IL HB5732

Amends the Downstate Public Transportation Act to establish additional requirements for local government units that become participants on or after the effective date of this act.

Grant applicants must demonstrate plans to provide general public transportation with emphasis on elderly, disabled, and economically disadvantaged populations, and must show interagency coordination with all state-funded and federally-funded transportation programs in their service area.

Nonurbanized area participants not receiving Federal Section 5311 funding must meet operating and safety compliance requirements of that federal program, and all participants must hold public hearings in municipalities with 1,500+ inhabitants within their proposed service area.

Service extensions after July 1, 2005 through annexation or intergovernmental agreement must meet the four requirements established in subsection (a), with funding priority given to service extension, multi-county, and multi-jurisdictional projects.

Establishes an annual application process for participants to request initial or increased appropriations for new service areas, with the Department recommending appropriations of 65% of projected eligible operating expenses if the application is approved.