Illinois lawmakers approve new $1.5B plan to fund CTA, Metra and Pace
$1.5 Illinois transit bill addresses fiscal cliff facing Chicago-area transit agencies
This bill passed this morning after months of debate and last minute dealmaking. Democrats who sponsored it say it will transform public transit for a generation, creating a more unified system where the trains and buses run frequently and on time.
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - Illinois lawmakers approved a $1.5 billion public transit funding package early Friday, averting a looming "fiscal cliff" that threatened service for CTA, Metra and Pace riders.
What we know:
The measure instead redirects revenue from motor fuel sales taxes and the state’s Road Fund, along with a new sales tax increase in the Chicago region, to address looming budget gaps for the transit agencies.
By the numbers:
The House passed the bill 72-33 early Friday, followed by a 36-21 Senate vote. The plan aims to close a projected $937 million transit deficit by 2028 and prevent service cuts of up to 40%.
Roughly $860 million will come from redirecting existing fuel tax revenue, $200 million from Road Fund interest, and $478 million from a quarter-percent regional sales tax hike.
The bill also raises tolls on northern Illinois roads by 45 cents to fund transportation projects and reduces the share of transit revenue required from fares to 25%.
The measure also establishes a new Northern Illinois Transit Authority to oversee CTA, Metra, and Pace under a unified system, coordinate fares, and address safety, homelessness, and mental health on public transit. The changes take effect June 1, pending the governor’s approval.
Illinois lawmaker breaks down $1.5B transit bill that dodges fiscal cliff
State Rep. Eva-Dina Delgado (D-Chicago) explains how the new transit funding plan keeps trains and buses running while raising revenue through gas taxes and toll increases.
What they're saying:
Gov. JB Pritzker said he plans on signing the bill into law, praising the collaboration of state politicians.
"The legislation makes important changes to how Illinois operates and manages our transportation network, including investing in new capital projects that will make our public transit and tollways more modern, efficient, and reliable for riders," Pritzker said in a statement. "I am pleased the legislation also avoids new broad-based state taxes on Illinois working families. Instead, it directs existing state revenue streams to flow towards public transit systems while enabling independent bodies like the Regional Transportation Authority and Tollway Board to decide how to best meet their users’ needs.
State Rep. Kam Buckner, D-Chicago, who supported the measure, said it represents a comprehensive fix for long-standing issues in Illinois’ transit system.
"This isn't just another transportation bill, it's a transformation bill," Buckner said. "For 50 years, Illinois has been trying to fix transit one piece at a time. We've done it in parts, but never as a plan…. This bill is our chance to finally fix all three: structure, governance and funding at the same time, in the same bill."