HIGHWAY BITS AND PIECES By WILLIAM T. SUNLEY, Engineer of Local Roads and Streets

Americans With Disabilities Act

An article explaining the Americans With Disabilities Act appeared in the fall, 1991 issue of The Municipal Counselor and was repeated in the February, 1992 County and Township Officials magazine. This new law took effect January 26, and is bringing sweeping changes to the way public agencies, businesses and property owners deal with an estimated 43 million disabled Americans.

There are provisions of the Act which directly impact streets and highways. Title III of the Act (Public Accommodation) requires, among other things, that curb cuts or ramps be provided at all marked and unmarked crosswalks where there are curbs. These accommodations must be in place by January 26, 1995.

Current practice has been to install curb cuts and ramps whenever a street or highway project disturbs the existing curbs. The new Act is not contingent upon other street or highway improvements being made at the same time.

Public entities which employ 50 or more persons must develop, within 6 months of January 26, 1992, a transition plan indicating where curb cuts are needed and prioritizing their installation. Priority should be given to walkways serving state and local government offices and facilities, transportation, places of public accommodation (restaurants, theaters, etc.) and employers.

IDOT Used Equipment and Vehicle Sales

In the spring of last year, we described in this column the IDOT Used Equipment and Vehicle Sales program. As a part of this program, the department will be offering used automobiles and light-duty trucks for sale to units of local government after this year's construction season. Vehicles scheduled to be sold may be inspected during the period of April 27 through May 8, 1992 with sealed bids due May 14, 1992. Off-road equipment will probably be offered for sale in June.

If your agency does not currently receive the mailing list of available vehicles and you wish to receive it, you may submit a written request or simply give us a call. Write to the Illinois Department of Transportation, Equipment Coordinator, 2300 South Dirksen Parkway, Room 216, Springfield, Illinois 62764 or call Jim Thompson at (217) 782-0804 (vehicle) or Wayne Reincke at (217) 785-8365 (equipment).

Direct Deposit of Motor Fuel Tax Funds

In March of 1989, all recipients of Motor Fuel Tax (MFT) funds received a memorandum from then State Treasurer Jerry Cosentino, giving details of an optional direct deposit program for these funds. This program provides for the deposit of MFT funds into the Illinois Public Transportation Investment Pool (IPTIP), administered by the State Treasurer.

The IPTIP is designed to provide a convenient and economical means of investing short-term funds held by public treasurers at the best rates available. There is no minimum holding period. Funds deposited one day may be withdrawn the next. Also, funds could be deposited on Friday and withdrawn on Monday to earn three days interest.

The direct deposit program offers an extremely efficient method for local governments to receive MFT funds two to five days earlier than if they were sent through the mail. Local governments will begin earning interest on these funds immediately upon deposit into IPTIP.

There was a strong initial response to this program, with approximately 25 counties (including townships in , most cases) and 294 municipalities now participating. If your agency would like to take advantage of this method of deposit, or if you would like more information on IPTIP, call the toll free number, 1-800-252-1774. If you would be interested in having a marketing representative of the State Treasurer come speak to a group about these programs, arrangements can be made by calling (217) 524-4910. •

March 1992 / Illinois Municipal Review / Page 7