(70 ILCS 3615/Art. III-A heading)

(70 ILCS 3615/3A.01) (from Ch. 111 2/3, par. 703A.01) Sec. 3A.01. Suburban Bus Division. There is established within the Authority the Suburban Bus Division as the operating division responsible for providing public transportation by bus and as may be provided in this Act. Purchase of service agreements between a transportation agency and the Authority in effect on the effective date of this amendatory Act shall remain in full force and effect in accordance with the terms of such agreement. Such agreements shall first be the responsibility of the Transition Board and, on the date of its creation, shall be the responsibility of the Suburban Bus Division and its Board. (Source: P.A. 83-885; 83-886.)

(70 ILCS 3615/3A.02) (from Ch. 111 2/3, par. 703A.02) Sec. 3A.02. Suburban Bus Board. The governing body of the Suburban Bus Division shall be a board consisting of 13 directors appointed as follows: (a) Six Directors appointed by the members of the

Cook County Board elected from that part of Cook County outside of Chicago, or in the event such Board of Commissioners becomes elected from single member districts, by those Commissioners elected from districts, a majority of the residents of which reside outside of Chicago from the chief executive officers of the municipalities, of that portion of Cook County outside of Chicago. Provided however, that:

(i) One of the Directors shall be the chief

executive officer of a municipality within the area of the Northwest Region defined in Section 3A.13;

(ii) One of the Directors shall be the chief

executive officer of a municipality within the area of the North Central Region defined in Section 3A.13;

(iii) One of the Directors shall be the chief

executive officer of a municipality within the area of the North Shore Region defined in Section 3A.13;

(iv) One of the Directors shall be the chief

executive officer of a municipality within the area of the Central Region defined in Section 3A.13;

(v) One of the Directors shall be the chief

executive officer of a municipality within the area of the Southwest Region defined in Section 3A.13;

(vi) One of the Directors shall be the chief

executive officer of a municipality within the area of the South Region defined in Section 3A.13;

(b) One Director by the Chairman of the Kane County

Board who shall be a chief executive officer of a municipality within Kane County;

(c) One Director by the Chairman of the Lake County

Board who shall be a chief executive officer of a municipality within Lake County;

(d) One Director by the Chairman of the DuPage County

Board who shall be a chief executive officer of a municipality within DuPage County;

(e) One Director by the Chairman of the McHenry

County Board who shall be a chief executive officer of a municipality within McHenry County;

(f) One Director by the Chairman of the Will County

Board who shall be a chief executive officer of a municipality within Will County;

(g) The Commissioner of the Mayor's Office for People

with Disabilities, from the City of Chicago, who shall serve as an ex-officio member; and

(h) The Chairman by the Governor for the initial

term, and thereafter by a majority of the Chairmen of the DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry and Will County Boards and the members of the Cook County Board elected from that part of Cook County outside of Chicago, or in the event such Board of Commissioners is elected from single member districts, by those Commissioners elected from districts, a majority of the electors of which reside outside of Chicago; and who after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 95th General Assembly may not be a resident of the City of Chicago.

Each appointment made under paragraphs (a) through (g) and under Section 3A.03 shall be certified by the appointing authority to the Suburban Bus Board which shall maintain the certifications as part of the official records of the Suburban Bus Board; provided that the initial appointments shall be certified to the Secretary of State, who shall transmit the certifications to the Suburban Bus Board following its organization. For the purposes of this Section, "chief executive officer of a municipality" includes a former chief executive officer of a municipality within the specified Region or County, provided that the former officer continues to reside within such Region or County. (Source: P.A. 95-906, eff. 8-26-08.)

(70 ILCS 3615/3A.03) (from Ch. 111 2/3, par. 703A.03) Sec. 3A.03. Terms, Vacancies. The initial term of the directors appointed pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 3A.02 shall expire on June 30, 1985; the initial term of the directors appointed pursuant to subdivisions (b) through (g) of Section 3A.02 shall expire on June 30, 1986. Thereafter, each director shall be appointed for a term of 4 years, and until his successor has been appointed and qualified. A vacancy shall occur upon the resignation, death, conviction of a felony, or removal from office of a director. Any director may be removed from office (i) upon the concurrence of not less than 8 directors, on a formal finding of incompetence, neglect of duty, or malfeasance in office or (ii) by the Governor in response to a summary report received from the Executive Inspector General in accordance with Section 20-50 of the State Officials and Employees Ethics Act, provided he or she has an opportunity to be publicly heard in person or by counsel prior to removal. Within 30 days after the office of any director becomes vacant for any reason, the appointing authorities of such director shall make an appointment to fill the vacancy. A vacancy shall be filled for the unexpired term. The initial directors other than the chairman shall be appointed within 180 days of November 9, 1983. On June 1, 1984 the seat of any Director of the Suburban Bus Board not yet filled shall be deemed vacant and shall be chosen by the election of all the legislative members of the General Assembly representing the affected area. In order to qualify as a voting legislative member in this matter, the affected area must be more than 50% of the geographic area of the legislative district. (Source: P.A. 96-1528, eff. 7-1-11.)

