Warning from Transit Leaders: Job and Service Cuts Loom as Illinois Budget Fails to Fill RTA Funding Gap

CHICAGO (WLS) — Transit leaders and unions are sounding the alarm about potential job and service reductions in light of Illinois legislators passing a budget that fails to address a $770 million budget gap for the RTA.

The RTA, which oversees Metra, CTA, and Pace, is now grappling with an almost billion-dollar deficit after COVID-19 relief funding has been depleted due to legislators’ inability to pass a transit reform bill.

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While Governor JB Pritzker emphasized the importance of reform benefiting commuters statewide, not just in the Chicagoland area, Dr. P.S. Sriraj, the director of UIC’s Urban Transportation Center, forewarns that commuters should brace for direct consequences.

“It’s something that is going to affect whether you use public transportation or not,” Dr. Sriraj said. “If they are leaning on public transportation now, they are going to be on the roads, which is going to increase travel times, increase mental anguish, more other road rage issues. There’s going to be a whole slew [of impacts], including accidents.”

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The RTA released a statement shortly after the budget was passed applauding the General Assembly’s efforts while underscoring the need to find funding as its agencies prepare budgets for the upcoming fiscal year.

Over the weekend, Governor JB Pritzker said lawmakers have more work to do to get everyone on board for a transit funding fix and explained they need to do it as fast as possible.