20 ILCS 2705/2705-630

(20 ILCS 2705/2705-630)

(This Section may contain text from a Public Act with a delayed effective date)

Sec. 2705-630. Transit to Trails Grant Program.

(a) Subject to appropriation, the Secretary shall establish the Transit to Trails Grant Program to 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. Grants awarded under the program shall be used to:

(1) alter or expand the operation of existing transit service to accommodate increased access by the public to outdoor recreation activities;

(2) construct new infrastructure or improve existing infrastructure to facilitate safe, convenient access to outdoor recreation sites, including, but not limited to, stations, stops, shelters, bike-share, and bicycle infrastructure; and

(3) conduct public outreach, education, and engagement efforts to inform the public and encourage the use of transit and access to outdoor recreation.

(b) The Secretary shall award grants through the program on an annual basis. The Department shall adopt necessary rules to create and implement 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, and forest preserve districts; and

(3) units of local government, State agencies, and nonprofit organizations engaged in facilitating outdoor recreation opportunities.

(d) In considering grant applications under the program, the Department shall prioritize projects that demonstrate an intent to enhance access to outdoor recreation opportunities for populations with the 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;

(2) environmental justice communities as defined under the Illinois Solar for All Program and updated from time to time by the Illinois Power Agency and the Administrator of the Illinois Solar for All Program;

(3) communities that can demonstrate to the Secretary that the community has inadequate, insufficient, or no park space or recreation facilities, including by demonstrating:

(A) quality concerns relating to the available park space or recreation facilities;

(B) the presence of recreational facilities that do not serve the needs of the community; or

(C) the inequitable distribution of park space for high-need populations, based on income, age, or other measures of vulnerability and need; and

(4) communities in which at least 50% of the population is not located within 0.5 miles of park space.

(e) The Department shall provide technical assistance in preparing grant applications to applicants upon request.

(Source: P.A. 104-457, eff. 6-1-26.)