Vella Backed Legislation to Invest in Safer, More Reliable Transit

ROCKFORD, Ill. – State Rep. Dave Vella, D-Rockford, passed new legislation that will deliver over $1.5 million in annual funding to strengthen Northern Illinois transit systems and protect essential services for riders across the region.

“This bill will make our transit system safer and more efficient for the families who rely on it every day,” Vella said. “People deserve transportation that gets them where they’re going quickly without added stress and improving safety standards and strengthening service. We're creating a system that works better for everyone in the north.”

This bill aims to improve transit for riders across the region and prevent service cuts by providing over $1.5 million in annual public transit funding. Key features include:

• Protects Local Service: Ensures Northern Illinois communities, including Rockford and
  surrounding areas receive over $1.5 million each year to prevent route cuts and keep
  essential buses running for workers, students, and seniors.
• Strengthens Neighborhood Safety: Establishes new safety measures like the NITA Law
  Enforcement Task Force and the Office of Transit Safety to provide safer bus stops,
  safer rides, and faster response to safety issues that directly affect local families.
• Improves Daily Commutes: Improves reliability by supporting more frequent buses and
  better on-time performance so residents can get to work, school, medical appointments,
  and childcare without long wait times or unpredictable delays.

“This investment isn’t just about transit–it’s about stability for working families,” Vella said. “Reliable transportation keeps people employed, keeps kids in school, and keeps our community moving forward and we make it easier for residents to get where they need to go, we strengthen our entire region”