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RTA Applauds Lawmakers for Passing Transit Bill |
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Looks to the Governor for final signature into law
Springfield – A key funding and reform proposal was approved by the Illinois General Assembly today and Governor Rod Blagojevich announced his intention to sign the measure into law with only minor changes. When signed, the measure will provide the operating funds needed to avert significant service cuts, fare increases and layoffs, scheduled for January 20th.
“A broad regional, bipartisan group of lawmakers made a strong statement today. They have voted to provide stability to our transit system and ensure millions of transit riders will have access to critical services without interruption,” said RTA Board Chairman Jim Reilly. “We thank the legislative leaders and Governor Blagojevich for their hard work. We are eager move forward.”
House bill 656 includes an operating funding plan, institutes important management and fiscal reforms at the RTA and the transit agencies and contains an historic plan to reform and improve the CTA pension and retiree health care system.
House bill 656 is a long-term, comprehensive proposal that includes a ¼ of 1% increase in the sales tax across the RTA region and authorizes the City of Chicago to increase the real estate transfer tax to help support the CTA. In addition, the proposal contains an additional sales tax increase of ¼ of 1% in each of the collar counties, which would be controlled by the individual county boards and could be used for transportation projects – both road and transit – that are approved by each board.
“Senate bill 656 is a sound plan that addresses the long-term needs of the system,” said Steve Schlickman, Executive Director of the RTA. “It is a regional solution to a regional problem. Only the residents who benefit from the system – those in the RTA service area – would be asked to support the system. We think it is the most equitable way to fund regional transit operations.”
“The regional transit network is critical to our economy, our environment and our quality of life,” noted Reilly. “We all know how important it is and today the legislature acted to address the crisis. Representatives Julie Hamos and Sid Mathias deserve a lot of credit for their work over the last three years on this legislation. They worked with their colleagues in both the House and Senate to produce a very sound piece of legislation.”
While House bill 656 addresses the operating needs of the CTA, Metra and Pace, the General Assembly is still considering a state capital funding plan that would address the infrastructure needs of the system. New trains, busses, stations, track and upgrades are needed across the network.
“The most pressing need was to keep the system running,” said Schlickman. “Now that we have addressed operating funding, the next challenge is to address the growing demand for services in the region. We need to expand the system and update our infrastructure and we look forward to working with the Governor and legislature this year on a state capital plan.”
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