HB5480 - Joliet Bridge Act Summary

• Repeals the Public Private Agreements for the Illiana Expressway Act and creates the Joliet Bridge Act authorizing the Illinois Department of Transportation to enter into public-private agreements for development, financing, construction, management, or operation of the Joliet Bridge over the Des Plaines River on Interstate 80 in Joliet.

• Establishes procurement requirements including competitive request for proposals process, prequalification of offerors, evaluation criteria, public hearings before award, and review by the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability and Procurement Policy Board.

• Agreement terms must include Department oversight and control authority, contractor obligations for information disclosure and advance notice of major decisions, audit requirements for projects exceeding $50 million in construction costs, and a 30-50 year term requiring General Assembly approval for extensions.

• Creates the Joliet Bridge Proceeds Fund for deposit of compensation money and authorizes the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority to operate toll collection systems, maintain the bridge, and assume full control upon termination of the agreement.

• Makes corresponding amendments to multiple state statutes including labor, tax, property tax, eminent domain, and prevailing wage laws to implement the public-private partnership framework for the Joliet Bridge project.