Vella-Backed Law Delivers Major Investment in Affordable Transit for Northwest Illinois Communities

ROCKFORD, Ill. – Nearly $150 million in new funding for downstate communities will expand access to affordable, reliable public transit options in the Rockford area under a major transportation reform law passed by state Rep. Dave Vella, D-Rockford.

“Transit is not just a convenience, it’s a lifeline for workers, families, and local economies. This reform brings accountability, stability, and coordination to a system that riders rely on every day, while making sure taxpayer dollars are protected.” said Vella “This is about restoring trust in public transit. By prioritizing safety and modernizing service, we’re building a system where riders feel secure, workers feel supported, and communities stay connected.”

The 54 transit agencies serving communities outside of the Chicago area offer an affordable way for people to get to work, get home, and go to the store—and people in downstate communities rely on these options more than 30 million times every year. While many have focused on the challenges facing Chicago transit, Vella worked to call attention to the state’s chronic underfunding of public transportation systems, including Rockford Mass Transit District (RMTD).  

Vella passed Senate Bill 2111, which provides a historic level of new investment in transit systems across the state, delivering $129 million to improve operations and an additional $20 million to expand service and improve infrastructure—without new taxes or fees. Vella’s law achieves this record funding using existing state funds and interest generated from the state’s Transportation Fund—not on higher fares or taxes on delivery services, event tickets, or rideshares.  

The new law also prioritizes efficiency, by creating an Interagency Coordinating Committee on Transit Innovation, Integration, and Reform within the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) to better integrate various transit systems.

Senate Bill 2111 was signed into law Tuesday. 

For more information, please contact RepDaveVella@gmail.com.