(The Center Square) – Elected officials around the state are keeping a close eye on public transit negotiations at the Illinois Capitol.
Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson both lobbied for more funding while visiting Springfield Wednesday.
“My team, working with the Chicago Transit Authority, has been very clear about the importance of ensuring that the region that generates 87% in ridership has to receive its fair share in funding,” Johnson said.
Preckwinkle said transportation legislation is her priority this legislative session.
“Northeastern Illinois is the economic engine of the state of Illinois, and a well-functioning public transportation system is essential to our economic growth and vibrancy,” Preckwinkle said.
The Chicago Democrat said she would like transit governance to be more streamlined.
“Dozens of appointing entities doesn’t make sense to us. We also believe, if we’re going to get state support for this, that the governor should have some appointments on our transit boards,” Preckwinkle said.
Preckwinkle thanked state Rep. Eva-Dina Delgado, D-Chicago, and state Sen. Ram Villivallam, D-Chicago, for their work on transit legislation.
State Sen. Don DeWitte, R-St. Charles, said lawmakers are close to agreed language on governance. DeWitte said it appears that current transit boards would stay in place under a newly-empowered Regional Transit Authority board.
“I think if we can get governance resolved, get the $770 million fiscal cliff resolved this session, and I think it can be done before the end of May, we can deal with the bigger problem down the road of how do we make the system better,” DeWitte said.
According to DeWitte, Illinois needs a $1.5 billion revenue stream to create the type of mass transit system people want.
When asked about Johnson’s push for more funding in Chicago, DeWitte said suburban areas generate almost as much RTA revenue as the city does.
