Illinois § 3

§ 3.

Definitions. The following terms, wherever used or referred to in this Act, shall have the following respective meanings, unless in any case a different meaning clearly appears from the context: (a) "Authority" means a Railroad Terminal Authority created pursuant to this Act. (b) "Commissioner" or "Commissioners" shall mean a commissioner or commissioners of a Railroad Terminal Authority, including the Chairman. (c) "City" means a city having a population of 500,000 or more inhabitants as determined by the last preceding Federal census. (d) "Railroad Terminal Area" means any area or areas within the territorial limits of a City which, by reason of location and use of Railroad Terminals, Terminal Facilities and Freight Facilities, widespread areas of trackage, and deleterious or obsolete land use, or any combination of these factors, contributes to the growth of blight in adjacent and surrounding areas; impairs or retards the restoration and proper development of such areas necessary to promote the safety, health, welfare, comfort and convenience of its inhabitants; depresses land values in adjacent and surrounding areas; unnecessarily isolates areas of unused land making it unavailable for any other use; obstructs the continuity of public roads and streets; creates traffic congestion upon public roads and streets; causes undue delay and expense in the transportation of persons and property; and substantially impairs or retards the proper economic and civic growth and development of a City. (e) "Railroad Terminal" means a public place, station or depot (other than an airport or harbor), for receiving and discharging passengers, receiving and delivering baggage, mail, or express matter and for any combination of such purposes, in connection with the transportation of persons and property by public carriers. (f) "Terminal Facilities" means all lands, trackage, switching and servicing facilities, buildings, structures, improvements, equipment and appliances useful in the operation of terminals for passenger traffic, for handling and transporting baggage, mail and express matter, and for the accommodation of the public having access to terminals. (g) "Freight Facilities" means freight yards, freight houses, warehouses and other buildings, structures and improvements used in connection with the shipment, storage and handling of freight by railroad and motor carriers. (Source: Laws 1959, p. 1795.)