After years of “fiscal cliffs and “doomsday scenarios,” Chicago transit now has a financial lifeline from Springfield.
On Tuesday at Union Station, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed a sweeping transit bill designed to modernize public transportation throughout the state, but especially in the Chicago area.
“This is a once in a lifetime investment that will benefit everyone, especially the overall Illinois economy.” Prizker said.
The bill, which passed with mostly Democratic support, would replace the Regional Transportation Authority with a new body called the Northern Illinois Transit Authority. The NITA would have expanded authority over the CTA, Metra and Pace.
The newly-signed legislation calls for $1.5 billion in new annual transit funding, which will come, in part, from redirecting the state fuel sales tax to fund transit. The change is expected to bring in about $860 million annually.
Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle called the measure “essential to our economic vitality and quality of life.”
Other funds will come from a quarter percent RTA sales tax increase in Cook, Lake, McHenry, DuPage and Will counties.
If the Illinois Tollway Authority approves, there would also be 45-cent increase in tolls.
“Communities can stop worrying about whether service can survive from one year to the next and start focusing on serving people better.” Said Laura Calderone, executive director of the Illinois Public Transportation Association.
There are also provisions designed to make it easier to go from one transit system to another, a unified fare structure, coordinated timetables and even a single phone app that will be used by all the agencies.
Safety is also part of the bill, including requiring updated safety plans and a new program that will put unarmed “ambassadors” on trains and buses.
All of the changes will kick in when the bill goes into effect in June of 2026.
Hence then, the article about bill to transform public transit in illinois signed into law here s what is included was published today ( ) and is available on NBC Chicago ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Bill to transform public transit in Illinois signed into law. Here's what is included )
Also on site :