Public transit is the backbone of our economy, connecting millions of commuters, tourists and visitors to work, our world-class museums and arts institutions, school, health care and more every single day. Yet, across the country, cities are facing multimillion-dollar transit budget shortfalls — or a “transit fiscal cliff.” Chicago is no different. We’re at a defining moment for the future of public transit, and the Chicago region can lead the way nationally by investing in itself and the transit riders who use our system every day.
Echoing a growing national trend, transportation advocates, environmentalists and labor unions across Illinois are urging the Illinois General Assembly to address the state’s $770 million budget shortfall. They are calling for bold action by May 31: a $1.5 billion annual investment in sustainable funding to ensure a safer, cleaner and more equitable transit future.
If left unaddressed by May 31, city bus service could shrink by nearly 60%, Metra may eliminate early-morning and late-night trains, and suburban buses and paratransit may be forced to cancel all weekend service. These cuts would not only impede mobility for working families but also jeopardize nearly 3,000 jobs and put $2.6 billion in annual economic activity at risk. Missing the window for action by May 31 will force transit agencies to shift from growth to survival, demanding that they begin planning for budget cuts, layoffs and service reductions.
Illinois is at a crossroads, but with action by the end of the month, the state can follow the lead of peer states that navigated similar transit crises with clarity and courage.
In California, the state Legislature stepped up in 2023 with a $5.1 billion transit rescue package. The funding prevented deep service cuts in the Bay Area and Los Angeles while laying the groundwork for systemwide improvements in safety and frequency. In Massachusetts, the administration of Gov. Maura Healey launched an ambitious $1.1 billion overhaul of the MBTA, reinforcing infrastructure, increasing accessibility, and accelerating workforce development for transit operators and mechanics. These states didn’t just avert disaster. They positioned themselves for transit systems that meet the moment for riders in a post-COVID world by emphasizing safety and efficiency.
Investing $1.5 billion in Illinois transit is about building a future where all residents, regardless of income or ZIP code, have access to fast, reliable, affordable and clean transportation. It’s about aligning with our climate goals: Public transit emits 55% less carbon pollution per trip than private vehicles, making it one of the most effective tools for combating climate change. It’s about accessibility: giving Illinoisans more options to get around that meet riders’ needs. And it’s about equity: ensuring communities of color, working families and essential workers aren’t left behind.
Crucially, this investment will also reaffirm Illinois’ commitment to good, union jobs. Transit workers are not just operators and technicians; they are front-line heroes and essential workers who kept our region moving through a pandemic and who now stand ready to lead us into a cleaner, more connected future. Strengthening public transportation means strengthening the essential workforce that makes it possible.
While Illinois faces a crisis without action, there is also an opportunity to be embraced that can catalyze transformation. Riders are demanding a system that is safer, faster and more reliable. A $1.5 billion annual investment by May 31 is what’s needed to deliver that vision.
This isn’t about politics. It’s about practicality. It’s about economic resilience, environmental responsibility and social equity. It’s time to do right by our communities. We all deserve a world-class transit system — and Illinois can serve as an example of what it looks like to match calamity with collaboration.
On May 31, will the General Assembly be remembered for slashing bus routes and laying off workers, or for rising to meet the moment with vision and resolve? The choice is ours — and Illinois’ future is riding on it.
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