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The state Senate passed a funding package that included a $1.50
retail delivery tax throughout the state to help offset the
deficit, but the measure did not move in the Illinois House
before the end of the spring legislative session.
Although transit agency leaders warned of looming service cuts
and layoffs if they don’t receive additional funding, House
Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, D-Hillside, said this week that
it’s better for lawmakers to move slowly and get it right
instead of moving fast and getting it wrong.
“Funding doesn’t run out until Dec. 31. We’re back in session in
October for veto session. We have time. The folks that are in
charge of those agencies know that the funding is there until
Dec. 31. They are in charge of being responsible and efficient
with the resources they have,” Welch said.
State Sen. Ram Villivalam, D-Chicago, said there was widespread
consensus for a proposed reform package this spring, but
legislation to fund transit stalled.
Villivalam proposed a statewide $1.50 tax on retail delivery
services, real-estate transfer taxes and environmental impact
fees.
“I’m open to other funding plans, but it has to be at $1.5
billion. If there isn’t one, we’d like our legislation to move
forward,” Villivalam said during a webinar last week.
Villivalam encouraged viewers to present better funding plans if
they had them.
State Rep. Bill Hauter, R-Morton, said at a virtual town hall
last week that mass transit agencies need an overhaul.
“They need to reform the sprawl of the different agencies,”
Hauter said. “They won’t do that if they can get more taxes and
more of other people’s money.”
Gov. J.B. Pritzker said the state would not address the fiscal
cliff alone.
“There are lots of sources, right, the counties where there are
residents who are affected, the city of Chicago, Cook County,
too, and the riders themselves,” Pritzker said at a
budget-signing ceremony on Monday.
Kevin Bessler contributed to this report.
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