Illinois lawmakers facing big questions about public transit
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Illustration: Lindsey Bailey/Axios
The Illinois General Assembly's fall veto session begins Tuesday, and lawmakers have some big issues to tackle, including whether to shell out much-needed funds for Chicago regional public transit.
Why it matters: The Regional Transportation Authority, which oversees CTA, Metra and Pace, is facing a shortfall of about $200 million next year, due to expired COVID relief funds and reduced ridership from pre-pandemic days.
- That shortfall grows to almost $790 million in 2027 and close to $890 million in 2028 without new state funding.
- Fare increases, service cuts, and layoffs are still expected in 2026 without money from the state, RTA outlined in budget statements.
Driving the news: Session runs Tuesday through Thursday, and picks up again Oct. 28-30.
Reality check: CTA riders should expect a fare increase to go into effect Feb. 1, 2026, even if lawmakers provide funding, the agency announced Monday.
- Base fare will go up 25 cents — $2.50 for the bus and $2.75 for the train.
- A one-day pass will increase $1, a 7-day pass goes up $5 and a 30-day pass will cost $10 more.
How it works: Lawmakers review legislation that Gov. JB Pritzker vetoed — and could override his veto with a three-fifths majority in each chamber.
- Pritzker issued three vetoes during the spring session, including one for a state treasurer-backed bill to create an investment fund for nonprofits.
- The legislature will also take up bills that were kicked down the road from the spring session or came up during summer.
Zoom in: In addition to transit funding, a major green-energy bill could be on the table as supporters behind the Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act argue the bill would create more clean energy and lower consumers' utility bills.
- The bill calls for more battery storage in the system, more rebates for Illinoisans to weatherize their homes for efficiency, and increasing funds for low-income energy-efficiency programs.
- During the spring session, the bill faced opposition from some labor leaders and operators of the state's commercial nuclear power plants, in part because of a proposal to require data centers to fund new energy developments, Capitol News Illinois reported.
What we're watching: Lawmakers have continued to tell public transit leaders and advocates that they won't approve new funding without reform, but it's been unclear what specific reforms they are looking for and how agencies could accomplish them before enacting service cuts.