3B.15 new)

Sec. 3B.15. Transit services for disabled individuals. 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 disabled persons who meet the income eligibility limitation set forth in subsection (a-5) of Section 4 of the Senior Citizens and Disabled Persons Property Tax Relief and Pharmaceutical Assistance 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.

(70 ILCS 3615/4.01) (from Ch. 111 2/3, par. 704.01)

Sec. 4.01. Budget and Program.

(a) The Board shall control the finances of the Authority. It shall by ordinance adopted by the affirmative vote of at least 12 of its then Directors (i) appropriate money to perform the Authority's purposes and provide for payment of debts and expenses of the Authority, (ii) take action with respect to the budget and two-year financial plan of each Service Board, as provided in Section 4.11, and (iii) adopt an Annual Budget and Two-Year Financial Plan for the Authority that includes the annual budget and two-year financial plan of each Service Board that has been approved by the Authority. The Annual Budget and Two-Year Financial Plan shall contain a statement of the funds estimated to be on hand for the Authority and each Service Board at the beginning of the fiscal year, the funds estimated to be received from all sources for such year, the estimated expenses and obligations of the Authority and each Service Board for all purposes, including expenses for contributions to be made with respect to pension and other employee benefits, and the funds estimated to be on hand at the end of such year. The fiscal year of the Authority and each Service Board shall begin on January 1st and end on the succeeding December 31st. By July 1st of each year the Director of the Illinois Governor's Office of Management and Budget (formerly Bureau of the Budget) shall submit to the Authority an estimate of revenues for the next fiscal year of the Authority to be collected from the taxes imposed by the Authority and the amounts to be available in the Public Transportation Fund and the Regional Transportation Authority Occupation and Use Tax Replacement Fund and the amounts otherwise to be appropriated by the State to the Authority for its purposes. The Authority shall file a copy of its Annual Budget and Two-Year Financial Plan with the General Assembly and the Governor after its adoption. Before the proposed Annual Budget and Two-Year Financial Plan is adopted, the Authority shall hold at least one public hearing thereon in the metropolitan region, and shall meet with the county board or its designee of each of the several counties in the metropolitan region. After conducting such hearings and holding such meetings and after making such changes in the proposed Annual Budget and Two-Year Financial Plan as the Board deems appropriate, the Board shall adopt its annual appropriation and Annual Budget and Two-Year Financial Plan ordinance. The ordinance may be adopted only upon the affirmative votes of 12 of its then Directors. The ordinance shall appropriate such sums of money as are deemed necessary to defray all necessary expenses and obligations of the Authority, specifying purposes and the objects or programs for which appropriations are made and the amount appropriated for each object or program. Additional appropriations, transfers between items and other changes in such ordinance may be made from time to time by the Board upon the affirmative votes of 12 of its then Directors.

(b) The Annual Budget and Two-Year Financial Plan shall show a balance between anticipated revenues from all sources and anticipated expenses including funding of operating deficits or the discharge of encumbrances incurred in prior periods and payment of principal and interest when due, and shall show cash balances sufficient to pay with reasonable promptness all obligations and expenses as incurred.

The Annual Budget and Two-Year Financial Plan must show:

