Office of Planning and Programming

Section 1225 Section 1225.250  Office of Planning and Programming The Office of Planning and Programming is responsible for developing programs aimed at improving the State's transportation system.  This includes working with metropolitan planning organizations in ten of the State's urbanized areas to develop programs relating to urban transportation; coordinating a surveillance program to monitor the physical condition of the State's transportation system, the level of service provided, and the need for improvement; evaluating proposals for major investments in State's transportation system and overall benefits to be gained. This Office is responsible for assuring the continuation of State rail services where the potential for efficiency and economy are most favorable, and minimizing the expenditure of public funds for rail subsidies.  The Chicago Area Transportation Study (CATS) serves as a forum for transportation decision-making by local elected officials in northeastern Illinois. a)         The Bureau of Railroads is responsible for assuring the continuation of rail freight services in the State where the potential for efficiencies and economies are most favorable, and minimizing the expenditure of public funds for rail passenger subsidies. b)         The Bureau of Statewide Program Planning is responsible for the development of the Illinois Transportation Plan, the annual and multi-year Transportation Improvement Programs, and the construction and grants budget as they relate to the highway system. c)         The Bureau of Urban Program Planning is responsible for the assessment, development, and preparation of the Illinois Transportation Plan, the Illinois Transportation Improvement Program and capital grants budget as they relate to aviation and public transportation.  This Bureau administers metropolitan Planning Program in cooperation with various State and local planning agencies and is responsible for the transportation data and support activities for the Office of Planning and Programming. d)         The Chicago Area Transportation Study (CATS) is responsible for collecting, processing, and evaluating transportation data; forecasting future transportation demands; and formulating testing and evaluating proposals for future transportation systems cooperatively with three other recognized regional planning agencies in the Chicago-Gary Region.