LEGISLATIVE AUDIT COMMISSION

RESOLUTION NO. 123
Presented by Representative Curry

        WHEREAS. the Grade Crossing Protection Fund has been established by statute to be used for specified purposes;

        WHEREAS, authorized uses of the Grade Crossing Protection Fund include the construction or reconstruction of rail highway grade separation structures, statutory transfers to pay the Illinois Commerce Commission's costs in administering its railroad safety program, and payment of costs apportioned by the Illinois Commerce Commission to the Illinois Department of Transportation for expenses related to the separation, installation, construction, reconstruction or relocation of grade crossings used in highways, roads or streets in the county highway system, township and district road system or municipal street system;

        WHEREAS, the essential purpose of such expenditures is to protect the public safety;

        WHEREAS, according to Comptroller's records, over $27 million was expended from the Grade Crossing Protections Fund in Fiscal Year 2001:

        WHEREAS, those records also show over $33 million has been expended to date from the Grade Crossing Protection Fund in Fiscal Year 2002; therefore be it

        RESOLVED, BY THE LEGISLATIVE AUDIT COMMISSION that the Auditor General is directed to conduct a management audit of expenditures from the Grade Crossing Protection Fund; and be it further

        RESOLVED, that the audit include but not be limited to, the following determinations:

• The amount and purpose of expenditures and transfers from the Grade Crossing Protection Fund for Fiscal Years 2001 and 2002, including administrative versus construction-related costs; and
   
• Whether expenditures and transfers from the Grade Protection Fund made in Fiscal Years 2001 and 2002 appeared to be in conformity with applicable statutes;

        BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Illinois Commerce Commission, the Illinois Department of Transportation and any other entity that may have relevant information pertaining to this audit cooperate fully and promptly with the Auditor General's Office in the conduct of this audit; and be it further

        RESOLVED, that the Auditor General commence this audit as soon as possible and report his findings and recommendations upon completion in accordance with the provisions of Section 3-14 of the Illinois State Auditing Act.

        Adopted this 12th day of July, 2002.