New Law Regarding the Illinois Transit System

 Posted on September 24, 2014 in Personal Injury

Accidents causing injury and death can occur in a number of ways and involve any mode of transportation. And although car accidents may be the most common form of crash, there are notable examples of Illinois train accidents which resulted in injuries.

Information Accessibility

On August 22nd, Governor Quinn signed a bill to reform Illinois' mass transit hiring policies. In addition, citizens of the state will have easier access to information online, including mass transit employee salaries and safety and budget information. One benefit touted by the Governor in regards to the new bill was that it would result in increased government accountability. Other proponents of the bill say such legislation will likely prove beneficial to taxpayers, as it promotes a checks-and-balances process regarding large amounts of taxpayer dollars. The increased access to information about the transit system is seen as a victory to taxpayers.

However, Governor Quinn also stated the bill will aid in keeping public transit reliable and efficient for Illinois citizens who rely on mass transit every day. In fact, the bill helps to ensure that residents have access to dependable transportation as well as decreasing corruption and ethical deviations. In addition, the governor's office stated, "The Law will help ensure that Illinois' several mass transit agencies uphold the public's trust and interests at all times."

Specifics of the Bill

According to the bill, an online portal will be created to allow members of the public to access information regarding employees and their contact information, mass transit budget details, and information regarding accidents and safety. In addition, the bill will require advance approval from the transit board and the Senate committee for any mass transit employee contract with a proposed annual salary of more than $100,000. Similar review and approval will be required prior to any employee being awarded bonuses over 10 percent. The bill has had wide bipartisan support in both the Senate and House.

Some believe this bill is just the beginning of legislation that is necessary to achieve the type of reform needed to improve the mass transit system in the state of Illinois. The new law is set to take effect on July 15, 2015.

Accident Injury Attorney

Undoubtedly, one of the considerations in passing this new law related to the mass transit system is ensuring the safety of passengers. Train accidents, like other types of accidents, can happen at any time and can cause serious injury or even death. If you are looking for an attorney experienced in personal injury matters, contact an DuPage County car accident attorney at Mevorah & Giglio Law Offices today to schedule a consultation. We have offices located in Lombard, Bloomingdale, and Naperville.