(i) that the level of fares and charges for mass transportation provided by, or under grant or purchase of service contracts of, the Service Boards is sufficient to cause the aggregate of all projected fare revenues from such fares and charges received in each fiscal year to equal at least 50% of the aggregate costs of providing such public transportation in such fiscal year. "Fare revenues" include the proceeds of all fares and charges for services provided, contributions received in connection with public transportation from units of local government other than the Authority, except for contributions received by the Chicago Transit Authority from a real estate transfer tax imposed under subsection (i) of Section 8-3-19 of the Illinois Municipal Code, and from the State pursuant to subsection (i) of Section 2705-305 of the Department of Transportation Law (20 ILCS 2705/2705-305), and all other operating revenues properly included consistent with generally accepted accounting principles but do not include: the proceeds of any borrowings, and, beginning with the 2007 fiscal year, all revenues and receipts, including but not limited to fares and grants received from the federal, State or any unit of local government or other entity, derived from providing ADA paratransit service pursuant to Section 2.30 of the Regional Transportation Authority Act. "Costs" include all items properly included as operating costs consistent with generally accepted accounting principles, including administrative costs, but do not include: depreciation; payment of principal and interest on bonds, notes or other evidences of obligation for borrowed money issued by the Authority; payments with respect to public transportation facilities made pursuant to subsection (b) of Section 2.20 of this Act; any payments with respect to rate protection contracts, credit enhancements or liquidity agreements made under Section 4.14; any other cost to which it is reasonably expected that a cash expenditure will not be made; costs for passenger security including grants, contracts, personnel, equipment and administrative expenses, except in the case of the Chicago Transit Authority, in which case the term does not include costs spent annually by that entity for protection against crime as required by Section 27a of the Metropolitan Transit Authority Act; the payment by the Chicago Transit Authority of Debt Service, as defined in Section 12c of the Metropolitan Transit Authority Act, on bonds or notes issued pursuant to that Section; the payment by the Commuter Rail Division of debt service on bonds issued pursuant to Section 3B.09; expenses incurred by the Suburban Bus Division for the cost of new public transportation services funded from grants pursuant to Section 2.01e of this amendatory Act of the 95th General Assembly for a period of 2 years from the date of initiation of each such service; costs as exempted by the Board for projects pursuant to Section 2.09 of this Act; or, beginning with the 2007 fiscal year, expenses related to providing ADA paratransit service pursuant to Section 2.30 of the Regional Transportation Authority Act; and in fiscal years 2008 through 2012 inclusive, costs in the amount of $200,000,000 in fiscal year 2008, reducing by $40,000,000 in each fiscal year thereafter until this exemption is eliminated; and

(ii) that the level of fares charged for ADA paratransit services is sufficient to cause the aggregate of all projected revenues from such fares charged and received in each fiscal year to equal at least 10% of the aggregate costs of providing such ADA paratransit services. in fiscal years 2007 and 2008 and at least 12% of the aggregate costs of providing such ADA paratransit services in fiscal years 2009 and thereafter; for For purposes of this Act, the percentages in this subsection (b)(ii) shall be referred to as the "system generated ADA paratransit services revenue recovery ratio". For purposes of the system generated ADA paratransit services revenue recovery ratio, "costs" shall include all items properly included as operating costs consistent with generally accepted accounting principles. However, the Board may exclude from costs an amount that does not exceed the allowable "capital costs of contracting" for ADA paratransit services pursuant to the Federal Transit Administration guidelines for the Urbanized Area Formula Program.

(c) The actual administrative expenses of the Authority for the fiscal year commencing January 1, 1985 may not exceed $5,000,000. The actual administrative expenses of the Authority for the fiscal year commencing January 1, 1986, and for each fiscal year thereafter shall not exceed the maximum administrative expenses for the previous fiscal year plus 5%. "Administrative expenses" are defined for purposes of this Section as all expenses except: (1) capital expenses and purchases of the Authority on behalf of the Service Boards; (2) payments to Service Boards; and (3) payment of principal and interest on bonds, notes or other evidence of obligation for borrowed money issued by the Authority; (4) costs for passenger security including grants, contracts, personnel, equipment and administrative expenses; (5) payments with respect to public transportation facilities made pursuant to subsection (b) of Section 2.20 of this Act; and (6) any payments with respect to rate protection contracts, credit enhancements or liquidity agreements made pursuant to Section 4.14.

(d) This subsection applies only until the Department begins administering and enforcing an increased tax under Section 4.03(m) as authorized by this amendatory Act of the 95th General Assembly. After withholding 15% of the proceeds of any tax imposed by the Authority and 15% of money received by the Authority from the Regional Transportation Authority Occupation and Use Tax Replacement Fund, the Board shall allocate the proceeds and money remaining to the Service Boards as follows: (1) an amount equal to 85% of the proceeds of those taxes collected within the City of Chicago and 85% of the money received by the Authority on account of transfers to the Regional Transportation Authority Occupation and Use Tax Replacement Fund from the County and Mass Transit District Fund attributable to retail sales within the City of Chicago shall be allocated to the Chicago Transit Authority; (2) an amount equal to 85% of the proceeds of those taxes collected within Cook County outside the City of Chicago and 85% of the money received by the Authority on account of transfers to the Regional Transportation Authority Occupation and Use Tax Replacement Fund from the County and Mass Transit District Fund attributable to retail sales within Cook County outside of the city of Chicago shall be allocated 30% to the Chicago Transit Authority, 55% to the Commuter Rail Board and 15% to the Suburban Bus Board; and (3) an amount equal to 85% of the proceeds of the taxes collected within the Counties of DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry and Will shall be allocated 70% to the Commuter Rail Board and 30% to the Suburban Bus Board.

