The Authority has the power to apply for and accept grants, loans, advances, and appropriations from the federal government and from the State of Illinois, or any agency or instrumentality thereof, to be used for the purposes of the Authority, and to enter into any agreement in relation to such grants, loans, advances, and appropriations. The Authority may also accept from the State, or any State agency, department, or commission, any county or other political subdivision, any municipal corporation, any Railroads, school authorities, or jointly therefrom, grants of funds or services for any of the purposes of this Act. The Authority shall be treated as a rail carrier subject to the Illinois Commerce Commission’s jurisdiction and eligible to receive money from the Grade Crossing Protection Fund, any fund of the State, or other source available for purposes of promoting safety and separation of at-grade railroad crossings or highway improvements.
     The Illinois Commerce Commission Crossing Safety Improvement Program FY 2014-2018 Plan shall be revised to include this Authority’s grade separation project as one of the bridge projects contemplated for FY 2015 through FY 2018, and funds from the Grade Crossing Protection Fund shall be allocated in the FY 2015 through FY 2018 Plan for said grade separation project. No Order of the Illinois Commerce Commission shall be effective or binding on the Authority to construct the grade separation project unless the federal government, the State of Illinois, or any agency or instrumentality thereof has granted or appropriated sufficient funds for the construction of the grade separation project and the Authority is in receipt of those funds. Notwithstanding, the Illinois Commerce Commission shall not withhold approval of the construction of the Authority’s grade separation project or the issuance of any Orders that authorize the construction of the Authority’s grade separation project.