(70 ILCS 3615/3A.04) (from Ch. 111 2/3, par. 703A.04) Sec. 3A.04. Chairman and Other Officers. The Chairman shall preside at meetings of the Suburban Bus Board and shall be entitled to vote on all matters. The Suburban Bus Board shall select a Secretary and a Treasurer and may select persons to fill such other offices of the Division and to perform such duties as it shall from time to time determine. The Secretary, Treasurer and other officers of the Division may, but need not be, members of the Suburban Bus Board. (Source: P.A. 83-886.)

(70 ILCS 3615/3A.05) (from Ch. 111 2/3, par. 703A.05) Sec. 3A.05. Appointment of officers and employees. The Suburban Bus Board shall appoint an Executive Director who shall be the chief executive officer of the Division, appointed, retained or dismissed with the concurrence of 9 of the directors of the Suburban Bus Board. The Executive Director shall appoint, retain and employ officers, attorneys, agents, engineers, employees and shall organize the staff, shall allocate their functions and duties, fix compensation and conditions of employment, and consistent with the policies of and direction from the Suburban Bus Board take all actions necessary to achieve its purposes, fulfill its responsibilities and carry out its powers, and shall have such other powers and responsibilities as the Suburban Bus Board shall determine. The Executive Director shall be an individual of proven transportation and management skills and may not be a member of the Suburban Bus Board. The Division may employ its own professional management personnel to provide professional and technical expertise concerning its purposes and powers and to assist it in assessing the performance of transportation agencies in the metropolitan region. No employee, officer, or agent of the Suburban Bus Board may receive a bonus that exceeds 10% of his or her annual salary unless that bonus has been reviewed by the Regional Transportation Authority Board for a period of 14 days. After 14 days, the contract shall be considered reviewed. This Section does not apply to usual and customary salary adjustments. No unlawful discrimination, as defined and prohibited in the Illinois Human Rights Act, shall be made in any term or aspect of employment nor shall there be discrimination based upon political reasons or factors. The Suburban Bus Board shall establish regulations to insure that its discharges shall not be arbitrary and that hiring and promotion are based on merit. The Division shall be subject to the "Illinois Human Rights Act", as now or hereafter amended, and the remedies and procedure established thereunder. The Suburban Bus Board shall file an affirmative action program for employment by it with the Department of Human Rights to ensure that applicants are employed and that employees are treated during employment, without regard to unlawful discrimination. Such affirmative action program shall include provisions relating to hiring, upgrading, demotion, transfer, recruitment, recruitment advertising, selection for training and rates of pay or other forms of compensation. (Source: P.A. 98-1027, eff. 1-1-15.)

(70 ILCS 3615/3A.06) (from Ch. 111 2/3, par. 703A.06) Sec. 3A.06. Compensation. The Chairman of the Suburban Bus Board shall receive an annual salary of $15,000, and the other members of the Suburban Bus Board shall receive an annual salary of $10,000. Each member shall be reimbursed for actual expenses incurred in the performance of his duties, not to exceed $5000 per year. Officers of the Division shall not be required to comply with the requirements of "An Act requiring certain custodians of public monies to file and publish statements of the receipts and disbursements thereof", approved June 24, 1919, as now or hereafter amended. (Source: P.A. 84-939.)

