30 ILCS 740/4-1.7

"Participant" means (1) a city, village or incorporated town, or a local mass transit district organized under the Local Mass Transit District Act, that is named as a designated recipient by the Governor, or is eligible to receive federal UMTA Section 9 funds, or (2) the recipient designated by the Governor within the Bi-State Metropolitan Development District; provided that such entity is all located outside the boundaries of the Northern Illinois Transit Authority as established pursuant to the Northern Illinois Transit Authority Act, as amended, and has formally requested to participate in the program defined in this Article. However, no such entity shall be eligible to participate unless it agrees to adhere to the regulations and requirements of the Secretary of Transportation of the federal Department of Transportation affecting UMTA Section 9 assistance or any other conditions that are deemed reasonable and necessary by the Illinois Department of Transportation.