Illinois Transit Bill Includes ‘Transit to Trails’ Grant Program Expanding Bus Routes to Parks

SPRINGFIELD, IL - On Tuesday, December 16, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker signed Senate Bill 2111into law, which represents a major initiative to modernize and enhance Illinois' public transit system. The Sierra Club's Illinois Chapter and Outdoors for All campaign applaud the bill for improving Illinoisans' connection to nature, including through provisions in the bill creating a "Transit to Trails" grant program to expand bus routes to parks and green spaces.

"Access to the outdoors shouldn't depend on your ZIP code or income," said Jack Darin, Director of the Sierra Club Illinois Chapter. "We know time in nature boosts people's mental and physical health, reduces stress, and strengthens our sense of community. Yet far too many Illinoisans - especially those living in low-income neighborhoods and communities of color - still lack safe, reliable access to nature. We applaud Gov. Pritzker for signing this bill into law."

"In Illinois, 80% of low-income residents and 77% of people of color live in areas with limited access to nature. By expanding bus routes to parks and green spaces, the Transit to Trails program takes a meaningful step toward closing the nature gap. This program will help ensure every community can enjoy the health, joy, and connections that come from spending time outdoors," said Gerry James, deputy director of the Sierra Club's Outdoors For All campaign.

SB 2111 represents a major overhaul of transit governance in the state by creating a new regional transit authority, providing $1.5 billion in long-term funding, removing mandatory parking minimums near transit, and creating the "Transit to Trails" grant program.

Projects that may receive funding from the grant program include altered or expanded operations of existing transit services to accommodate increased public access to the outdoors; new or improved infrastructure to facilitate access, including stations, stops, shelters, and bike infrastructure; and public outreach efforts to inform the public and encourage the use of transit.

Eligible grant recipients include public transit agencies; owners of lands accessible by the general public, including park districts, conservation districts, and forest preserve districts; and local governments, state agencies, and nonprofit organizations working on outdoor recreation. The grant program prioritizes communities with the greatest need for nature access, including R3 Areas (communities harmed by violence, excessive incarceration, and economic disinvestment), environmental justice communities, and areas with inadequate park space or recreation facilities.

About the Sierra Club

The Sierra Club is America's largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit https://www.sierraclub.org.