(70 ILCS 3615/3A.07) (from Ch. 111 2/3, par. 703A.07) Sec. 3A.07. Meetings. The Suburban Bus Board shall prescribe the time and places for meetings and the manner in which special meetings may be called. The Suburban Bus Board shall comply in all respects with the "Open Meetings Act", as now or hereafter amended. All records, documents and papers of the Suburban Bus Division, other than those relating to matters concerning which closed sessions of the Suburban Bus Board may be held, shall be available for public examination, subject to such reasonable regulations as the Suburban Bus Board may adopt. A majority of the members shall constitute a quorum for the conduct of business. The affirmative votes of at least 7 members shall be necessary for any action required by this Act to be taken by ordinance. Open meetings of the Board shall be broadcast to the public and maintained in real-time on the Board's website using a high-speed Internet connection. Recordings of each meeting broadcast shall be posted to the Board's website within a reasonable time after the meeting and shall be maintained as public records to the extent practicable, as determined by the Board. Compliance with the provisions of this amendatory Act of the 98th General Assembly does not relieve the Board of its obligations under the Open Meetings Act. (Source: P.A. 98-1139, eff. 6-1-15.)

(70 ILCS 3615/3A.08) (from Ch. 111 2/3, par. 703A.08) Sec. 3A.08. Jurisdiction. Any public transportation by bus within the metropolitan region, other than public transportation by commuter rail or public transportation provided by the Chicago Transit Authority pursuant to agreements in effect on the effective date of this amendatory Act of 1983 or in the City of Chicago and any ADA paratransit services provided pursuant to Section 2.30 of the Regional Transportation Authority Act, shall be subject to the jurisdiction of the Suburban Bus Board. (Source: P.A. 94-370, eff. 7-29-05.)

(70 ILCS 3615/3A.09) (from Ch. 111 2/3, par. 703A.09) Sec. 3A.09. General powers. In addition to any powers elsewhere provided to the Suburban Bus Board, it shall have all of the powers specified in Section 2.20 of this Act except for the powers specified in Section 2.20(a)(v). The Board shall also have the power: (a) to cooperate with the Regional Transportation

Authority in the exercise by the Regional Transportation Authority of all the powers granted it by such Act;

(b) to receive funds from the Regional Transportation

Authority pursuant to Sections 2.02, 4.01, 4.02, 4.09 and 4.10 of the Regional Transportation Authority Act, all as provided in the Regional Transportation Authority Act;

(c) to receive financial grants from the Regional

Transportation Authority or a Service Board, as defined in the Regional Transportation Authority Act, upon such terms and conditions as shall be set forth in a grant contract between either the Division and the Regional Transportation Authority or the Division and another Service Board, which contract or agreement may be for such number of years or duration as the parties agree, all as provided in the Regional Transportation Authority Act;

(d) to perform all functions necessary for the

provision of paratransit services under Section 2.30 of this Act; and

(e) to borrow money for the purposes of: (i)

constructing a new garage in the northwestern Cook County suburbs, (ii) converting the South Cook garage in Markham to a Compressed Natural Gas facility, (iii) constructing a new paratransit garage in DuPage County, (iv) expanding the North Shore garage in Evanston to accommodate additional indoor bus parking, and (v) purchasing new transit buses. For the purpose of evidencing the obligation of the Suburban Bus Board to repay any money borrowed as provided in this subsection, the Suburban Bus Board may issue revenue bonds from time to time pursuant to ordinance adopted by the Suburban Bus Board, subject to the approval of the Regional Transportation Authority of each such issuance by the affirmative vote of 12 of its then Directors; provided that the Suburban Bus Board may not issue bonds for the purpose of financing the acquisition, construction, or improvement of any facility other than those listed in this subsection (e). All such bonds shall be payable solely from the revenues or income or any other funds that the Suburban Bus Board may receive, provided that the Suburban Bus Board may not pledge as security for such bonds the moneys, if any, that the Suburban Bus Board receives from the Regional Transportation Authority pursuant to Section 4.03.3(f) of the Regional Transportation Authority Act. The bonds shall bear interest at a rate not to exceed the maximum rate authorized by the Bond Authorization Act and shall mature at such time or times not exceeding 25 years from their respective dates. Bonds issued pursuant to this paragraph must be issued with scheduled principal or mandatory redemption payments in equal amounts in each fiscal year over the term of the bonds, with the first principal or mandatory redemption payment scheduled within the fiscal year in which bonds are issued or within the next succeeding fiscal year. At least 25%, based on total principal amount, of all bonds authorized pursuant to this Section shall be sold pursuant to notice of sale and public bid. No more than 75%, based on total principal amount, of all bonds authorized pursuant to this Section shall be sold by negotiated sale. The maximum principal amount of the bonds that may be issued may not exceed $100,000,000. The bonds shall have all the qualities of negotiable instruments under the laws of this State. To secure the payment of any or all of such bonds and for the purpose of setting forth the covenants and undertakings of the Suburban Bus Board in connection with the issuance thereof and the issuance of any additional bonds payable from such revenue or income as well as the use and application of the revenue or income received by the Suburban Bus Board, the Suburban Bus Board may execute and deliver a trust agreement or agreements; provided that no lien upon any physical property of the Suburban Bus Board shall be created thereby. A remedy for any breach or default of the terms of any such trust agreement by the Suburban Bus Board may be by mandamus proceedings in any court of competent jurisdiction to compel performance and compliance therewith, but the trust agreement may prescribe by whom or on whose behalf such action may be instituted. Under no circumstances shall any bonds issued by the Suburban Bus Board or any other obligation of the Suburban Bus Board in connection with the issuance of such bonds be or become an indebtedness or obligation of the State of Illinois, the Regional Transportation Authority, or any other political subdivision of or municipality within the State, nor shall any such bonds or obligations be or become an indebtedness of the Suburban Bus Board within the purview of any constitutional limitation or provision, and it shall be plainly stated on the face of each bond that it does not constitute such an indebtedness or obligation but is payable solely from the revenues or income as aforesaid.

