SB1789 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB096 11196 HLH 21589 b

96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2009 and 2010
SB1789

Introduced 2/20/2009, by Sen. Kirk W. Dillard

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

70 ILCS 3605/53 new
70 ILCS 3605/54 new
70 ILCS 3615/3A.17 new
70 ILCS 3615/3A.18 new
70 ILCS 3615/3B.16 new
70 ILCS 3615/3B.17 new
70 ILCS 3615/5.06 new

Amends the Metropolitan Transit Authority Act and the Regional Transportation Authority Act. Provides that the Regional Transportation Authority must implement a single fare card system to allow senior citizens aged 65 and older who reside within the metropolitan region to use all transit services provided by the Chicago Transit Authority, the Suburban Bus Division, and the Commuter Rail Division free of charge. Sets forth certain criteria for the fare cards. Provides that it is a Class A misdemeanor for an applicant to provide false information on an application for a senior citizen fare card. Provides that the Chicago Transit Authority, the Suburban Bus Division, and the Commuter Rail Division must provide transit services free of charge to active duty military personnel who are in uniform. Effective immediately.

CORRECTIONAL BUDGET AND IMPACT NOTE ACT MAY APPLY

FISCAL NOTE ACT MAY APPLY

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning local government.

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 adding Sections 53 and 54 as follows:

(70 ILCS 3605/53 new)

Sec. 53. Senior citizen fare cards. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, within 60 days after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 96th General Assembly, the Chicago Transit Authority must implement a fare card system, pursuant to rules adopted by the Regional Transportation Authority under Section 5.06 of the Regional Transportation Authority Act, to allow senior citizens aged 65 and older who reside within the metropolitan region to use all transit services provided by the Chicago Transit Authority free of charge.

(70 ILCS 3605/54 new)

Sec. 54. Active duty military personnel. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, within 60 days after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 96th General Assembly, all transit services provided by the Chicago Transit Authority must be provided free of charge to active duty military personnel who are in uniform.

Section 10. The Regional Transportation Authority Act is amended by adding Sections 3A.17, 3A.18, 3B.16, 3B.17, and 5.06 as follows:

(70 ILCS 3615/3A.17 new)

Sec. 3A.17. Senior citizen fare cards. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, within 60 days after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 96th General Assembly, the Suburban Bus Board must implement a fare card system, pursuant to rules adopted by the Regional Transportation Authority under Section 5.06 of this Act, to allow senior citizens aged 65 and older who reside within the metropolitan region to use all transit services provided by the Suburban Bus Board free of charge.

(70 ILCS 3615/3A.18 new)

Sec. 3A.18. Active duty military personnel. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, within 60 days after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 96th General Assembly, all transit services provided by the Suburban Bus Board must be provided free of charge to active duty military personnel who are in uniform.

(70 ILCS 3615/3B.16 new)

Sec. 3B.16. Senior citizen fare cards. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, within 60 days after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 96th General Assembly, the Commuter Rail Board must implement a fare card system, pursuant to rules adopted by the Regional Transportation Authority under Section 5.06 of this Act, to allow senior citizens aged 65 and older who reside within the metropolitan region to use all transit services provided by the Commuter Rail Board free of charge.

(70 ILCS 3615/3B.17 new)

Sec. 3B.17. Active duty military personnel. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, within 60 days after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 96th General Assembly, all transit services provided by the Commuter Rail Board must be provided free of charge to active duty military personnel who are in uniform.

(70 ILCS 3615/5.06 new)

Sec. 5.06. Senior citizen fare cards. Within 60 days after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 96th General Assembly, the Authority must implement a single fare card system to allow senior citizens aged 65 and older who reside within the metropolitan region to use all transit services provided by the Chicago Transit Authority, the Suburban Bus Division, and the Commuter Rail Division free of charge. The Authority must promulgate rules to implement the fare card system, which shall include, at a minimum, the following:

(1) each applicant shall be required to submit an application only once and shall not be required to reapply;

(2) applicants must be legal residents of Illinois; and

(3) applicants must certify that their income is equal to or less than 400% of the federal poverty line, as determined by the federal Office of Management and Budget.

Any applicant who knowingly provides false information on an application for a senior citizen fare card commits a Class A misdemeanor.

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