Crawford Backs Measure Fully Funding and Reforming Public Transit

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Mike Crawford, D-Chicago, helped pass a transformative public transit plan that will improve the rider experience for millions across Chicagoland.

“Many in my community depend on reliable, safe and efficient public transit for their day-to-day activities,” Crawford said. “The future of our local transit was in jeopardy – at risk of insolvency and lost coverage – but, Springfield unified behind a plan that would not only protect the routes we have, but allow us to do even more for our communities in the future. These reforms – built on both expertise and community input – will create a more coordinated, unified and people-oriented transit system.”

During the COVID-19 pandemic, federal relief funds were authorized to supplement local transit operations; however, these funds are set to run out, creating a projected shortfall of $230 million for Chicagoland’s Regional Transit Authority (RTA) in 2026. If no action was taken, this shortfall was expected to grow to $834 million in 2027 and more in the following years.

The Crawford-backed Senate Bill 2111 creates the Northern Illinois Transit Authority Act to reform, fund and rescue regional public transit by:

-Creating better oversight: by installing independent and internal fiscal auditors to ensure funds are not mismanaged and to better coordinate development projects.
– Making fares and trip planning easier: by coordinating fares and scheduling across agencies.
– Supporting responsible development: by creating the Office of Transit-Oriented Development to promote housing, business and walkable development near transit stations.
– Keeping riders safe: by creating the Office of Transit Safety and Experience to coordinate with law enforcement and social services, deploy mental health ambassadors to address those experiencing a mental emergency and establish the Law Enforcement Task Force to create future recommendations for securing the system.

In addition to maintaining current train and bus lines, the measure outlines two new projects impacting areas within and adjacent to Crawford’s district: a new or renovated Green Line station in the Englewood neighborhood, and a new Central Station to be located at the median of I-290 in-between existing Austin and Cicero stations.

“Transit is more than just train lines, switches and schedules; it’s about enabling people to build a future for themselves and their communities,” Crawford said. “Prior to NITA, we were facing a fiscal cliff that would have disastrous effects on small businesses, local economies and the thousands of families who depend on their local bus or train route. Under NITA, we have the chance to create something better and lasting.”