(Source: P.A. 99-665, eff. 7-29-16.)

(70 ILCS 3615/3A.10) (from Ch. 111 2/3, par. 703A.10) Sec. 3A.10. Budget and Program. The Suburban Bus Board, subject to the powers of the Authority in Section 4.11, shall control the finances of the Division. It shall by ordinance appropriate money to perform the Division's purposes and provide for payment of debts and expenses of the Division. Each year the Suburban Bus Board shall prepare and publish a comprehensive annual budget and proposed five-year capital program document, and a financial plan for the 2 years thereafter describing the state of the Division and presenting for the forthcoming fiscal year and the 2 following years the Suburban Bus Board's plans for such operations and capital expenditures as it intends to undertake and the means by which it intends to finance them. The proposed budget, financial plan, and five-year capital program shall be based on the Authority's estimate of funds to be made available to the Suburban Bus Board by or through the Authority and shall conform in all respects to the requirements established by the Authority. The proposed budget, financial plan, and five-year capital program shall contain a statement of the funds estimated to be on hand at the beginning of the fiscal year, the funds estimated to be received from all sources for such year and the funds estimated to be on hand at the end of such year. The fiscal year of the Division shall be the same as the fiscal year of the Authority. Before the proposed budget, financial plan, and five-year capital program are submitted to the Authority, the Suburban Bus Board shall hold at least one public hearing thereon in each of the counties in the metropolitan region in which the Division provides service. The Suburban Bus Board shall hold at least one meeting for consideration of the proposed budget, financial plan, and five-year capital program with the county board of each of the several counties in the metropolitan region in which the Division provides service. After conducting such hearings and holding such meetings and after making such changes in the proposed budget, financial plan, and five-year capital program as the Suburban Bus Board deems appropriate, it shall adopt an annual budget ordinance at least by November 15 next preceding the beginning of each fiscal year. The budget, financial plan, and five-year capital program shall then be submitted to the Authority as provided in Section 4.11. In the event that the Board of the Authority determines that the budget and financial plan do not meet the standards of Section 4.11, the Suburban Bus Board shall make such changes as are necessary to meet such requirements and adopt an amended budget ordinance. The amended budget ordinance shall be resubmitted to the Authority pursuant to Section 4.11. The ordinance shall appropriate such sums of money as are deemed necessary to defray all necessary expenses and obligations of the Division, specifying purposes and the objects or programs for which appropriations are made and the amount appropriated for each object or program. Additional appropriations, transfers between items and other changes in such ordinance which do not alter the basis upon which the balanced budget determination was made by the Board of the Authority may be made from time to time by the Suburban Bus Board. The budget shall: (i) show a balance between (A) anticipated revenues

from all sources including operating subsidies and (B) the costs of providing the services specified and of funding any operating deficits or encumbrances incurred in prior periods, including provision for payment when due of principal and interest on outstanding indebtedness;

(ii) show cash balances including the proceeds of any

anticipated cash flow borrowing sufficient to pay with reasonable promptness all costs and expenses as incurred;

(iii) provide for a level of fares or charges and

operating or administrative costs for the public transportation provided by or subject to the jurisdiction of the Suburban Bus Board sufficient to allow the Suburban Bus Board to meet its required system generated revenues recovery ratio and, beginning with the 2007 fiscal year, its system generated ADA paratransit services revenue recovery ratio;

(iv) be based upon and employ assumptions and

projections which are reasonable and prudent;

(v) have been prepared in accordance with sound

financial practices as determined by the Board of the Authority;

(vi) meet such other uniform financial, budgetary, or

fiscal requirements that the Board of the Authority may by rule or regulation establish; and

(vii) be consistent with the goals and objectives

adopted by the Regional Transportation Authority in the Strategic Plan.

