New bill possibly to replace RTA

[MetroShadow]

[Allegedly] We're getting closer to a bill, per Streetsblog.

[Busjack]

48 minutes ago, MetroShadow said:

[Allegedly] We're getting closer to a bill, per Streetsblog.

That's an excellent, comprehensive article, and I hope Sen. Villivalam sticks to his guns. That wouldn't be the "union bill," for which Pace's Kwasneski voiced some support at the last meeting, and better foreclose the complete farce Johnson tried to pull off at the CTA (according to a linked story on Streetsblog, and a story I saw in the Sun-Times) to sneak in a lackey as CTA President before action on the MMA, like he thinks he is Rahm.

[MetroShadow]

https://news.wttw.com/2025/05/28/lawmakers-unveil-plan-overhaul-chicago-area-transit-new-oversight-agency-no-solution

After a week here, I'm flying back to the Bay, so I will look at the bill text once I get to it.

[artthouwill]

3 hours ago, MetroShadow said:

https://news.wttw.com/2025/05/28/lawmakers-unveil-plan-overhaul-chicago-area-transit-new-oversight-agency-no-solution

After a week here, I'm flying back to the Bay, so I will look at the bill text once I get to it.

Someone yell State Senator Don DeWitt that the CTA is the largest of the three agencies and serves Chicago

  Pace has 9 garages with 5 of them located in Cook County.   Metra has more stations in Cook County than the other counties.  It stands to reason that Chicago and Cook County would have a bigger say in the area's transit.  West Dundee doesn't have a lot of transit use and the city and county shouldn't be held hostage at his whim.  

[Busjack]

4 hours ago, MetroShadow said:

https://news.wttw.com/2025/05/28/lawmakers-unveil-plan-overhaul-chicago-area-transit-new-oversight-agency-no-solution

After a week here, I'm flying back to the Bay, so I will look at the bill text once I get to it.

I tried to find the actual bill, but was unable to do so. I found House Amendment 001 to SB2111, which has references to the :"Northern Illinois Transit Authority Act," but doesn't contain that Act itself. Probably not officially posted yet.

1 hour ago, artthouwill said:

Someone yell State Senator Don DeWitt that the CTA is the largest of the three agencies and serves Chicago

  Pace has 9 garages with 5 of them located in Cook County.   Metra has more stations in Cook County than the other counties.  It stands to reason that Chicago and Cook County would have a bigger say in the area's transit.  West Dundee doesn't have a lot of transit use and the city and county shouldn't be held hostage at his whim.  

You and the press have been suckered again. This part is about as credible as a report that in the waning days of the Spring session, some legislator from Barrington wants the state to erect a statue of Pope Leo, and, for that matter, not in Dolton.

What's significant to me on the media front, is while RTA, CTA, Metra, and Pace spent maybe 16 months lobbying to save their jobs, none of them had any comment other than they want money. As I pointed out for about 17 years, the CTA grievance that it provides 80% of the rides is malarkey.

I'll be waiting for the text of the bill. but, if anything, the Cook County suburbs may be screwed. I don't think anyone in the suburbs wants Brandon Johnson and Toni Preckwinkle running the transit system.

[Busjack]

19 hours ago, MetroShadow said:

https://news.wttw.com/2025/05/28/lawmakers-unveil-plan-overhaul-chicago-area-transit-new-oversight-agency-no-solution

After a week here, I'm flying back to the Bay, so I will look at the bill text once I get to it.

 

14 hours ago, Busjack said:

I tried to find the actual bill, but was unable to do so. I found House Amendment 001 to SB2111, which has references to the :"Northern Illinois Transit Authority Act," but doesn't contain that Act itself. Probably not officially posted yet.

I had better luck this mornoning. It is SB2111 House Amendment 0001. One has to get pst the "People over Parking Act," and figure out the strike throughs and underscores to figure out what is happening: For details, see next post.

[Busjack]

• The Metropolitan Transit Authority Act is renamed the Chicago Transit Authority Act, and the Regional Transportation Authority Act is renamed the Northern Illinois Transit Authority Act. Most of those Acts are substantially rewritten. 
• The powers of the CTA are subject to the authority of the NITA.

• NITA has primary responsibility for setting fares, service standards, schedules, and coordinated fare collection so that the public  transportation system in the metropolitan region operates on a one-network, one-timetable, one-ticket model.

• Effective Feb. 1, 2026, the CT Board will consist of one member appointed by the Governor. 3 by yje mayor, and 2 by the Cook County President, and all 6 are members of the NITA Board.

• The Cook County Sheriff to lead a NITA Law enforcement Task Force, to plan a transition to a NITA law enforcement department

• Similar to the case of the CT Board directors. the NITA directors also serve on the Pace or Metra board, and those from suburban Cook County must reside in specified districts outside of Chicago (someone listened!!).