SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — State lawmakers face a major challenge heading into budget discussions next year as Chicago public transit agencies face a $730 million fiscal cliff. Yet, central Illinois transit riders argue local bus companies need more funding too.
Chicago transit companies have asked lawmakers to provide a massive amount of funding to address their own mismanagement, and leaders know that wouldn't be fair for taxpayers outside Cook and the collar counties.
Chicago transit companies have asked lawmakers to provide a massive amount of funding to address their own mismanagement, and leaders know that wouldn't be fair for taxpayers outside Cook and the collar counties.
"52 out of the 56 public transit agencies that are not in the Regional Transportation Authority region have the ability to present their needs, desires and the case for funding that their areas also deserve," Sen. Ram Villivalam said Tuesday.
Experts say 30% of the population can't drive, leaving many people with unsafe and inadequate options to get them where they need to go. Champaign-Urbana transit planner Cynthia Hoyle told the Senate Transportation Committee that people in small central Illinois communities desperately need rides.
"They want more frequent bus trips," Hoyle said. "They want more access to other areas that we currently don't serve. We have great transit for a mid-size American city, but it's not enough."
Springfield residents are also calling for funding to add Sunday service for Sangamon Mass Transit. Riders like Reggie Guyton are forced to pay at least $20 a day to get to and from work.
"Unfortunately, the poor, the disabled, and those who have to work a lot are consistently left out of the conversation," Guyton said. "I ask that we work on expanding the transit not just in Springfield but around the surrounding areas so that we can create more connectivity, we can have more understanding and we can work to bridge the gaps between those who have and have not."
Lawmakers will return to Springfield for veto session next month. Although, they plan to spend most of the 2025 session debating public transit funding and reform.
Copyright 2024. WAND TV. All rights reserved.