(Source: P.A. 94-370, eff. 7-29-05; 95-708, eff. 1-18-08.)

(70 ILCS 3615/3A.11) (from Ch. 111 2/3, par. 703A.11) Sec. 3A.11. Citizens Advisory Board. The Suburban Bus Board shall establish a citizens advisory board composed of 10 residents of those portions of the metropolitan region in which the Suburban Bus Board provides service who have an interest in public transportation. The members of the advisory board shall be named for 2 year terms, shall select one of their members to serve as chairman and shall serve without compensation. The citizens advisory board shall meet with the Suburban Bus Board at least quarterly and advise the Suburban Bus Board of the impact of its policies and programs on the communities it serves. Appointments to the citizens advisory board should, to the greatest extent possible, reflect the ethnic, cultural, and geographic diversity of all persons residing within the Suburban Bus Board's jurisdiction. (Source: P.A. 95-708, eff. 1-18-08.)

(70 ILCS 3615/3A.12) (from Ch. 111 2/3, par. 703A.12) Sec. 3A.12. Working Cash Borrowing. The Suburban Bus Board with the affirmative vote of 9 of its Directors may demand and direct the Board of the Authority to issue Working Cash Notes at such time and in such amounts and having such maturities as the Suburban Bus Board deems proper, provided however any such borrowing shall have been specifically identified in the budget of the Suburban Bus Board as approved by the Board of the Authority. Provided further, that the Suburban Bus Board may not demand and direct the Board of the Authority to have issued and have outstanding at any time in excess of $5,000,000 in Working Cash Notes. (Source: P.A. 95-906, eff. 8-26-08.)

