SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — State lawmakers worked into the overnight hours to pass a $1.5 billion transit spending and reform plan. The bill's funding options changed drastically during the final 24 hours of session.
Gov. JB Pritzker was able to convince House and Senate sponsors to drop proposals for new statewide taxes that were suggested earlier this week.Â
Transit negotiators agreed to use state motor fuel sales tax revenue to generate $860 million. They also plan to use $200 million in annual interest from the Illinois road fund for transit projects. People in the Chicago metro area will pay higher sales tax and tolls as well.
"Every dollar we invest expands access to jobs," said Rep. Eva-Dina Delgado. "It strengthens small businesses, spurs housing and commercial growth and reduces the congestion and pollution that hurt our neighborhoods."
Many Central and Southern Illinois lawmakers are upset downstate transit companies will only receive $129 million compared to their request for $200 million. Republicans are also furious that a massive chunk of funds dedicated for roads and bridges will be shifted to Chicagoland projects.
"They are taken and used to fund mass transit, with 15% of an expected $860 million total going to downstate and 85% going to the RTA or the new NITA," said Rep. Ryan Spain (R-Peoria).Â
However, sponsors said now is the time to embrace viable long-term solutions that provide a world class transit system for Illinoisans.
"We worked to find a funding mechanism that is able to provide $129 million in operations dollars to downstate transit in addition to approximately $20 million in capital dollars for downstate transit," said Sen. Ram Villivalam (D-Chicago).
Sen. Steve McClure (R-Springfield) said Illinois will lose even more population as residents are "taxed out of control."
"It's one thing to pay taxes," McClure said. "It's another thing to as you're paying these taxes, not see the improvements that you're paying for."
Senate Bill 2111 passed out of the House on a 72-32 vote. The measure received a 36-21 vote in the Senate.Â
Pritzker said the legislation makes important changes to how Illinois operates and manages the transportation network, including investing in new capital projects to make public transit and tollways more modern, efficient and reliable.
"I am pleased the legislation also avoids new broad-based state taxes on Illinois working families," Pritzker said. "Instead, it directs existing state revenue streams to flow towards public transit systems while enabling independent bodies like the Regional Transportation Authority and Tollway Board to decide how to best meet their users' needs."Â
More Statehouse Coverage:
Illinois Senate passes bill allowing Macon County racino, but House adjourns without addressing plan
IL Senate Democrats pass Clean & Reliable Grid Affordability Act, send bill to Pritzker
Bill expanding opportunities for IL craft brewers, distillers heads to Pritzker's desk
Copyright 2025. WAND TV. All rights reserved.
