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SB 1539

SUBURBAN BUS BOARD BIDDING

104th Regular Session Introduced by Graciela Guzmán and 1 co-sponsor

SB 1539 requires the Suburban Bus Board to use a prequalification process with detailed responsible-bidder documentation to bid for frontline transit contracts.

Rule 3-9(a) / Re-referred to Assignments
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Bill Summary · SB 1539

SB 1539 — Suburban Bus Board Bidding (Summary)

Status: Introduced (adds new Section 3A.17.5 to the Regional Transportation Authority Act). Latest procedural note: Rule 3-9(a) / Re‑referred to Assignments. Introduced by Sen. Ram Villivalam (primary). Companion bills: HB 5116 and HB 912.

Purpose / Intent

SB 1539 requires the Suburban Bus Board (the Suburban Bus Division of the Regional Transportation Authority) to adopt a "responsible bidding" rule for contracts that solicit labor for frontline transit positions — specifically drivers, dispatchers, customer service aides, and reservationists. The intent is to make bidders demonstrate compliance with tax, labor, safety, licensing, apprenticeship, and past‑performance standards before being deemed a “responsible bidder,” and to create a prequalification pathway to streamline future procurements.

Key provisions

  • Suburban Bus Board must adopt responsible bidding rules for contracts for drivers, dispatchers, customer service aides, and reservationists.
  • Bidders must submit specified documentation and attestations before being considered a responsible bidder. Required items include:
    1. Evidence a corporate annual report is on file with the Illinois Secretary of State (not required for individuals/sole proprietors/partnerships).
    2. Department of Revenue registration (if bidder has employees).
    3. Disclosure of any federal, state, or local tax liens or tax delinquencies within the past 5 years.
    4. Statement that employees are covered under a workers’ compensation insurance policy and properly classified.
    5. Statement of compliance with the Illinois Prevailing Wage Act and related rules for the past 5 years.
    6. Proof of any required trade or professional licenses.
    7. Evidence of participation in apprenticeship programs approved/registered with the U.S. DOL Office of Apprenticeship.
    8. Certification that employees expected to work on the project completed a 10‑hour (or greater) OSHA safety training.
    9. Disclosure of subcontractor names and addresses (those whose bids were accepted or whom the bidder intends to hire).
    10. Past‑performance statements: complete record of all contracts completed in the past 3 years.
    11. Disclosure of any unremedied violations of labor laws at federal/state/local levels, including findings of merit on unfair labor practice charges by NLRB regions.
  • It is the bidder’s sole responsibility to submit complete and timely documentation at the time of bid; incomplete submissions may result in a bidder being found “not responsible.”
  • Submission requirements generally apply to subcontractors; successful bidders must submit subcontractor documentation before work begins (per board rules).
  • Prequalification: upon Board designation that a submission is complete/timely (and any further review), a contractor or subcontractor may be prequalified for future contracts.
    • Prequalification exempts the contractor/subcontractor from the submission requirements for 12 months.
    • Prequalified parties must submit a renewal application on a Board form by December 31 for the upcoming calendar year; failure to timely apply results in automatic removal of prequalified status effective Jan 1.
    • Removal from prequalification does not bar a firm from bidding.

Who is affected

  • Primary: contractors and subcontractors bidding for Suburban Bus Board contracts to provide drivers, dispatchers, customer service aides and reservationists.
  • Secondary: transit workforce (through prevailing wage, apprenticeship and safety training requirements), and the Suburban Bus Board (administration of prequalification and bid review processes).
  • Smaller or newer firms may face increased administrative requirements to demonstrate qualifications.

Procedural/timeline highlights

  • Prequalification, once granted, lasts 12 months.
  • Continuation/renewal applications due by December 31 for the next calendar year; failure to reapply removes prequalified status effective January 1.
  • The rulemaking and implementation details (forms, exact timing for submissions, processes for review/appeal) would be established by the Suburban Bus Board under the new statute.

Potential impacts

  • Increases pre-bid compliance obligations; aims to ensure bidders meet tax, labor, safety, licensing and apprenticeship standards.
  • Encourages use of apprenticeship and safety training, and enforcement of prevailing wage and labor law compliance.
  • May streamline procurement for recurring, compliant vendors through a formal prequalification process, while raising administrative burden for some bidders.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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