OLYMPIA FIELDS, Ill – Last week, Governor Quinn signed one of the first pieces of legislation to over-haul mass transit in Illinois. Representative Al Riley is the Chairman of the House Mass Transit Committee and welcomed the news that the mass transit reform bill he introduced earlier this year is now the law of the land. The bill will take effect on January 1, 2015.
Rep. Riley has both sponsored and supported measures which attempt to ensure that the transit service boards ultimately meet the needs of the riding public who expect a world class transit system.
“Since I have been in Springfield, I have always championed these types of measures. I also congratulate the House Mass Transit Committee for their work and support for this and similar bills.
The law ensures the transit agencies operate under ethical and transparent standards by establishing revolving door prohibitions, institutes an online database of transportation records, and provides House and Senate legislative notice of employees receiving a contract over $100,000 and for any bonuses over 10% through a separation or settlement.
The law provides the foundation to creating a more ‘geographically equitable’ regional transportation network. Citing the historical ‘benign neglect’ of certain suburban regions as the impetus, Rep. Riley felt the language was necessary to ensure no region is left behind with regard to funding or access. For example, despite the south suburban Cook region contributing to the CTA through sales tax dollars since the 1980’s, they do not receive any CTA services in return.
The law also mandates the RTA to cooperate with government and private entities in the development of bikeways and trails. The amendment was added in order to create multi-modal access to the regional public transportation system in northeastern Illinois.
For more information, please contact Rep. Riley by email at [email protected] or by phone at (708) 799-4364.
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