Illinois Statutes Chapter 20. Executive Branch § 2705/2705-430. Railroad freight service assistance; lines designated for discontinuation of service or subject to abandonment

§ 2705-430. Railroad freight service assistance; lines designated for discontinuation of service or subject to abandonment. The Department shall enter into agreements with any railroad as necessary to provide assistance for continuous freight service on lines of railroads within Illinois designated for discontinuation of service by the United States Railway Association Final System Plan and not conveyed to a railroad company other than Consolidated Rail Corporation. The Department may enter into such agreements with any railroad as necessary to provide assistance for continuous rail freight service on lines of railroads within Illinois subject to an abandonment proceeding in the federal Surface Transportation Board or classified as potentially subject to abandonment pursuant to Sections 10903 through 10905 of Title 49 of the United States Code or upon which a certificate of discontinuance or abandonment has been issued. The Department shall make rail continuation subsidy payments pursuant to the agreements. The agreements shall provide for a minimum level of service at least equivalent to that provided in calendar year 1975. The agreements shall conform to relevant federal law. The Department shall determine that all payments under this Section are eligible for federal share reimbursement.

Any nonfederal share of the assistance provided under this Section shall be provided by the Department. The State share may include funds, grants, gifts, or donations from the federal government, any local public body, or any person.

Reimbursements shall be deposited in the State fund from which the assistance was paid.

The Department shall provide technical assistance to any local public body or rail user to ensure that rail freight services under these agreements are, to the extent possible, adequate to the needs of Illinois citizens.

The Department shall review the effects of the rail freight service assistance provided under this Section.

For the purpose of promoting efficient rail freight service, the Department shall have the power to either grant or loan funds to any railroad or unit of local government in the State to maintain, improve, and construct rail facilities. The Department shall also have the power to grant or loan funds to any rail users located on an abandoned line, unit of local government, or an owner or lessee of an abandoned railroad right-of-way to undertake substitute service projects that reduce the social, economic, and environmental costs associated with the loss of a particular rail freight service in a manner less expensive than continuing that rail freight service. To facilitate the continuation of rail freight services, the Department shall have the power to purchase railroad materials and supplies.