Grasse Backs Legislation to Lower Costs, Improve Transit Efficiency, Implement Immigration Raid Protections

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Focused on addressing issues facing families, state Rep. Nicolle Grasse, D-Arlington Heights, supported a veto session agenda this week that will lower energy costs, reform public transportation and implement safeguards related to immigration raids.

“People deserve to feel safe in their communities,” Grasse said. “They shouldn’t be afraid of being detained by masked agents while going to see the doctor or be unsure if they’re going to be able to afford their utility bills this month.”

Grasse helped pass the Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act, which seeks to quell rising home utility bills with significant investments into clean energy. The measure is set to create thousands of jobs to build out the state's power grid with the intention to create long-term financial relief for residents.

After years of inefficiency at local transit agencies, Grasse backed a transformative public transportation reform plan that will create a new overarching Northern Illinois Transit Agency (NITA) tasked with improving the rider experience. As PACE is headquartered in her district, it was important to Grasse that any reforms or revenue streams benefited those outside of Chicago proper.

Improvements in the legislation include:

• $1.5 billion in operating funding annually, preventing service cuts across the system, including paratransit services.
• A unified fare system across Metra, PACE and CTA services.
• An increased focus on rider safety, including a new office of safety.
• New financial requirements, including independent auditors and reserve fund requirements.

Grasse also supported a measure that will allow more seniors to remain eligible for the existing property tax assessment senior freeze program by raising income eligibility cutoffs to better account for inflation, allowing more seniors to stay in their homes.

With federal officials continuing to stoke unnecessary fear in communities with violent raids, Grasse backed a commonsense, human-centered proposal implementing safeguards at hospitals, daycares, courthouses and higher education locations.

“Our community deserves real safety, the kind that comes from justice, not intimidation. I stand with every family living in fear,” Grasse said. “I will keep fighting with you for what’s right, humane and equitable.”