(e) This subsection applies only until the Department begins administering and enforcing an increased tax under Section 4.03(m) as authorized by this amendatory Act of the 95th General Assembly. Moneys received by the Authority on account of transfers to the Regional Transportation Authority Occupation and Use Tax Replacement Fund from the State and Local Sales Tax Reform Fund shall be allocated among the Authority and the Service Boards as follows: 15% of such moneys shall be retained by the Authority and the remaining 85% shall be transferred to the Service Boards as soon as may be practicable after the Authority receives payment. Moneys which are distributable to the Service Boards pursuant to the preceding sentence shall be allocated among the Service Boards on the basis of each Service Board's distribution ratio. The term "distribution ratio" means, for purposes of this subsection (e) of this Section 4.01, the ratio of the total amount distributed to a Service Board pursuant to subsection (d) of Section 4.01 for the immediately preceding calendar year to the total amount distributed to all of the Service Boards pursuant to subsection (d) of Section 4.01 for the immediately preceding calendar year.

(f) To carry out its duties and responsibilities under this Act, the Board shall employ staff which shall: (1) propose for adoption by the Board of the Authority rules for the Service Boards that establish (i) forms and schedules to be used and information required to be provided with respect to a five-year capital program, annual budgets, and two-year financial plans and regular reporting of actual results against adopted budgets and financial plans, (ii) financial practices to be followed in the budgeting and expenditure of public funds, (iii) assumptions and projections that must be followed in preparing and submitting its annual budget and two-year financial plan or a five-year capital program; (2) evaluate for the Board public transportation programs operated or proposed by the Service Boards and transportation agencies in terms of the goals and objectives set out in the Strategic Plan; (3) keep the Board and the public informed of the extent to which the Service Boards and transportation agencies are meeting the goals and objectives adopted by the Authority in the Strategic Plan; and (4) assess the efficiency or adequacy of public transportation services provided by a Service Board and make recommendations for change in that service to the end that the moneys available to the Authority may be expended in the most economical manner possible with the least possible duplication.

(g) All Service Boards, transportation agencies, comprehensive planning agencies, including the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning, or transportation planning agencies in the metropolitan region shall furnish to the Authority such information pertaining to public transportation or relevant for plans therefor as it may from time to time require. The Executive Director, or his or her designee, shall, for the purpose of securing any such information necessary or appropriate to carry out any of the powers and responsibilities of the Authority under this Act, have access to, and the right to examine, all books, documents, papers or records of a Service Board or any transportation agency receiving funds from the Authority or Service Board, and such Service Board or transportation agency shall comply with any request by the Executive Director, or his or her designee, within 30 days or an extended time provided by the Executive Director.

(h) No Service Board shall undertake any capital improvement which is not identified in the Five-Year Capital Program.

(Source: P.A. 94-370, eff. 7-29-05; 95-708, eff. 1-18-08.)

(70 ILCS 3615/4.09) (from Ch. 111 2/3, par. 704.09)

Sec. 4.09. Public Transportation Fund and the Regional Transportation Authority Occupation and Use Tax Replacement Fund.

