Northern Illinois Transit Authority is moving to the center of Chicago’s transit overhaul, while added operating funds begin supporting service improvements on Metra’s Electric District.

Northern Illinois Transit Authority begins transition
Photo: www.rtachicago.org

The Regional Transportation Authority board approved a 0.25% increase in the RTA sales tax. According to the Regional Transportation Authority, the move is required under the NITA Act, which was passed by the Illinois legislature and signed last year by Gov. JB Pritzker. The higher tax will take effect on Aug. 1 across the six counties served by the Chicago Transit Authority, Metra, and Pace: Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, and Will.

The increase will apply to purchases already covered by the existing RTA sales tax. It is expected to bring in more than $199 million this year and more than $500 million in 2027, the first full year of collection.

Northern Illinois Transit Authority transition moves ahead

The RTA board’s action begins the formal shift from the RTA to the Northern Illinois Transit Authority. The new agency is due to be established on Sept. 1, when the terms of the new NITA board members begin. Under the revised structure, NITA will receive broader authority over fares and schedules for CTA, Metra, and Pace.

The governance change follows the wider Illinois transit funding overhaul, which Railway Supply previously covered in the context of Chicago-area transit reform and the creation of NITA. RTA Board Chair Kirk Dillard said the decision marks a new stage for regional transit. He said riders should see service continue without interruption, while new funding supports more security personnel, expanded service, improved fare programs, and better customer information across the region.

The RTA board had already amended the 2026 operating budget in May to include $132.2 million in NITA funding for operating improvements. Nearly $60 million of that amount is assigned to safety and security.

During the transition period, appointments to the new NITA board will be made by Gov. JB Pritzker, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, and the chairs of the county boards in the five other counties.

Metra Electric District service increase starts June 15

Metra is also using the added operating funds to expand service on the Electric District from June 15. The agency had already announced Rock Island District service upgrades, which took effect today.

The new Electric District schedule is meant to make service patterns easier to follow. In its Metra Electric Line schedule update, Metra said the changes add stops at all three Hyde Park stations, giving passengers service every 20 minutes on average. The schedule also adds stops at the newly renovated 79th Street/Chatham, 87th Street/Woodruff, and 103rd Street/Rossmore stations.

The Blue Island Branch will receive more midday service. On the South Chicago Branch, morning outbound service will be extended by 40 minutes, and evening inbound service will increase by two hours. Metra said the complete new schedule is available online.

Regional rail service becomes a broader goal

Metra Executive Director and CEO Jim Derwinski said the timetable revision moves the agency closer to its goal of implementing regional rail service across the system. He said the changes support reverse commuting, suburb-to-suburb trips, and leisure travel, rather than focusing only on traditional peak-period commuter service.

Taken together, the measures connect new transit funding with practical service changes. They also show how the transition from the RTA to NITA is expected to affect riders not only through governance changes, but also through more visible improvements across the Chicago regional transit network.