Bill Text: IL HB5277 | 2023-2024 | 103rd General Assembly | Engrossed

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Bill Title: Amends the Department of Transportation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Requires the Secretary of Transportation to establish a program through which the Secretary shall award grants to eligible entities for projects that facilitate travel by public transportation to public outdoor recreation sites for outdoor activities, including hiking, biking, boating, picnicking, hunting, fishing, wildlife observation, or other nature-based activities. Provides that the Secretary shall offer grants through the Transit to Trails program on an annual basis. Requires the Department of Transportation to adopt rules necessary to implement and administer the program. Provides that, in considering grant applications, the Department shall prioritize projects with demonstrated intent to enhance access to outdoor recreation opportunities for populations in greatest need of improved access to outdoor nature-based recreation. Requires the Department to provide technical assistance in preparing grant applications to applicants upon request. Provides that implementation of the grant program is subject to appropriation by the General Assembly.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 4-0)

Status: (Engrossed) 2024-05-17 - Rule 3-9(a) / Re-referred to Assignments [HB5277 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2023-HB5277-Engrossed.html

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

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

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