(a)(1) As soon as possible after the first day of each month, beginning July 1, 1984, upon certification of the Department of Revenue, the Comptroller shall order transferred and the Treasurer shall transfer from the General Revenue Fund to a special fund in the State Treasury to be known as the Public Transportation Fund an amount equal to 25% of the net revenue, before the deduction of the serviceman and retailer discounts pursuant to Section 9 of the Service Occupation Tax Act and Section 3 of the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act, realized from any tax imposed by the Authority pursuant to Sections 4.03 and 4.03.1 and 25% of the amounts deposited into the Regional Transportation Authority tax fund created by Section 4.03 of this Act, from the County and Mass Transit District Fund as provided in Section 6z-20 of the State Finance Act and 25% of the amounts deposited into the Regional Transportation Authority Occupation and Use Tax Replacement Fund from the State and Local Sales Tax Reform Fund as provided in Section 6z-17 of the State Finance Act. On the first day of the month following the date that the Department receives revenues from increased taxes under Section 4.03(m) as authorized by this amendatory Act of the 95th General Assembly, in lieu of the transfers authorized in the preceding sentence, upon certification of the Department of Revenue, the Comptroller shall order transferred and the Treasurer shall transfer from the General Revenue Fund to the Public Transportation Fund an amount equal to 25% of the net revenue, before the deduction of the serviceman and retailer discounts pursuant to Section 9 of the Service Occupation Tax Act and Section 3 of the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act, realized from (i) 80% of the proceeds of any tax imposed by the Authority at a rate of 1.25% in Cook County, (ii) 75% of the proceeds of any tax imposed by the Authority at the rate of 1% in Cook County, and (iii) one-third of the proceeds of any tax imposed by the Authority at the rate of 0.75% in the Counties of DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, and Will, all pursuant to Section 4.03, and 25% of the net revenue realized from any tax imposed by the Authority pursuant to Section 4.03.1, and 25% of the amounts deposited into the Regional Transportation Authority tax fund created by Section 4.03 of this Act from the County and Mass Transit District Fund as provided in Section 6z-20 of the State Finance Act, and 25% of the amounts deposited into the Regional Transportation Authority Occupation and Use Tax Replacement Fund from the State and Local Sales Tax Reform Fund as provided in Section 6z-17 of the State Finance Act. As used in this Section, net revenue realized for a month shall be the revenue collected by the State pursuant to Sections 4.03 and 4.03.1 during the previous month from within the metropolitan region, less the amount paid out during that same month as refunds to taxpayers for overpayment of liability in the metropolitan region under Sections 4.03 and 4.03.1.

(2) On the first day of the month following the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 95th General Assembly and each month thereafter, upon certification by the Department of Revenue, the Comptroller shall order transferred and the Treasurer shall transfer from the General Revenue Fund to the Public Transportation Fund an amount equal to 5% of the net revenue, before the deduction of the serviceman and retailer discounts pursuant to Section 9 of the Service Occupation Tax Act and Section 3 of the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act, realized from any tax imposed by the Authority pursuant to Sections 4.03 and 4.03.1 and certified by the Department of Revenue under Section 4.03(n) of this Act to be paid to the Authority and 5% of the amounts deposited into the Regional Transportation Authority tax fund created by Section 4.03 of this Act from the County and Mass Transit District Fund as provided in Section 6z-20 of the State Finance Act, and 5% of the amounts deposited into the Regional Transportation Authority Occupation and Use Tax Replacement Fund from the State and Local Sales Tax Reform Fund as provided in Section 6z-17 of the State Finance Act, and 5% of the revenue realized by the Chicago Transit Authority as financial assistance from the City of Chicago from the proceeds of any tax imposed by the City of Chicago under Section 8-3-19 of the Illinois Municipal Code.

(3) As soon as possible after the first day of January, 2009 and each month thereafter, upon certification of the Department of Revenue with respect to the taxes collected under Section 4.03, the Comptroller shall order transferred and the Treasurer shall transfer from the General Revenue Fund to the Public Transportation Fund an amount equal to 25% of the net revenue, before the deduction of the serviceman and retailer discounts pursuant to Section 9 of the Service Occupation Tax Act and Section 3 of the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act, realized from (i) 20% of the proceeds of any tax imposed by the Authority at a rate of 1.25% in Cook County, (ii) 25% of the proceeds of any tax imposed by the Authority at the rate of 1% in Cook County, and (iii) one-third of the proceeds of any tax imposed by the Authority at the rate of 0.75% in the Counties of DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, and Will, all pursuant to Section 4.03, and the Comptroller shall order transferred and the Treasurer shall transfer from the General Revenue Fund to the Public Transportation Fund (iv) an amount equal to 25% of the revenue realized by the Chicago Transit Authority as financial assistance from the City of Chicago from the proceeds of any tax imposed by the City of Chicago under Section 8-3-19 of the Illinois Municipal Code.