(70 ILCS 3615/3A.13) (from Ch. 111 2/3, par. 703A.13) Sec. 3A.13. Regions. For purposes of this Article Regions are defined as follows: (1) The North Shore Region includes all the territory, municipalities and unincorporated areas of the County of Cook, State of Illinois, bounded by: Lake Michigan from the Cook-Lake County line southerly to the north corporate limit of the City of Chicago; the north corporate limits of the City of Chicago from Lake Michigan westerly to the east corporate limit of the Village of Niles; the east corporate limits of the Village of Niles from a point where the east corporate limit of the Village of Niles meets both the south corporate limit of the Village of Skokie and the north corporate limit of the City of Chicago to the point where the north corporate limit of the Village of Niles crosses the center of the right-of-way of Illinois Route 21 (Milwaukee Avenue); the center of the right-of-way of Illinois Route 21 (Milwaukee Avenue) to the point where the center of the right-of-way of Illinois Route 21 (Milwaukee Avenue) meets the centerline of Interstate Route 294 (Tri-State Tollway); the center line of Interstate Route 294 (Tri-State Tollway) from the center of the right-of-way of Illinois Route 21 (Milwaukee Avenue) to the Cook-Lake County line; and the Cook-Lake County line from the centerline of Interstate Route 294 (Tri-State Tollway) to Lake Michigan. (2) The Northwest Region includes all the territory, municipalities and unincorporated areas of the County of Cook, State of Illinois, bounded by: the centerline of Interstate Route 294 (Tri-State Tollway), from the Cook-Lake County line southerly to the point where the centerline of Interstate Route 294 (Tri-State Tollway) meets the center of the right-of-way of Illinois Route 21 (Milwaukee Avenue); the center of the right-of-way of Illinois Route 21 (Milwaukee Avenue) from the centerline of Interstate Route 294 (Tri-State Tollway) to the north corporate limit of the Village of Niles; the north corporate limits of the Village of Niles, from the center of the right-of-way of Illinois Route 21 (Milwaukee Avenue) to the east corporate limit of the Village of Niles; the east corporate limits of the Village of Niles from the north corporate limit of the Village of Niles to the point where the east corporate limit of the Village of Niles meets both the south corporate limit of the Village of Skokie and the north corporate limit of the City of Chicago; the south corporate limits of the Village of Niles from a point where the south corporate limit of the Village of Niles meets both the north corporate limit of the City of Chicago and the south corporate limit of the Village of Skokie westerly to the east corporate limit of the City of Park Ridge, southerly along the east corporate limits of the City of Park Ridge to the centerline of Higgins Road, westerly along the center of the right-of-way of Higgins Road to the east corporate limit of the Village of Rosemont, northerly to the south corporate limit of the City of Des Plaines, westerly and northerly along the north and east corporate limits of the Village of Rosemont to the west corporate limit of the Village of Rosemont, southerly along the west corporate limit of the City of Chicago, westerly along the north corporate limit of the City of Chicago to the east corporate limit of the Village of Elk Grove Village, southerly along the east corporate limit of the Village of Elk Grove Village to the Cook-DuPage County line, and westerly along the Cook-DuPage County line to the Cook-Kane County line; the Cook-Kane County line from the Cook-DuPage County line to the Cook-McHenry County line; the Cook-McHenry County line, from the Cook-Kane County line to the Cook-Lake County line; and the Cook-Lake County line from the Cook-McHenry County line to the centerline of Interstate Route 294 (Tri-State Tollway). (3) The North Central Region includes all the territory, municipalities and unincorporated areas of the County of Cook, State of Illinois, bounded by: the west corporate limits of the City of Chicago from the north corporate limit of the Village of Schiller Park southerly to the south corporate limit of the City of Oak Park; the north and west corporate limits of the City of Berwyn from the west corporate limit of the City of Chicago westerly and southerly to the south corporate limit of the Village of North Riverside, the south corporate limits of the Village of North Riverside from the west corporate limit of the City of Berwyn westerly to the center of Salt Creek, the center of Salt Creek from the south corporate limit of the Village of North Riverside westerly to the east corporate limit of the Village of Westchester, the east and south corporate limits of the Village of Westchester from the center of Salt Creek to the west corporate limit of the Village of LaGrange Park, the west corporate limits of LaGrange Park from the south corporate limit of the Village of Westchester to the center of Salt Creek, the center of Salt Creek from the west corporate limit of the Village of LaGrange Park to the Cook-DuPage County line; the Cook-DuPage County line from the center of Salt Creek northerly to the south corporate limit of the City of Chicago; the south corporate limits of the City of Chicago from the Cook-DuPage County line northeasterly to the north corporate limit of the Village of Schiller Park; and the north corporate limit of the Village of Schiller Park from the south corporate limit of the City of Chicago to the east corporate limit of the Village of Schiller Park. Also included in the North Central Region are the territories within the corporate limits of the Village of Rosemont, the Village of Norridge, the Village of Harwood Heights and the unincorporated areas of Norwood Park Township. (4) The Central Region includes all the territory, municipalities and unincorporated areas of the County of Cook, State of Illinois, bounded by: the west corporate limits of the City of Chicago from the corporate limit of the City of Chicago at Roosevelt Road southerly to the north corporate limit of the Village of Bedford Park; the north and west corporate limits of the Village of Bedford Park from the west corporate limit of the City of Chicago westerly and southerly to the north corporate limit of the Village of Justice; the west corporate limits of the Village of Justice from the south corporate limit of the Village of Bedford Park southerly to the north corporate limit of the Village of Willow Springs; the west and north corporate limits of the Village of Willow Springs southerly and westerly to the west corporate limit of the Village of Willow Springs (near the intersection of 79th Street and Howard Street); the center of the right-of-way of 79th Street from the west corporate limit of the Village of Willow Springs westerly to the Cook-DuPage County line; the Cook-DuPage County line from the center of the right-of-way of 79th Street northerly to the center of Salt Creek; the center of Salt Creek from the Cook-DuPage County line easterly to the west corporate limit of the Village of LaGrange Park; the west corporate limits of the Village of LaGrange Park from the center of Salt Creek northerly to the south corporate limit of the Village of Westchester; the south and east corporate limits of the Village of Westchester from the west corporate limit of the Village of LaGrange Park easterly and northerly to the center of Salt Creek; the center of Salt Creek from the east corporate limit of the Village of Westchester easterly to the north corporate limit of the Village of Brookfield; the north and east corporate limits of the Village of Brookfield from the center of Salt Creek easterly and southerly to the north corporate limit of the Village of Riverside; the north and west corporate limits of the Village of Riverside from the east corporate limit of the Village of Brookfield easterly and northerly to the west corporate limit of the City of Berwyn; the west and north corporate limits of the City of Berwyn from the south corporate limit of the Village of North Riverside northerly and easterly to the west corporate limit of the Town of Cicero; and the north corporate limits of the Town of Cicero from the east corporate limit of the City of Berwyn easterly to the west corporate limit of the City of Chicago. Notwithstanding any provision of this Act to the contrary, the Village of Willow Springs is included in the Central Region as of the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 93rd General Assembly. (5) The Southwest Region includes all the territory, municipalities and unincorporated areas of the County of Cook, State of Illinois, bounded by: the west corporate limits of the City of Chicago from the north corporate limit of the Village of Bedford Park (at Illinois 50-Cicero Avenue) southerly to the north corporate limit of the City of Blue Island (at Maplewood Street); the north and west corporate limits of the City of Blue Island from the west corporate limit of the City of Chicago (at Maplewood Street) westerly and southerly to the east corporate limit of the Village of Robbins; the north and west corporate limits of the Village of Robbins from the west corporate limit of the City of Blue Island westerly and southerly to the north corporate limit of the Village Midlothian; the north and west corporate limits of the Village of Midlothian from the west corporate limit of the Village of Robbins westerly and southerly to the north corporate limits of the Village of Oak Forest; the north and west corporate limits of the Village of Oak Forest from the west corporate limit of the Village of Midlothian westerly and southerly to the north corporate limit of the Village of Tinley Park; the north and west corporate limits of the Village of Tinley Park from the west corporate limit of the Village of Oak Forest westerly and southerly to the Cook-Will County line; the Cook-Will County line from the west corporate limit of the Village of Tinley Park westerly to the Norfolk and Western Railroad tracks; the Cook-Will County line from the Norfolk and Western Railroad tracks northerly and westerly to the Cook-DuPage County line; the Cook-DuPage County line from the Cook-Will County line to the center of the right-of-way of 79th Street; the center of the right-of-way of 79th Street from the Cook-DuPage County line easterly to the west corporate limit of the Village of Willow Springs; the north and west corporate limits of the Village of Willow Springs from the center of the right-of-way of 79th Street easterly and northerly to the south corporate limit of the Village of Hodgkins; the south and east corporate limits of the Village of Hodgkins from the north corporate limit of the Village of Willow Springs northeasterly to the south corporate limit of the Village of Bedford Park; and the west and north corporate limits of the Village of Bedford Park from the north corporate limit of the Village of Justice northerly and easterly to the west corporate limit of the City of Chicago (at Illinois Route 50-Cicero Avenue). Notwithstanding any provision of this Act to the contrary, the Village of Willow Springs is excluded from the Southwest Region as of the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 93rd General Assembly. (6) The South Region includes all the territory, municipalities and unincorporated areas of the County of Cook, State of Illinois, bounded by: the Illinois-Indiana State line from the south corporate limit of the City of Chicago southerly to the Cook-Will County line; the Cook-Will County line from the Illinois-Indiana State line westerly and northerly to the west corporate limit of the Village of Tinley Park; the west and north corporate limits of the Village of Tinley Park from the Cook-Will County line northerly and easterly to the west corporate limit of the Village of Oak Forest; the west and north corporate limits of the Village of Oak Forest from the north corporate limit of the Village of Tinley Park northerly and easterly to the west corporate limit of the Village of Midlothian; the west and north corporate limits of the Village of Midlothian from the north corporate limit of the Village of Oak Forest northerly and easterly to the west corporate limit of the Village of Robbins; the west and north corporate limits of the Village of Robbins from the north corporate limit of the Village of Midlothian northerly and easterly to the west corporate limit of the City of Blue Island; the west and north corporate limits of the City of Blue Island from the north corporate limit of the Village of Robbins northerly and easterly to the west corporate limit of the City of Chicago (at Maplewood Street); and the south corporate limits of the City of Chicago from the west corporate limit of the City of Chicago (at Maplewood Street) to the Illinois-Indiana State line. (Source: P.A. 93-158, eff. 7-10-03.)

