Morris Backs Transit Package to Make Transportation More Reliable and Accessible

CHICAGO – State Rep. Yolonda Morris, D-Chicago, supported legislation to make transportation systems across Illinois more accessible and coordinated, a move that will assist riders, improve infrastructure for the community and boost the economy.

“What we’ve done is so important because millions of people rely on public transportation to go to work, run errands and travel to places in general,” said Morris. “A stable, reliable and well run transportation system is the backbone of a community like this one in Chicago, where people use public transportation for so much of their travel.”

Senate Bill 2111 is an overhaul of the existing laws and structuring of Illinois’ public transit. This legislation creates the Northern Illinois Transit Authority (NITA), which will replace the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) and put the Chicago Transit Authority, Metra and Pace all under one system and set fares to be determined regionally. NITA will also coordinate transfer policies for travelers moving from one line to the next, and implement an app that can be shared across systems.

The funding of the transit system’s overhaul comes with no additional taxes on the public services that Illinoisans use everyday.

Morris also supports efforts to make public transit safer. The transit package includes the Transit Ambassadors program, made to aid passengers who may need assistance while traveling. The bill also created the Office of Travel and Safety Experience, which will work to ensure travelers and transit stations remain safe.

The emphasis on safety comes in response to recent tragic incidents, such as the attack on a passenger aboard a Chicago L train, underscoring the urgent need for enhanced protective measures.

“We cannot tolerate violence on our public transit,” Morris said. “This package not only makes traveling easier and more convenient, it also ensures the safety of everyone who relies on these systems. These reforms reflect our commitment to protecting communities while modernizing transportation for generations to come.”