(b)(1) All moneys deposited in the Public Transportation Fund and the Regional Transportation Authority Occupation and Use Tax Replacement Fund, whether deposited pursuant to this Section or otherwise, are allocated to the Authority. The Comptroller, as soon as possible after each monthly transfer provided in this Section and after each deposit into the Public Transportation Fund, shall order the Treasurer to pay to the Authority out of the Public Transportation Fund the amount so transferred or deposited. Any Additional State Assistance and Additional Financial Assistance paid to the Authority under this Section shall be expended by the Authority for its purposes as provided in this Act. The balance of the amounts paid to the Authority from the Public Transportation Fund shall be expended by the Authority as provided in Section 4.03.3. The Comptroller, as soon as possible after each deposit into the Regional Transportation Authority Occupation and Use Tax Replacement Fund provided in this Section and Section 6z-17 of the State Finance Act, shall order the Treasurer to pay to the Authority out of the Regional Transportation Authority Occupation and Use Tax Replacement Fund the amount so deposited. Such amounts paid to the Authority may be expended by it for its purposes as provided in this Act. The provisions directing the distributions from the Public Transportation Fund and the Regional Transportation Authority Occupation and Use Tax Replacement Fund provided for in this Section shall constitute an irrevocable and continuing appropriation of all amounts as provided herein. The State Treasurer and State Comptroller are hereby authorized and directed to make distributions as provided in this Section. (2) Provided, however, no moneys deposited under subsection (a) of this Section shall be paid from the Public Transportation Fund to the Authority or its assignee for any fiscal year until the Authority has certified to the Governor, the Comptroller, and the Mayor of the City of Chicago that it has adopted for that fiscal year an Annual Budget and Two-Year Financial Plan meeting the requirements in Section 4.01(b).

(c) In recognition of the efforts of the Authority to enhance the mass transportation facilities under its control, the State shall provide financial assistance ("Additional State Assistance") in excess of the amounts transferred to the Authority from the General Revenue Fund under subsection (a) of this Section. Additional State Assistance shall be calculated as provided in subsection (d), but shall in no event exceed the following specified amounts with respect to the following State fiscal years:

(c-5) The State shall provide financial assistance ("Additional Financial Assistance") in addition to the Additional State Assistance provided by subsection (c) and the amounts transferred to the Authority from the General Revenue Fund under subsection (a) of this Section. Additional Financial Assistance provided by this subsection shall be calculated as provided in subsection (d), but shall in no event exceed the following specified amounts with respect to the following State fiscal years:

(d) Beginning with State fiscal year 1990 and continuing for each State fiscal year thereafter, the Authority shall annually certify to the State Comptroller and State Treasurer, separately with respect to each of subdivisions (g)(2) and (g)(3) of Section 4.04 of this Act, the following amounts:

(1) The amount necessary and required, during the State fiscal year with respect to which the certification is made, to pay its obligations for debt service on all outstanding bonds or notes issued by the Authority under subdivisions (g)(2) and (g)(3) of Section 4.04 of this Act.

(2) An estimate of the amount necessary and required to pay its obligations for debt service for any bonds or notes which the Authority anticipates it will issue under subdivisions (g)(2) and (g)(3) of Section 4.04 during that State fiscal year.

(3) Its debt service savings during the preceding State fiscal year from refunding or advance refunding of bonds or notes issued under subdivisions (g)(2) and (g)(3) of Section 4.04.

(4) The amount of interest, if any, earned by the Authority during the previous State fiscal year on the proceeds of bonds or notes issued pursuant to subdivisions (g)(2) and (g)(3) of Section 4.04, other than refunding or advance refunding bonds or notes.

The certification shall include a specific schedule of debt service payments, including the date and amount of each payment for all outstanding bonds or notes and an estimated schedule of anticipated debt service for all bonds and notes it intends to issue, if any, during that State fiscal year, including the estimated date and estimated amount of each payment.

Immediately upon the issuance of bonds for which an estimated schedule of debt service payments was prepared, the Authority shall file an amended certification with respect to item (2) above, to specify the actual schedule of debt service payments, including the date and amount of each payment, for the remainder of the State fiscal year.