(70 ILCS 3615/3A.14) (from Ch. 111 2/3, par. 703A.14) Sec. 3A.14. Labor. (a) The provisions of this Section apply to collective bargaining agreements (including extensions and amendments of existing agreements) entered into on or after January 1, 1984. (b) The Suburban Bus Board shall deal with and enter into written contracts with their employees, through accredited representatives of such employees authorized to act for such employees concerning wages, salaries, hours, working conditions, and pension or retirement provisions about which a collective bargaining agreement has been entered prior to the effective date of this amendatory Act of 1983. Any such agreement of the Suburban Bus Board shall provide that the agreement may be reopened if the amended budget submitted pursuant to Section 2.18a of this Act is not approved by the Board of the Authority. The agreement may not include a provision requiring the payment of wage increases based on changes in the Consumer Price Index. The Suburban Bus Board shall not have the authority to enter collective bargaining agreements with respect to inherent management rights, which include such areas of discretion or policy as the functions of the employer, standards of services, its overall budget, the organizational structure and selection of new employees and direction of personnel. Employers, however, shall be required to bargain collectively with regard to policy matters directly affecting wages, hours and terms and conditions of employment, as well as the impact thereon, upon request by employee representatives. To preserve the rights of employers and exclusive representatives which have established collective bargaining relationships or negotiated collective bargaining agreements prior to the effective date of this amendatory Act of 1983, employers shall be required to bargain collectively with regard to any matter concerning wages, hours or conditions of employment about which they have bargained prior to the effective date of this amendatory Act of 1983. (c) The collective bargaining agreement may not include a prohibition on the use of part-time operators on any service operated by the Suburban Bus Board except where prohibited by federal law. (d) Within 30 days of the signing of any such collective bargaining agreement, the Suburban Bus Board shall determine the costs of each provision of the agreement, prepare an amended budget incorporating the costs of the agreement, and present the amended budget to the Board of the Authority for its approval under Section 4.11. The Board may approve the amended budget by an affirmative vote of 12 of its then Directors. If the budget is not approved by the Board of the Authority, the agreement may be reopened and its terms may be renegotiated. Any amended budget which may be prepared following renegotiation shall be presented to the Board of the Authority for its approval in like manner. (Source: P.A. 95-708, eff. 1-18-08.)

