Illinois lawmakers are scrambling to agree on a $1.5 billion funding package for public transit ahead of the fall veto session's deadline, with major cuts to bus and rail services in Chicago looming if no deal is reached.
A proposed tax package by House Democrats includes redirecting the state's sales tax on motor fuel to transit operations, collecting nearly $860 million annually, as well as increasing tolls by 45 cents for passenger cars. However, some downstate representatives are unhappy with the plan, saying it doesn't allocate enough money outside of the Chicago area.
Governor JB Pritzker had earlier expressed opposition to any proposal that included broad-based income or sales taxes that would affect residents statewide, but he is open to a regional sales tax hike in Cook County and collar counties. Meanwhile, House Democrats are pushing for no fare increases on public transit for the first year after the bill's passage.
Transit agencies say they face a budget deficit of nearly $800 million in 2027 without further state funding, which has been a pressing issue since COVID-19 pandemic-related federal grants expired. Lawmakers have been trying to sort out transit funding for over three years, with major service cuts to bus and rail services on the horizon if no deal is reached.
In related news, lawmakers are also pushing legislation to curb federal immigration authorities from carrying out deportations in or near hospitals, public universities, daycares, or courthouses. A bill sponsored by state Senate President Don Harmon would allow residents to sue federal immigration officials who violate their constitutional rights.
As the fall veto session comes to a close, lawmakers are racing against time to find a solution that addresses the looming transit funding crisis and protects the rights of Illinoisans.
A proposed tax package by House Democrats includes redirecting the state's sales tax on motor fuel to transit operations, collecting nearly $860 million annually, as well as increasing tolls by 45 cents for passenger cars. However, some downstate representatives are unhappy with the plan, saying it doesn't allocate enough money outside of the Chicago area.
Governor JB Pritzker had earlier expressed opposition to any proposal that included broad-based income or sales taxes that would affect residents statewide, but he is open to a regional sales tax hike in Cook County and collar counties. Meanwhile, House Democrats are pushing for no fare increases on public transit for the first year after the bill's passage.
Transit agencies say they face a budget deficit of nearly $800 million in 2027 without further state funding, which has been a pressing issue since COVID-19 pandemic-related federal grants expired. Lawmakers have been trying to sort out transit funding for over three years, with major service cuts to bus and rail services on the horizon if no deal is reached.
In related news, lawmakers are also pushing legislation to curb federal immigration authorities from carrying out deportations in or near hospitals, public universities, daycares, or courthouses. A bill sponsored by state Senate President Don Harmon would allow residents to sue federal immigration officials who violate their constitutional rights.
As the fall veto session comes to a close, lawmakers are racing against time to find a solution that addresses the looming transit funding crisis and protects the rights of Illinoisans.
I mean, I'm sure all those Chicago commuters would love to have their buses and trains running on time, but what about everyone else out here in the sticks? 
And don't even get me started on the tolls... 45 cents is just not fair for people who actually live in the area. 
Anyway, I hope they can figure it out before the deadline or else we're all going to be stuck with some major service cuts and I'm already dreading my morning commute... 
. I'm all for finding ways to allocate more funds but how much is fair? Illinois has some of the highest housing costs in the country & ppl are still struggling to afford basic necessities 
. Anyways, i hope lawmakers can come together and find a solution that benefits everyone not just Chicago. Can't believe we're even having this convo tho, shouldn't they've figured it out by now? 
, like last year in japan i had this amazing ramen bowl that literally made my taste buds do a happy dance 
and now i'm craving it again lol. anyway back to illinois transit stuff... can't they all just agree on something? it's like, how hard is it to raise some taxes or something 
and those transit agencies need that funding ASAP 
. what do you guys think should happen with this bill?
$1.5 billion sounds like peanuts when u consider how much $$$ ppl in chicago are makin' 
like, what's the plan here? 
and btw, have u seen those charts on federal immigration authorities carrying out deportations in sensitive areas? 
it's like, hello! we gotta protect ppl's rights too 
let's hope lawmakers come together and sort this out ASAP! 
They're gonna tax me on my avocado toast? 
Lawmakers need to step up their game and find a real solution that doesn't just mess with everyone else's money 
... my kid's school bus has already been cut back like 3 times this year 
and now they're talking about major cuts? That's just awful 
. Can't we find a way to balance the budget without hurting innocent families? 
- all these politicians trying to get their act together for the fall veto session deadline, but it's like they're stuck in neutral 
. I feel bad for Chicagoans who could see major cuts to bus and rail services - that would be a real "Taxi Driver"-style nightmare 
. I hope they can get it together soon before it's too late - that would be a total "Twilight Zone"-style plot twist 
.
. Anyway, back to the transit funding thing... 45 cents more on tolls? That's not gonna cut it for me 
By the way, have you tried that new vegan restaurant downtown? Their vegan cheese platter is on point 
"Time waits for no man." We're running out of time in Illinois to fix this public transit mess! 
& dont even get me started on the toll hikes 
that's a lil silver lining, rn
. But no fare increases on public transit? 
Come on, House Democrats! How are we supposed to get around without our trusty CTA trains?