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2023 Regional Transit Operating Budget and Capital Program

The RTA reviews, adopts, and monitors the annual operating budgets and five-year capital programs of all three Service Boards (CTA, Metra, and Pace) in December of each year. This page contains links to budget materials, public meetings, and other details of the process.

The 2023 Regional Transit Operating Budget and Capital Program was adopted on December 15.

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2023 Regional Operating Budget and Capital Program

Download the 2023 Regional Operating Budget and Capital Program and Appendix: A: Capital Project Details.

This document describes a 2023 budget that includes $3.583 billion in operating expenses for northeastern Illinois’ transit system and a the 2023-2027 Regional Capital Program of $5.724 billion. This budget was prepared alongside the draft Regional Transit Strategic Plan, Transit is the Answer.

Download the budget

Public Hearing and Meetings

The RTA held a virtual public hearing on the 2023 Proposed Operating Budget, Two-Year Financial Plan, and Five-Year Capital Program on Wednesday, December 7 from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. Watch a recording of the hearing below.


RTA staff presented draft budget materials to each county board in the region.

Cook County
10:00 a.m.
Tuesday, November 1
Virtual
In person optional:
County Board Room
118 N. Clark St., Chicago

McHenry County
Presentation: 9:00 a.m.
Thursday, November 10
County Administration Building
Conference Room C and County Board
667 Ware Rd, Woodstock
RTA staff available for Q&A
11 a.m.–1 p.m.
Conference Room B
Will County
Presentation: 10:00 a.m.
Thursday, December 8
Will County Board Office
302 N. Chicago St., Joliet
RTA staff available for Q&A
11 a.m.–1 p.m.
Conference Room A

Lake County
Presentation: 8:30 a.m.
Friday, November 4
Lake County Board Office
18 N. County St., 10th Floor, Waukegan
RTA staff available for Q&A
11 a.m.–1 p.m.
Assembly Room

DuPage County
Presentation: 10:00 a.m.
Tuesday, November 22
DuPage Center Administration Building
County Board Room, 3rd Floor
421 N. County Farm Road, Wheaton
RTA staff available for Q&A
10 a.m.–1 p.m.
Room 3-500B
Kane County
Presentation: 9:45 a.m.
Tuesday, December 13
Kane County Government Ctr.
719 S. Batavia Ave., Building A, Geneva
RTA staff available for Q&A
11a.m.–1 p.m.
Auditorium

RTA and representatives from each Service Board will also present on the draft budget at the November 17, 2022 Board of Directors Meeting. Livestream the meeting on the Meeting Materials page.

Metra train stopped in a suburb.

Timeline

Development of the 2023 Operating Budget, Two-Year Financial Plan, and Five-Year Capital program takes place over several months.

  • May: RTA Board adopts annual budget call
  • July: Release of preparatory funding amounts
  • September: RTA Board adopts proposed funding amounts
  • October: Service boards submit proposed budgets and capital programs to the RTA
  • October-December: RTA and the Service Boards hold public hearings and give presentations to county board meetings
  • November 15: Statutory deadline for Service Boards to submit adopted budgets
  • November 17: Service Board present their budgets to the RTA Board of Directors
  • December 15: RTA Board of Directors considers regional budget for adoption

Service Board budget materials and public meetings

Each Service Board held its own public meetings in late October and early November. Links to agency budgets and opportunities for public comment can be found below.

CTA

Proposed budget
Press release

The CTA will hold a virtual public hearing on the on the proposed 2023-2027 Capital Program of Projects, 2023 Operating Budget and Program, and the Financial Plan for 2024 and 2025 at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 10. 

Metra

Proposed Budget
Press release

Metra will hold eight in-person public hearings and one virtual public hearing on its 2023 Budget. More information about ways to submit public comment can be found on Metra's website. The virtual public hearing takes place from 4-6 p.m. on Wednesday, November 2. Although it is not required, the public has the option to preregister if they wish to participate. Learn more.

Wednesday, November 2Thursday, November 3
Will County
4:00 to 6:00 p.m.
Joliet City Hall Council Chambers
150 W. Jefferson St., Joliet
South Suburban Cook County
4:00 to 6:00 p.m.
East Hazel Crest Village Hall
Village Board Room
1904 W. 174th St., Hazel Crest
DuPage County
4:00 to 6:00 p.m.
Clarendon Hills Village Hall
Village Board Room
1 N. Prospect Ave., Clarendon Hills
Kane County
4:00 to 6:00 p.m.
Kane County Government Center
Building A – 1st Floor Auditorium
719 S. Batavia Ave., Geneva
City of Chicago
4:00 to 6:00 p.m.
Metra
Board Room 13th Floor
547 W. Jackson Blvd., Chicago
North Suburban Cook County
4:00 to 6:00 p.m.
Hanover Park Police Department
Community Room
2011 Lake St., Hanover Park
Lake County
4:00 to 6:00 p.m.
Mundelein Village Hall
Village Board Room
300 Plaza Circle, Mundelein
McHenry County
4:00 to 6:00 p.m.
Crystal Lake City Hall
City Council Chambers
100 W. Woodstock St., Crystal Lake
Pace

Proposed budget
Press release 

Pace is holding eight public hearings on its proposed 2023 Operating and Capital Budget Programs, 2023-2025 Financial Plan for Operations, and 2023-2027 Capital Plan. Four meetings are virtual and four are in person. All meetings are live streamed with closed captioning at www.pacebus.com/streaming.

Those who could not attend a public hearing were invited to comment on the proposed budget by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, October 28. 

DuPage County
Thursday, Oct. 20
4:00 p.m.
County Building
421 N. County Farm Rd,
Wheaton, IL 60187
McHenry County
Friday, Oct. 21
4:30 p.m.
Crystal Lake City Hall
100 W. Woodstock Street,
Crystal Lake, IL 60014
Kane County
Monday, Oct. 24
4:00 p.m.
County Government Center
719 S. Batavia Ave.
Geneva, IL 60134
Cook County
Friday, Oct. 28
2:00 p.m.
Howard Mohr Community Center
7640 Jackson Blvd.,
Forest Park, IL 60130

Cook County
Friday, Oct. 21
11:00 a.m.
Virtual

City of Chicago
Tuesday, Oct. 25
5:00 p.m.
Virtual
Will County
Wednesday, Oct. 26
12:00 p.m.
Virtual

Lake County
Thursday, Oct. 27
3:00 p.m.
Virtual

Prior Operating Budgets & Capital Programs
RTA
CTA
Metra
Pace
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