Mah Measure Cutting Workers’ Transit Costs Advances Out of Legislature

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Theresa Mah, D-Chicago, recently passed a measure to cut costs for workers purchasing transit passes by requiring certain large employers in the Chicago area to offer the option of paying for those passes with pre-tax wages.

“Commuting is an essential aspect of employment, and exacting a substantial financial toll on working people because they have to commute is an unfair burden,” Mah said. “This bill will empower workers to exercise their rights which will get us more transit riders, cleaner air and higher take-home pay for working people.”

House Bill 2068 would mandate businesses with more than 50 workers offer the transit benefit through their payroll system if they are located within a mile of regular transit service in the Chicago area.

It passed the House and Senate with strong bipartisan support.

“Especially for people who are paid entry-level wages, using pre-tax wages to purchase monthly transit passes can make a substantial difference in take-home pay,” Mah said. “I hope employers of all kinds start early and offer this benefit to their workers before the effective date of January, 1 of next year.”