New Report Underscores Need to Protect Taxpayers, Prevent Future Parking Meter Failures

A new report released today, using official data of the states’ American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA) transportation funding decisions thus far, found Illinois did well prioritizing the repair of roads and bridges, demonstrating a commitment to the goal of ARRA to generate jobs.

Chicago, IL - A study released today by the Illinois Public Interest Research Group (Illinois PIRG) highlights the benefits of boosting transit funding statewide, and the key public transportation projects that could give commuters more choices as they struggle with rising gas prices and increasing traffic congestion.

State DOTs Shortchange Crumbling Infrastructure, Public Transportation, and Long-Term Economic Vitality

Chicago hosts one of eight events across the country, calling on presidential candidates and Congress to build our way out of economic peril and into the 21st Century

Without sufficient alternatives to driving, American families spent their entire economic stimulus check on high-priced gas.

Chicago—Efforts to promote state capital investment in transit received a boost today as state lawmakers and civic leaders held an event in Chicago highlighting a major new report on oil savings and other benefits from public transportation across the country. The Illinois PIRG report, A Better Way to Go: Meeting America’s 21 st Century Transportation Challenges with Modern Public Transit, examines the challenges faced by America’s transportation system and the benefits of existing rail and bus projects in Illinois.

Chicago—With the approval by the Illinois General Assembly of Governor Blagojevich's amendatory veto, commuters can now say good-bye to the cycle doomsday scenarios that have threatened commuters with fare increases and service cuts.

Illinoisans wasted nearly 203 million hours of additional time on the road, and 141 million gallons of additional gas as a result of traffic congestion in 2005. The additional wasted time and fuel cost the public an equivalent of $3.9 billion, according to the federally sponsored Urban Mobility Report released today by the Texas Transportation Institute. The findings underscore the need for additional transit in the region.

CHICAGO—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.

A survey released today by Illinois PIRG (Public Interest Research Group) found nearly half of all respondents rank transit service in Northeastern Illinois less reliable today than it was from just one year ago. At the same time, the poll found 66 percent in support of a tax increase to improve transit service in the region. The internet survey of over 800 Illinoisans comes as the General Assembly considers transit reform and new funding for PACE, Metra and the CTA.

SPRINGFIELD–Citizens and representatives from labor, public interest and community groups descended on Springfield to demand action on Senate Bill 572.

CHICAGO—While state legislators negotiate a state budget, funding to save transit in Northeastern Illinois remains stalled and Governor Blagojevich is threatening to veto legislation that would ensure reliable transit funding for years to come.

CHICAGO—As dire cuts in service and fare hikes loom for Northeastern Illinois transit, a new study by Illinois PIRG (Public Interest Research Group) proposed linking reforms of transit agencies with new, permanent funding sources.

Today’s release of the Illinois Auditor General’s report on mass transit agencies’ performance underscores the need for transparency and accountability to go hand in hand with better funding.