Slaughter-Backed Legislation Lowers Health Care Trust Fund Contributions for Chicago Transit Authority Employees

CHICAGO – To provide relief for Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) employees during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, state Rep. Justin Slaughter, D-Chicago, recently supported legislation that will lower CTA employees’contributions to their Retiree Health Care Trust fund from 3% to 1%.

“Our hardworking transit workers have been instrumental in ensuring that our economy did not stop during the pandemic as they made sure people could make it to their jobs, schools and homes,” said Slaughter. “After working through the pandemic without hazard pay, it is critical that we do all we can to support and uplift these workers during these difficult times.”

House Bill 1428 was recently signed into law by Gov. J.B. Pritzker after passing through the General Assembly with bipartisan support. This legislation aims to provide relief to CTA workers by allowing them to take home more of their paycheck by reducing employee contributions to the trust from 3% to 1%. As noted by the American Transit Union Local 308, which represents the employees of CTA, the health care trust fund is currently fully funded.  

“To our hardworking bus operators, mechanics, dispatch and other CTA employees, we say thank you,” said Slaughter. “Without you and your efforts, we would not be able to make sure that Illinois keeps moving forward together.”