On the first day of each month of the State fiscal year in which there are bonds outstanding with respect to which the certification is made, the State Comptroller shall order transferred and the State Treasurer shall transfer from the General Revenue Fund to the Public Transportation Fund the Additional State Assistance and Additional Financial Assistance in an amount equal to the aggregate of (i) one-twelfth of the sum of the amounts certified under items (1) and (3) above less the amount certified under item (4) above, plus (ii) the amount required to pay debt service on bonds and notes issued during the fiscal year, if any, divided by the number of months remaining in the fiscal year after the date of issuance, or some smaller portion as may be necessary under subsection (c) or (c-5) of this Section for the relevant State fiscal year, plus (iii) any cumulative deficiencies in transfers for prior months, until an amount equal to the sum of the amounts certified under items (1) and (3) above, plus the actual debt service certified under item (2) above, less the amount certified under item (4) above, has been transferred; except that these transfers are subject to the following limits:

(A) In no event shall the total transfers in any State fiscal year relating to outstanding bonds and notes issued by the Authority under subdivision (g)(2) of Section 4.04 exceed the lesser of the annual maximum amount specified in subsection (c) or the sum of the amounts certified under items (1) and (3) above, plus the actual debt service certified under item (2) above, less the amount certified under item (4) above, with respect to those bonds and notes.

(B) In no event shall the total transfers in any State fiscal year relating to outstanding bonds and notes issued by the Authority under subdivision (g)(3) of Section 4.04 exceed the lesser of the annual maximum amount specified in subsection (c-5) or the sum of the amounts certified under items (1) and (3) above, plus the actual debt service certified under item (2) above, less the amount certified under item (4) above, with respect to those bonds and notes.

The term "outstanding" does not include bonds or notes for which refunding or advance refunding bonds or notes have been issued.

(e) Neither Additional State Assistance nor Additional Financial Assistance may be pledged, either directly or indirectly as general revenues of the Authority, as security for any bonds issued by the Authority. The Authority may not assign its right to receive Additional State Assistance or Additional Financial Assistance, or direct payment of Additional State Assistance or Additional Financial Assistance, to a trustee or any other entity for the payment of debt service on its bonds.

(f) The certification required under subsection (d) with respect to outstanding bonds and notes of the Authority shall be filed as early as practicable before the beginning of the State fiscal year to which it relates. The certification shall be revised as may be necessary to accurately state the debt service requirements of the Authority.

(g) Within 6 months of the end of each fiscal year, the Authority shall determine:

(i) whether the aggregate of all system generated revenues for public transportation in the metropolitan region which is provided by, or under grant or purchase of service contracts with, the Service Boards equals 50% of the aggregate of all costs of providing such public transportation. "System generated revenues" include all the proceeds of fares and charges for services provided, contributions received in connection with public transportation from units of local government other than the Authority, except for contributions received by the Chicago Transit Authority from a real estate transfer tax imposed under subsection (i) of Section 8-3-19 of the Illinois Municipal Code, and from the State pursuant to subsection (i) of Section 2705-305 of the Department of Transportation Law (20 ILCS 2705/2705-305), and all other revenues properly included consistent with generally accepted accounting principles but may not include: the proceeds from any borrowing, and, beginning with the 2007 fiscal year, all revenues and receipts, including but not limited to fares and grants received from the federal, State or any unit of local government or other entity, derived from providing ADA paratransit service pursuant to Section 2.30 of the Regional Transportation Authority Act. "Costs" include all items properly included as operating costs consistent with generally accepted accounting principles, including administrative costs, but do not include: depreciation; payment of principal and interest on bonds, notes or other evidences of obligations for borrowed money of the Authority; payments with respect to public transportation facilities made pursuant to subsection (b) of Section 2.20; any payments with respect to rate protection contracts, credit enhancements or liquidity agreements made under Section 4.14; any other cost as to which it is reasonably expected that a cash expenditure will not be made; costs for passenger security including grants, contracts, personnel, equipment and administrative expenses, except in the case of the Chicago Transit Authority, in which case the term does not include costs spent annually by that entity for protection against crime as required by Section 27a of the Metropolitan Transit Authority Act; the costs of Debt Service paid by the Chicago Transit Authority, as defined in Section 12c of the Metropolitan Transit Authority Act, or bonds or notes issued pursuant to that Section; the payment by the Commuter Rail Division of debt service on bonds issued pursuant to Section 3B.09; expenses incurred by the Suburban Bus Division for the cost of new public transportation services funded from grants pursuant to Section 2.01e of this amendatory Act of the 95th General Assembly for a period of 2 years from the date of initiation of each such service; costs as exempted by the Board for projects pursuant to Section 2.09 of this Act; or, beginning with the 2007 fiscal year, expenses related to providing ADA paratransit service pursuant to Section 2.30 of the Regional Transportation Authority Act; or in fiscal years 2008 through 2012 inclusive, costs in the amount of $200,000,000 in fiscal year 2008, reducing by $40,000,000 in each fiscal year thereafter until this exemption is eliminated. If said system generated revenues are less than 50% of said costs, the Board shall remit an amount equal to the amount of the deficit to the State. The Treasurer shall deposit any such payment in the General Revenue Fund; and

(ii) whether, beginning with the 2007 fiscal year, the aggregate of all fares charged and received for ADA paratransit services equals the system generated ADA paratransit services revenue recovery ratio percentage of the aggregate of all costs of providing such ADA paratransit services.

