SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — Gov. JB Pritzker signed a $1.5 billion transit spending and reform plan into law Tuesday. The law averts the Chicago transit fiscal cliff despite concerns from downstate lawmakers and taxpayers.
State lawmakers worked into the overnight hours on the final day of veto session to pass the legislation, and the funding options changed drastically during the final 24 hours.
Transit negotiators agreed to use state motor fuel sales tax revenue to generate $860 million. The law also takes $200 million in annual interest from the Illinois road fund for transit projects. People in the Chicagoland area will pay higher sales tax and tolls as well.
"From the far northern reaches of our state to east and west Central Illinois to Southern Illinois, we are bolstering operations and upgrading trains, tracks and buses," Pritzker said. "We're doing it in the most responsible way with no new statewide taxes."
However, many Central and Southern Illinois lawmakers are upset that downstate transit companies will only receive $129 million to improve operations and $20 million to expand services. Downstate advocates had requested $220 million of the massive spending plan.
Republicans are also furious that a massive chunk of funds dedicated to 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).
Sponsors believe this was the best time to create long-term solutions for Northern Illinois transit and provide a world-class system for riders. Rep. Eva Dina Delgado (D-Chicago) said the law ensures buses and trains are safe, frequent and dependable.
"Without action, families across Chicagoland and across our state were at risk of being cut off from opportunity," Delgado said.
Although local leaders said Illinois will lose even more population as residents are "taxed out of control."
"It's one thing to pay taxes," said Sen. Steve McClure (R-Springfield). "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 and received a 36-21 vote in the Senate. The new law will take effect June 1.
"Everyone deserves to be able to get to where they need to go, when they need to, without worry," said Sen. Ram Villivalam (D-Chicago). "Senate Bill 2111 puts all of our residents on the path to accomplishing just that."
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