US EditionCTA Faces Massive Cuts as Illinois Budget Ignores Looming $770M Shortfall
- The Chicago Transit Authority and related agencies face a looming $770 million budget shortfall in 2026 after the Illinois General Assembly adjourned without approving transit funding or reforms.
- This funding gap stems from expiring COVID-19 federal relief funds and failed negotiations over a statewide tax bill passed by the Senate but not taken up by the House.
- The organization responsible for managing Chicago's CTA, Metra, and Pace transit systems has cautioned that service reductions could slash up to 40% of public transportation options, which may involve suspending parts of rail lines and eliminating 74 bus routes.
- Estimates indicate nearly 3,000 transit jobs could be lost, with frequency reductions of 10% to 25% on remaining services, and the Labor Alliance stated that the inaction risks massive layoffs and disruptions.
- Despite support from many lawmakers, officials remain concerned about the transit system's future and express a commitment to continuing efforts to secure funding and reforms to prevent drastic cuts starting early next year.
13 Articles
13 Articles
Chicago Sun Times
Usa newsAs CTA plots budget cuts, riders brace for slashes in service, pricey transport options
Lawmakers depart Springfield without funding $770 million needed to cover holes in regional transit agencies' budgets. CTA officials said Monday they would soon begin planning cuts for their 2026 budget. The agency did not say when those cuts could be finalized.
Illinois legislators left Springfield without funding public transit (for now). Here’s what that means for CTA, Metra, Pace
For months, Chicagoland’s transit agencies have sounded an alarm: If lawmakers don’t plug a looming $771 million budget gap, they warned, residents will experience drastic service cuts on the CTA, Metra and Pace next year. Over the weekend, Illinois lawmakers adjourned their spring legislative session without passing legislation that would avert the fiscal cliff. The Regional Transportation Authority, which oversees CTA, Metra and Pace, has warn…
Illinois Lawmakers Race Against Clock to Prevent CTA Service Cuts as $770M Budget Gap Looms
June 2, 2025 — Springfield, IL — With a $770 million budget shortfall threatening to derail Chicago’s public transportation system, Illinois lawmakers are under mounting pressure to strike a funding deal before the General Assembly adjourns this week. If no resolution is reached, the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) warns it may be forced to implement sweeping service cuts and layoffs starting this fall. Illinois Lawmakers Race Against Clock to P…
Chicago Public Transit In Limbo After State Lawmakers Fail To Fill Nearly $1 Billion Budget Gap
CHICAGO — The Chicago Transit Authority and other public transit agencies are staring down steep cuts to service after state legislators ended a spring session without passing a funding bill to stave off a major fiscal cliff the agencies are facing. State legislators approved a 2026 budget in the final moments of its spring session Saturday, but lawmakers did not pass a bill that would reform the regional transit system and provide funding to pl…
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