Chicago Takeover? Suburban Lawmakers Divided over New Transit Bill

Mass transit reform legislation revealed but funding stream finds pushback

(The Center Square) – Lawmakers are calling for a massive investment into Illinois mass transit, but where the funding comes from remains up in the air.

Chicago takeover? Suburban lawmakers divided over new transit bill

A new plan to reform public transit that emerged Wednesday in the General Assembly would establish the Northern Illinois Transportation Authority in place of the Regional Transportation Authority and create one universal fare system.

As fiscal cliff looms, officials excoriate proposed Chicago transit plan

With COVID-era funding set to dry up, Illinois officials are scrambling to address public transit concerns, with one new plan drawing intense scrutiny. The proposed plan would consolidate the Chicago Transit Authority, Metra and Pace under one 20-member board, but would also entail implementing new taxes, increased tolls, and even surcharges on property taxes within areas covered by the transit agencies. Federal COVID-19 grant money is set to ru…

Illinois lawmakers’ last-minute bill would restructure Chicago-area transit, but not address funding crisis

An Metra train passes through CP Morgan in Chicago’s West Loop shortly after leaving Union Station on April 11, 2025. New Illinois legislation would restructure Chicago-area transit agencies but does not address those agencies’ funding shortfall. David Lassen SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Illinois lawmakers have introduced a bill to restructure Chicago area transit agencies — but the bill does not address the $770 million shortfall that could lead to sign…

Illinois lawmakers drop bill to address security and governance of mass transit around Chicago

After months of debate, Illinois legislators released a transit reform proposal that renames the Regional Transportation Authority, establishes a consolidated police force and creates a universal fare system for the Chicago area’s mass transit agencies.But a gaping hole in the plan remains. The bill does not address revenue options to pay for it.The proposed changes come as the RTA system faces a $770 million budget shortfall. Legislators in Spr…

Lawmakers Unveil Plan to Overhaul Chicago-Area Transit With New Oversight Agency, But No Solution for Fiscal Cliff

The bill would replace the Regional Transportation Authority, which oversees CTA, Metra, and Pace, with a new entity called the Northern Illinois Transit Authority. It would be charged with creating a universal fare system and ensuring coordination of service and capital projects.