(h) If the Authority makes any payment to the State under paragraph (g), the Authority shall reduce the amount provided to a Service Board from funds transferred under paragraph (a) in proportion to the amount by which that Service Board failed to meet its required system generated revenues recovery ratio. A Service Board which is affected by a reduction in funds under this paragraph shall submit to the Authority concurrently with its next due quarterly report a revised budget incorporating the reduction in funds. The revised budget must meet the criteria specified in clauses (i) through (vi) of Section 4.11(b)(2). The Board shall review and act on the revised budget as provided in Section 4.11(b)(3).

(Source: P.A. 94-370, eff. 7-29-05; 95-708, eff. 1-18-08.)

(70 ILCS 3615/5.01) (from Ch. 111 2/3, par. 705.01)

Sec. 5.01. Hearings and Citizen Participation.

(a) The Authority shall provide for and encourage participation by the public in the development and review of public transportation policy, and in the process by which major decisions significantly affecting the provision of public transportation are made. The Authority shall coordinate such public participation processes with the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning to the extent practicable.

(b) The Authority shall hold such public hearings as may be required by this Act or as the Authority may deem appropriate to the performance of any of its functions. The Authority shall coordinate such public hearings with the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning to the extent practicable.

(c) Unless such items are specifically provided for either in the Five-Year Capital Program or in the annual budget program which has been the subject of public hearings as provided in Sections 2.01 or 4.01 of this Act, the Board shall hold public hearings at which citizens may be heard prior to:

(i) the construction or acquisition of any public transportation facility, the aggregate cost of which exceeds $5 million; and

(ii) the extension of, or major addition to services provided by the Authority or by any transportation agency pursuant to a purchase of service agreement with the Authority.

(d) Unless such items are specifically provided for in the annual budget and program which has been the subject of public hearing, as provided in Section 4.01 of this Act, the Board shall hold public hearings at which citizens may be heard prior to the providing for or allowing, by means of any purchase of service agreement or any grant pursuant to Section 2.02 of this Act, any general increase or series of increases in fares or charges for public transportation, whether by the Authority or by any transportation agency, which increase or series of increases within any twelve months affects more than 25% of the consumers of service of the Authority or of the transportation agency; or so providing for or allowing any discontinuance of any public transportation route, or major portion thereof, which has been in service for more than a year.

(e) At least twenty days prior notice of any public hearing, as required in this Section, shall be given by public advertisement in a newspaper of general circulation in the metropolitan region.

(e-5) With respect to any increase in fares or charges for public transportation, whether by the Authority or by any Service Board or transportation agency, a public hearing must be held in each county in which the fare increase takes effect. Notice of the public hearing shall be given at least 20 days prior to the hearing and at least 30 days prior to the effective date of any fare increase. Notice shall be given by public advertisement in a newspaper of general circulation in the metropolitan region and must also be sent to the Governor and to each member of the General Assembly whose district overlaps in whole or in part with the area in which the increase takes effect. The notice must state the date, time, and place of the hearing and must contain a description of the proposed increase. The notice must also specify how interested persons may obtain copies of any reports, resolutions, or certificates describing the basis upon which the increase was calculated.

(f) The Authority may designate one or more Directors or may appoint one or more hearing officers to preside over any hearing pursuant to this Act. The Authority shall have the power in connection with any such hearing to issue subpoenas to require the attendance of witnesses and the production of documents, and the Authority may apply to any circuit court in the State to require compliance with such subpoenas.

(g) The Authority may require any Service Board to hold one or more public hearings with respect to any item described in paragraphs (c), and (d), and (e-5) of this Section 5.01, notwithstanding whether such item has been the subject of a public hearing under this Section 5.01 or Section 2.01 or 4.01 of this Act.

(Source: P.A. 95-708, eff. 1-18-08.)

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