The Regional Transportation Authority’s board of directors expressed feelings ranging from frustration to hopelessness during a board meeting Thursday, as time winds down in Springfield for lawmakers to pass a funding bill that saves the CTA, Metra and Pace from drastic service cuts beginning in the last half of 2026.
Springfield’s fall veto session ends next Thursday, and lawmakers have yet to call a bill that’s expected to reform Chicago-area transit agencies and fill budget holes as federal COVID-19 pandemic funds run dry next year.
The RTA, which oversees the other three transit agencies, says train and bus service could be cut up to 40% if the state doesn’t provide more money to cover rising costs and diminished ridership that hasn’t recovered since the pandemic.
RTA board member Nora Cay Ryan asked if they are doing enough to “sound the alarm” in Springfield.
“We are on the verge of collapse,” said Ryan, who represents Chicago. “What do we need to be doing right now? Because this is a … six-alarm fire and everybody needs to get involved.”
Last May, lawmakers in the state Senate passed a bill that would raise $1.5 billion yearly for transit through an online sales delivery tax. But the bill was never called in the House. Some lawmakers said they have worked through the summer to amend the bill.
Meanwhile, tensions have risen among RTA leaders, whose board may be dissolved under that previous legislation and replaced by a more powerful Northern Illinois Transit Authority, or NITA.
Board member Brian Sager, of McHenry County, said the situation is “a little bit bleak” for his region, since the last accepted reform package is stacked against suburban voices. Suburban legislators have complained that the proposed legislation’s simple majority vote would give too much power to those representing the city of Chicago.
Board member Pat Carey, who represents Lake County, said, “The frustration is tremendous.”
Board member Dennis Mondero, who represents Chicago, asked the board to take a train to Springfield next week to ramp up the pressure on lawmakers. The CTA has warned that no new state funding could result in 1,800 employee layoffs next summer, and the elimination of up to 39 bus routes and one entire L line.
“This is a life-and-death situation for thousands of families,” Mondero said.
What’s particularly frustrating is that the RTA has no idea what bill may be called next week in Springfield, according to Rob Nash, RTA’s director of government affairs. The RTA has been left out of closed-door discussions among lawmakers, he said, though the agency has been helping legislators by providing as much information as possible.
Asked for a frank appraisal of legislators’ attitude about passing a bill, Nash said, “We remain optimistic that we’ll see something next week.”
The RTA had hoped Springfield would pass a funding bill last May. But after lawmakers failed to pass a bill then, the October veto session was pitched as the last possible moment for new funding.
New state money from an online sales tax went into effect Jan. 1, and a 10% fare increase expected next February has pushed back the “transit cliff” to mid-2026 for the CTA. A transit funding hole of $202 million in 2026 rises dramatically to $789 million in 2027, and $888 million in 2028. Metra and Pace say they face potential cuts in early 2027.
RTA Board Chairman Kirk Dillard said he hopes that whatever legislation is passed strengthens the board overseeing the CTA, Metra and Pace — even if it means eliminating the RTA and replacing it with another agency. Advocates have complained the RTA lacks certain powers that could help the agencies coordinate and plan effectively.
“If [the RTA] transfers over to NITA … or whatever they want to call this new board, so be it,” Dillard said. “I’m a realist. And if it’s going to be a new board, I just want to make sure that they pick up the kinds of reforms we had” recommended.