Bill
SB 1791
Creates a Transit-to-Trails Grant Program under IDOT to fund multimodal access projects linking public transit to outdoor recreation, prioritizing underserved communities.
Status summary
- Introduced in the 104th General Assembly by Sen. Laura Ellman (chief co-sponsor Sen. Ram Villivalam; co-sponsor Sen. Robert Peters). Companion: HB 5017.
- Committee activity: public hearings and testimony in March–April 2025; reported favorably as substituted (recommended for local & uncontested calendar) 4/2/2025.
- Most recent status: Rule 3-9(a) / Re‑referred to Assignments (6/2/2025).
- Implementation is expressly subject to appropriation by the General Assembly.
Purpose and intent
- Establish a new Transit-to-Trails Grant Program in the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) to fund projects that facilitate travel by public transportation to outdoor recreation sites (hiking, biking, boating, picnicking, hunting, fishing, wildlife observation, and other nature‑based activities), with an equity focus on communities that lack access to parks and recreation.
Key provisions
- Program creation: Adds Section 2705-630 to the Department of Transportation Law directing the Secretary of Transportation to establish and annually offer grants under the “Transit-to-Trails Grant Program.”
- Eligible project types (examples):
- Altered/expanded operation of existing transit service to increase access to outdoor recreation sites.
- New or improved infrastructure to improve safe, convenient access (stations, stops, shelters, bikeshare, bicycle infrastructure, etc.).
- Public outreach, education, and engagement to encourage transit use and access to outdoor recreation.
- Eligible recipients: public transit agencies; owners/managers of publicly accessible outdoor recreation lands (park districts, conservation districts, forest preserve districts); units of local government; state agencies; and nonprofits engaged in outdoor recreation.
- Prioritization: IDOT must prioritize projects that enhance access for populations “in greatest need,” defined to include:
1) R3 Areas under the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act (areas historically excluded from economic opportunities);
2) Environmental justice communities as defined by the Illinois Power Agency; and
3) Communities demonstrating inadequate/insufficient park or recreation facilities — including where at least 50% of residents live more than 1/2 mile from park space or where park distribution/quality is inequitable.
- Technical assistance: IDOT shall provide application assistance on request.
- Rulemaking: IDOT must adopt rules necessary to implement and administer the program.
- Funding: Program operation depends on legislative appropriation; the bill does not specify funding amounts.
Who is affected / likely impacts
- Positively affects residents seeking access to outdoor recreation—especially underserved, low‑income, or environmental justice communities.
- Benefits transit agencies, park and conservation agencies, local governments, and nonprofits by providing a funding source for multimodal connections to natural areas.
- Encourages multimodal infrastructure investment, outreach to increase ridership to parklands, and equity‑oriented planning.
- Scope and pace depend on appropriation and subsequent IDOT rulemaking; no dedicated funding level is established in the bill.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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