US EditionIllinois has a $770M hole in the transit budget that could leave commuters stranded
- Illinois faces a $770 million transportation budget gap threatening severe service cuts across Chicago starting as early as Saturday, 2025-05-31.
- This budget gap results from declining ridership and the expiration of federal COVID-19 emergency funding, while legislators struggle to secure funding before adjourning.
- The Chicago Transit Authority may close half its elevated train lines and more than half its bus routes, hitting low-income areas like Harvey especially hard.
- Melinda Metzger, Pace’s executive director, warned that without additional state support, bus service could halt after 8 p.m. On weekdays and on weekends, risking disastrous impacts.
- Such cuts could deepen economic hardship in Harvey and beyond, while officials remain hopeful that reforms and funding will prevent the worst outcomes.
15 Articles
15 Articles
Illinois Democratic lawmakers back off the fight to save Chicago transit
CHICAGO—With a financial cliff looming at midnight on May 31, Illinois’ state Democratic lawmakers, even with a supermajority, have jumped ship on aiding Chicago’s mass transit systems. Despite lobbying led by the Amalgamated Transit Union’s two Chicago locals and the state labor federation, the legislature supported a “reform” bill changing the transit system’s structure and fares, but without the $771 million unionists seek in state aid for th…
Cuts To CTA Could Begin Soon If State Doesn't Fill $770 Million Budget Gap
State lawmakers have until Saturday to fill a budget gap facing the CTA, Metra and Pace. A new plan would see the transportation authority renamed, create a universal fare system and fill the gap to avoid layoffs and service cuts.
Illinois has a $770M hole in the transit budget that could leave commuters stranded
Winfred Wilson was struggling to make ends meet on less than $700 a month, so he moved in with his daughter, gave up his car and started relying exclusively on public transit to take him wherever he needed to go across Chicago's southern suburbs.As he waited for a bus connection in his hometown of Harvey on a recent trip to the grocery store, Wilson waved at familiar travelers who regularly pass through the key transportation hub serving one of …
Illinois lawmakers debate plan to overcome $770 million CTA budget shortfall
CHICAGO (WGN) — As public transit workers rallied Thursday for quick legislative action to avert a massive fiscal cliff in next year's budget, one of transit reform's lead negotiators, State Sen. Ram Villivalam, presented a plan to the Senate Transportation Committee to avoid sending regional transit agencies over the edge. "I don't think any of us standing here … can stomach what will happen if we don't act on this," Villivalam said. The Chicag…
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