(70 ILCS 3615/3A.15) Sec. 3A.15. Free services; eligibility.(a) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, no later than 60 days following the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 95th General Assembly and until subsection (b) is implemented, any fixed route public transportation services provided by, or under grant or purchase of service contracts of, the Suburban Bus Board shall be provided without charge to all senior citizens of the Metropolitan Region aged 65 and older, under such conditions as shall be prescribed by the Suburban Bus Board.(b) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, no later than 180 days following the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 96th General Assembly, any fixed route public transportation services provided by, or under grant or purchase of service contracts of, the Suburban Bus Board shall be provided without charge to senior citizens aged 65 and older who meet the income eligibility limitation set forth in subsection (a-5) of Section 4 of the Senior Citizens and Persons with Disabilities Property Tax Relief Act, under such conditions as shall be prescribed by the Suburban Bus Board. The Department on Aging shall furnish all information reasonably necessary to determine eligibility, including updated lists of individuals who are eligible for services without charge under this Section. Nothing in this Section shall relieve the Suburban Bus Board from providing reduced fares as may be required by federal law. (Source: P.A. 99-143, eff. 7-27-15.)

(70 ILCS 3615/3A.16) Sec. 3A.16. Transit services for individuals with disabilities. Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, no later than 60 days following the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 95th General Assembly, all fixed route public transportation services provided by, or under grant or purchase of service contract of, the Suburban Bus Board shall be provided without charge to all persons with disabilities who meet the income eligibility limitation set forth in subsection (a-5) of Section 4 of the Senior Citizens and Persons with Disabilities Property Tax Relief Act, under such procedures as shall be prescribed by the Board. The Department on Aging shall furnish all information reasonably necessary to determine eligibility, including updated lists of individuals who are eligible for services without charge under this Section. (Source: P.A. 99-143, eff. 7-27-15.)

(70 ILCS 3615/3A.17) Sec. 3A.17. Emergency protocols. Within 6 months after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 96th General Assembly, the Suburban Bus Board must develop written protocols to respond to medical and sanitation emergencies and to other safety hazards. (Source: P.A. 96-677, eff. 8-25-09.)

(70 ILCS 3615/3A.18) Sec. 3A.18. Employment contracts. Except as otherwise provided in Section 3A.14, before the Suburban Bus Board may enter into or amend any employment contract in excess of $100,000, the Suburban Bus Board must submit that contract or amendment to the Board for review for a period of 14 days. After 14 days, the contract shall be considered reviewed. This Section applies only to contracts entered into or amended on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 98th General Assembly. (Source: P.A. 98-1027, eff. 1-1-15.)