A major transportation bill of $1.5 billion was passed by the Illinois lawmakers to renovate the public transportation sector and build an entirely new framework for the Chicago transportation sector.

This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

Illinois Transit Funding Overhaul Reshapes Regional Mobility
Photo: wikipedia

Illinois Bill Delivers $1.5 Billion Transit Boost

Lawmakers in the state of Illinois managed to secure funds for the enhancement of transit agencies within the Chicago metropolitan area. They passed Senate Bill 2111 to close the financial deficit of $200 million in order to avoid the reduction of services in the year 2026.

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The bill raises $1.5 billion without new statewide taxes. Legislators transferred $860 million from the fuel purchase sale tax, $200 million from the Road Fund, and implemented a sales tax rate boost of 0.25 percent in six counties.

CTA Acting President Nora Leershsen described the bill passed as “transformational.” The CTA will offer new services, embrace smarter technologies, and offer improved work conditions for the public’s enhanced reliability, sustainability, and confidence.

The RTA termed the funds as a turning point. The money enables coordination, faster transportation, and equal accessibility to the Chicago area. Every operator’s budget for the year 2026 contains an additional 10 percent fare price for the upcoming stability of the operators.

Illinois Transit Reform Creates Unified Governance

The act also changes the regional oversight framework. Legislators passed an act to replace the RTA with the Northern Illinois Transit Authority (NITA), which will have the power to coordinate fares, schedules, and strategic planning for CTA, Metra, and Pace.

The board of NITA will comprise 20 members, who will be represented from Chicago, Cook County, the five collar counties, as well as the governor’s office.

Governor JB Pritzker said the Illinois reform encourages the modernization of transportation investment in the state. He listed the measures and added new projects for highways and the tollway, which fit within the plan for a fair mobility system for the state.

Source: www.trains.com

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What is the Illinois transit funding bill?

It is a $1.5 billion package that supports CTA, Metra, and Pace while creating the Northern Illinois Transit Authority to unify transit management.

How will Illinois improve public transport after this bill?

The state plans to expand bus and rail service, upgrade technology, and coordinate schedules under the new authority to deliver faster and more reliable commutes.

Does the Illinois plan include highway projects?

Yes. Governor Pritzker confirmed that the funding also covers new tollway and road projects to strengthen the state’s transportation network.

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