70 ILCS 3615/2.39: Prioritization process for transit capital projects.

(a) The Authority shall develop a transparent prioritization process for metropolitan region transit capital projects to identify projects that will most effectively achieve the goals of the Strategic Plan and improve the quality of public transportation services contemplated by the service standards, to the extent service standards have been adopted.

(b) The Authority shall use the prioritization process when developing its 5-year Capital Program under Section 2.01b and for its other capital planning processes.

(c) The prioritization process must consider, at a minimum:

(1) increasing access to key destinations, such as jobs, retail, healthcare, and recreation;

(2) reliability improvements;

(3) capacity needs;

(4) safety;

(5) state of good repair;

(6) racial equity and mobility justice;

(7) environmental protection;

(8) the service standards;

(9) economic development; and

(10) improving physical access to bus stops, transit vehicles, and transit facilities.

(d) All capital funding awards shall be made by the Authority in accordance with the prioritization process. An appropriate public input process shall be established. The Authority shall make a report to the General Assembly each year describing the prioritization process and its use in funding awards.

(e) A summary of the project evaluation process, measures, program, and scores or prioritization criteria for all candidate projects shall be published on the Authority's website in a timely manner.

(f) No project shall be included in the 5-year Capital Program, or amendments to that Program, without being evaluated under the selection process described in this Section.