What happens next: Key dates and deadlines as RTA transitions to NITA in 2026

2026 will be a major year of transition for Chicago’s regional transit system. Governor Pritzker’s signing of the Northern Illinois Transit Authority Act (Public Act 104-0457) in December begins a new era for public transit. The legislation includes an estimated $1.2 billion in new annual operating funding for transit service and an additional estimated $180 million annually for capital projects.

This new funding allows the system to avert a fiscal cliff. There will be no service cuts, fare increases, or layoffs in 2026, with additional funding available to further increase service in future years. The law reorganizes the transit system under the new Northern Illinois Transit Authority (NITA), which replaces the RTA and takes on additional responsibilities in key areas including fare policy and service and capital planning.

While some changes outlined in the act will take several years to roll out, the initial transition will occur over the course of 2026 with the law prescribing the timing for the transit agencies and the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) to implement the many elements of the legislation. Following are answers to key questions about the transition and a list of important dates and deadlines. You can also review RTA’s full legislative summary.

When does the law take effect?

The law takes effect on June 1, 2026, at which point NITA will replace the RTA.

When will new funding reach the transit system?

The main sources of new operating funding are state sales tax on motor fuel to transit operations (estimated $731 million annually for the Chicago region) and a 0.25% increase in the RTA Sales Tax (estimated $478 million annually). The law initiates the flow of the sales tax on motor fuel to transit starting in summer 2026. The RTA Board must vote to approve the sales tax increase within 60 days of June 1, 2026.

The new revenue for transit capital projects will come from interest on the balance of the state’s road and construction fund (estimated $180 million annually for the Chicago region), which takes effect June 1.

While the new revenue sources will take effect over the summer, it will take several months for the state to administer the new funding and for it to be distributed to NITA and the Service Boards. At this time, new revenue from the sales tax on motor fuel is expected to start reaching the transit system in the third quarter of 2026, and new RTA sales tax revenue is expected to reach the system in the fourth quarter, which would allow for potential service improvements and expansion in 2027.

When are the new transit boards seated?

The terms of current RTA, CTA, Metra, and Pace board members expire on September 1, 2026. Current board members can be reappointed. New NITA and Service Board directors must be appointed by the end of September. Appointing authorities for the new boards include the Governor (NITA, CTA, Metra, Pace), Mayor of Chicago (NITA, CTA, Metra, Pace), Cook County Board President (NITA, CTA, Metra, Pace), and the DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, and Will County Board Chairs (NITA, Metra, Pace).

How will the transition be managed?

The law directs IDOT to contract with a third-party to assist with the transition plan as soon as possible after June 1, 2026. A contract must be in place by September 1, 2026. The plan will include the transition of certain functions between the Service Boards and NITA.

A transition working group must be established by October 1, 2026, comprising 15 members including representatives from NITA, the Service Boards, and labor. The working group will oversee the development of the transition plan, which will include:

A new process and coordination between the Service Boards and NITA to create the 5-year capital program by January 1, 2027
A new process in place by July 1, 2027, for procuring a universal fare system
Consideration of a sworn law enforcement officer crime prevention program on public transit and a crime prevention plan to protect riders and workers
Evaluation of procurement, with special consideration given to the consolidation of bulk fuel purchases, information technology services, consulting contracts, and subscriptions
Evaluation of paratransit programs and recommendations for improved coordination and service. Brought to board by January 1, 2027, for review and approval
A final report of the transition activities already performed, future recommendations, and relevant data for the General Assembly by July 1, 2027

Key 2026 dates and deadlines

June 1: The NITA Act takes effect.
Within 60 days of June 1: RTA Board must act to raise the RTA Sales Tax by .25% in Cook and the Collar Counties.
September 1: IDOT deadline to enter into a contract with a third-party consultant to assist with the transition.
September 1: All current board appointments expire.
September 29: All new board appointments (33 total) must be seated. Seventeen of the 20 members of the NITA Board will also serve on the CTA, Metra, or Pace Board. All state appointees must be confirmed by the Illinois Senate.
October 1: NITA appoints members of Transition Working Group.
December 1: NITA Law Enforcement Task Force submits report of recommendations to the Coordinated Safety Response Council, who will issue a report on using sworn law enforcement officers to respond to crime on public transit by March 2027.

How can I get involved?

The transition will be an ongoing topic at transit agency board meetings throughout the year, which are open to the public and available online (RTA, CTA, Metra, Pace). The Agency is also planning to publish a series of blogs in the coming weeks diving more deeply into the topics addressed by the NITA Act including how to improve frequency and reliability of transit service, how NITA will move toward a unified, seamless fare collection process, how to improve safety on the system, and more. Subscribe to RTA’s twice-a-month Regional Transit Update to stay on top of the latest developments.