Maggie Melin, the speaker at our Feb. meeting, thought we might be interested in supporting this legislation. Action is required before Tues., March 5 at 5pm.
From: Maggie Melin
Sent: Monday, March 4, 2019 3:44 PM
Subject: Need your help with Witness Slips for SJR24 - Active Transportation Alliance
Hi everyone,
We need your help again filling out witness slips for a bill Active Trans is working in Springfield!
If you are willing, please fill out a witness slip for senate resolution #SJR24 (on updating IDOT’s policy to be more multimodal) as a proponent. These slips need to be submitted by Tuesday, March 5 at 5pmwhen the resolution is being called into committee.
Active Trans’s Senate Joint Resolution was filed by Senator Martin Sandoval and a fact sheet is attached – more details below:
- SJR24 Multimodal Transportation Resolution - This joint resolution is in support of the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) updating its policies and design guidelines to reflect the needs of everyone using the road thereby improving safety for all. It resolves to eliminate the requirement for local governments to provide matching funds for Complete Streets features like sidewalks, pedestrian refuge islands and bike lanes on state routes. It also directs IDOT to conduct an evaluation of the implementation of the state’s Complete Streets policy and implement outstanding action items from the state’s 2012 bicycle plan.
If you are in favor, we would really appreciate your support in getting as many witness slips submitted by March 5 as possible.
Another bill filed by Senator Martin Sandoval is also being considered (details below). We will be back in touch when witness slips are needed for this bill.
- SB2016 Complete Streets and Trails Local Grant Program – Under this program, local governments could apply for grants to build and extend trails or make street improvements for vulnerable users. Eligible projects would include pedestrian refuge islands, crosswalk countdown timers, pedestrian crossing signs, upgraded trail crossings, and bike lanes that create orderly street space for all.
The bill dedicates 2% of state funds within a transportation capital budget for local governments to implement complete streets walking and biking infrastructure improvements. The funds would be administered through the existing Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program (ITEP) and would supplement federal funding of ITEP. 2% is about $50 million of IDOT capital spending at recent funding levels.
Please let me know if you have any questions. As mentioned, SJR24 is scheduled to be called in committee Tuesday, and we’ll be in touch as that bill and SB2016 move forward.
Thanks everyone!
Maggie
Maggie Melin
Advocacy Manager
Active Transportation Alliance
35 E. Wacker #1782
Chicago, IL 60601
maggie@activetrans.org
Direct Line: 312.216.0475
Bike Walk Every Town is our suburban advocacy program dedicated to supporting the efforts of suburban advocates interested in improving walking, biking and transit in their communities. Check out our suburban advocacy page for resources, tips, tools, webinar recordings and more.
Sharon Kaminecki
773-442-2549