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The chamber released a report that contains business principles
for mass transit reform. Some of the recommendations include
prioritizing public safety and making sure the business
community has a seat at the table in future policy making.
President and CEO Lou Sandoval said one obvious principal is for
the agencies to be more efficient.
“Identify the efficiencies of where you can consolidate things
and it might be something as simple as [information technology]
vendors,” said Sandoval. “That’s the low hanging fruit.”
The leaders of the Chicago-area transit agencies have pushed
back against any consolidation talk and instead have requested
$1.5 billion in additional funding.
A measure in Springfield would create the Metropolitan Mobility
Authority, which would oversee Metra, Pace, the Chicago Transit
Authority and the Regional Transportation Authority. The
agencies collectively face a budget cliff of over $770 million
in 2026.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker said the entire state has to be considered
when talking about mass transit.
“Whatever we do with regard to transit, there has to be a
component of it that focuses on downstate transit,” Pritzker
said at an unrelated event in Jacksonville Tuesday. “That is
something I have been pushing very hard is that it can’t just be
about Chicago and the surrounding areas.”
Sandoval said the state’s economy relies on a reliable, safe,
modern and efficient transit system that provides access to
jobs, services and opportunities.
“The Illinois Chamber’s guidance offers a balanced,
forward-thinking approach to ensuring our transit systems remain
sustainable and capable of meeting the needs of Illinois
businesses, workers, and the working families they support for
years to come,” said Sandoval.
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