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As the mass transit agencies paint a bleak picture regarding the
fiscal cliff in 2026, a funding package appears far from the
finish line. The Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) said it
needs $770 million to keep the systems in the Chicago area
running as usual. The RTA and union groups have estimated that
nearly 3,000 workers could lose their jobs if lawmakers don’t
fund the transit system.
State Sen. Ram Villivallam, D-Chicago introduced legislation
that would restructure and rename the current Regional Transit
Authority to the Northern Illinois Transit Authority, increasing
the number of appointed board members from 16 to 20.
“We also centralized a lot of the decision making on service
plans, capital plans,” said Villivallam during a virtual
briefing Wednesday. “Seven different apps for the [Chicago
Transit Authority], Pace, RTA. We’re saying there should be one
app.”
The state Senate passed legislation that included a statewide
$1.50 delivery tax and a real estate transfer tax. State Rep.
Bill Hauter, R-Morton, said he is surprised by that vote and not
surprised the House failed to take action.
“It is extremely unpopular and poorly put together and
definitely poorly rolled out,” said Hauter.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has suggested a tax on the wealthy
to shift the burden away from a proposal to place a tax on sales
and services.
“There’s been some conversations about a millionaires tax and
other forms of progressive taxation that challenges the
ultra-rich to pay their fair share,” said Johnson.
By law, public transit agencies must craft their budgets under
the assumption that they will not receive support from
Springfield.
Legislators say future deliberations are expected to take place
over the summer.
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