Section 70 ILCS 3615/5.01 - Hearings and Citizen Participation(a) The Authority shall provide for and encourage participation by the public in the development and review of public transportation policy, and in the process by which major decisions significantly affecting the provision of public transportation are made. The Authority shall coordinate such public participation processes with the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning to the extent practicable. (b) The Authority shall hold such public hearings as may be required by this Act or as the Authority may deem appropriate to the performance of any of its functions. The Authority shall coordinate such public hearings with the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning to the extent practicable. (c) Unless such items are specifically provided for either in the Five-Year Capital Program or in the annual budget program which has been the subject of public hearings as provided in Sections 2.01 or 4.01 of this Act, the Board shall hold public hearings at which citizens may be heard prior to: (i) the construction or acquisition of any public transportation facility, the aggregate cost of which exceeds $5 million; and (ii) the extension of, or major addition to services provided by the Authority or by any transportation agency pursuant to a purchase of service agreement with the Authority. (d) Unless such items are specifically provided for in the annual budget and program which has been the subject of public hearing, as provided in Section 4.01 of this Act, the Board shall hold public hearings at which citizens may be heard prior to the providing for or allowing, by means of any purchase of service agreement or any grant pursuant to Section 2.02 of this Act, or so providing for or allowing any discontinuance of any public transportation route, or major portion thereof, which has been in service for more than a year. (e) At least twenty days prior notice of any public hearing, as required in this Section, shall be given by public advertisement in a newspaper of general circulation in the metropolitan region. (e-5) With respect to any increase in fares or charges for public transportation, whether by the Authority or by any Service Board or transportation agency, a public hearing must be held in each county in which the fare increase takes effect. Notice of the public hearing shall be given at least 20 days prior to the hearing and at least 30 days prior to the effective date of any fare increase. Notice shall be given by public advertisement in a newspaper of general circulation in the metropolitan region and must also be sent to the Governor and to each member of the General Assembly whose district overlaps in whole or in part with the area in which the increase takes effect. The notice must state the date, time, and place of the hearing and must contain a description of the proposed increase. The notice must also specify how interested persons may obtain copies of any reports, resolutions, or certificates describing the basis upon which the increase was calculated. (f) The Authority may designate one or more Directors or may appoint one or more hearing officers to preside over any hearing pursuant to this Act. The Authority shall have the power in connection with any such hearing to issue subpoenas to require the attendance of witnesses and the production of documents, and the Authority may apply to any circuit court in the State to require compliance with such subpoenas. (g) The Authority may require any Service Board to hold one or more public hearings with respect to any item described in paragraphs (c) , (d) , and (e-5) of this Section 5.01, notwithstanding whether such item has been the subject of a public hearing under this Section 5.01 or Section 2.01 or 4.01 of this Act.Amended by P.A. 095-0906,§ 25, eff. 8/26/2008.Amended by P.A. 095-0708,§ 20, eff. 1/18/2008.