Major reforms to the regional transit system have yet to be considered by Governor
Blagojevich and the General Assembly, even though the state budget passed last week. In a March
2007 report following an audit of the system, Illinois Auditor General William Holland concluded
that revenue from a regional sales tax had failed to keep up with the rising costs of running the
system.
Legislation, based on the Auditor’s report, is pending before the General Assembly right now to
address the crisis. Transit advocates gathered at Governor Blagojevich’s neighborhood CTA stop
Wednesday to remind him that his neighborhood benefits from transit service, as do
neighborhoods across the region.
Representatives from the Center for Neighborhood Technology, Transit Riders Alliance, Illinois
Public Interest Research Group, Center for Tax and Budget Accountability, Metro Seniors in
Action, Metropolitan Planning Council and concerned riders joined together to highlight weeks of
inactivity in Springfield at a time when “doomsday scenarios” loom and Pace, Chicago Transit
Authority (CTA), and Metra have announced cuts beginning in September.
“The job’s not done in Springfield,” said David LeBreton with CNT. “Governor Blagojevich and
the four legislative leaders need to get back to the work and solve our region’s transit crisis.”
“SB 572 is the long term solution we need. It provides the reforms called for in the Auditor
General’s report as well as the necessary investment to keep this region’s trains and buses running
for years to come,” added Brian Imus, State Director with Illinois PIRG. “Our leaders need to
return to Springfield to pass this bill and put an end to yearly doomsday scenarios.”
SB 572 was crafted by members of both parties and includes a 0.25% increase in the region’s sales
tax and allows the City of Chicago to increase its real estate transfer tax.
“A short-term bailout of the CTA is not a solution.” said Dia Cirillo, Policy Director with the
Center for Tax and Budget Accountability. “Springfield actually has a long term, regional
solution on which they need to act.”
All three service boards have outlined a series of draconian service cuts and fare increases in the
event lasting reforms are not legislated.
“Ravenswood Manor is an appealing place to live because of the Brown Line,” said Rick Harnish
with the Transit Riders Alliance, explaining the location’s significance. “High-quality transit
service provided by the CTA, Pace and Metra has made areas all over Chicagoland attractive
places to live and do business."
