Create a flexible funding source (SB 1258)

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Background:
Illinois law requires strict separation of transportation funding by mode. This means there are unique funding sources for road, transit, bicycle and pedestrian projects. In reality, our transportation system is multi-modal with each method of travel working in concert with the other modes.

More than 30 percent of transportation in urban areas uses modes other than motor vehicles.

What’s wrong with the current law?
It does not provide Illinois Department of Transportation or local departments of transportation flexibility to fund the transportation projects important to local needs. It does not allow for changes in transportation funding based on changes in mode-share or other conditions.

The people who know the conditions best—transportation officials—need flexibility to fund the priority projects.

What will SB 1258 do?
• It provides IDOT the flexibility to fund transportation projects based on current needs (subject to appropriation).
• It provides counties and local governments their first-ever flexible funding source for surface transportation.
• It does not interfere with the engineering decisions of the state and local departments of transportation.
• It provides flexible funding (with no increase in taxes) for innovative transportation projects, including dedicated bus lanes, transit signal prioritization, separated bike lanes and pedestrian safety improvements.

This bill is supported by Active Transportation Alliance and Metropolis Strategies. For more information contact Dan Persky, Active Trans’ director of education & advocacy, at 312.427.3325 x229 or dan@activetrans.org.

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