Illinois House passes public transit funding bill to address RTA budget gap – ABC7 Chicago

Legislative Action to Secure Sustainable Public Transportation in Illinois

Introduction: Addressing a Critical Infrastructure Deficit

The Illinois General Assembly has passed Senate Bill 2111, the Northern Illinois Transit Authority (NITA) Act, to address a projected fiscal shortfall exceeding $200 million for the region’s public transportation system. This legislative action is a critical step towards ensuring the long-term viability of public transit, preventing service cuts of up to 40%, and aligning the state’s infrastructure with key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Aligning with SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

The core objective of the bill is to fortify the public transit network, which is fundamental to achieving SDG 11. By averting a fiscal crisis, the legislation directly supports Target 11.2, which aims to provide universal access to safe, affordable, accessible, and sustainable transport systems. The impending funding deficit, projected to reach $937 million by 2028, threatened to cripple a system essential for regional mobility, economic activity, and environmental sustainability. The approved funding ensures that the Chicago Transit Agency (CTA), Metra, and Pace Suburban Bus can maintain and improve services, thereby reducing reliance on private vehicles and contributing to more sustainable urban development.

Financial Framework for Sustainable Transit

A multi-faceted funding model has been established to provide over $1 billion in new operating revenue without imposing large statewide tax increases. This financial strategy is crucial for building resilient infrastructure as outlined in SDG 9. The primary funding sources include:

• $860 million from redirected sales tax revenue on motor fuel purchases.
• $478 million generated by a 0.25 percentage point increase in the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) sales tax for counties in the Chicago metropolitan area.
• $200 million from interest accrued in the state’s Road Fund.
• Up to $1 billion annually from a 45-cent increase on tolls for passenger vehicles in northern Illinois, intended for a new capital program.

Governance and Operational Reforms for Enhanced Sustainability

Beyond financial stabilization, the bill introduces significant reforms aimed at creating a more integrated and efficient transit system, a key component of sustainable infrastructure (SDG 9) and effective institutions (SDG 16). Key reforms include:

1. Creation of the Northern Illinois Transit Authority (NITA): NITA will replace the RTA, establishing a stronger governance body with the authority to coordinate scheduling and implement a universal fare system across the CTA, Metra, and Pace.
2. Enhanced Public Safety Measures: A new law enforcement task force will be created to address public safety issues, contributing to the goal of safe and accessible transit for all (SDG 11).
3. Revised Farebox Recovery Ratio: The bill adjusts the required revenue from fares to 25%, down from a pre-pandemic requirement of 50%, acknowledging new ridership patterns and ensuring affordability.

Socio-Economic Impacts and Contributions to SDGs 8 and 10

The legislation provides significant socio-economic benefits that align with SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities). By securing the transit system’s future, the bill protects the employment of approximately 15,000 transit workers. Furthermore, a reliable and accessible public transportation network is a catalyst for economic growth, connecting people to jobs, education, and essential services. This enhances social equity by providing critical mobility for low-income communities and individuals without access to private vehicles, directly addressing the goal of reducing inequality.

Regional Disparities and Political Considerations

The passage of the bill highlighted regional political divisions. The legislation passed with support exclusively from Democratic lawmakers. Representatives from outside the Chicago area expressed frustration, citing two primary concerns:

• The diversion of revenue from the state’s Road Fund, which they argued could negatively impact infrastructure projects in other parts of Illinois.
• The perception that the funding disproportionately benefits the Chicago metropolitan area while providing less than requested for downstate public transit agencies.

Conclusion: A Commitment to a Sustainable and Equitable Transit Future

The passage of SB 2111 represents a landmark investment in the future of public transportation in Northern Illinois. Stakeholders, including the RTA, Pace, and labor unions, have lauded the bill as a transformational commitment to creating a safer, more reliable, and seamless transit system. By providing stable funding and enacting governance reforms, the legislation lays the groundwork for a system that not only avoids a fiscal cliff but is also positioned to advance regional progress on multiple Sustainable Development Goals, fostering a more sustainable, equitable, and economically vibrant future.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article on the Illinois public transit funding bill addresses and connects to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The primary goals identified are:

• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: The core of the article is about ensuring the viability of public transportation in the Chicago metropolitan area. Public transit is a fundamental component of sustainable urban development, aiming to provide equitable access, reduce congestion, and improve air quality. The article’s focus on making the system “safe, reliable, accessible, to be integrated” directly supports the objectives of this goal.
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure: Public transportation systems are a critical form of infrastructure. The article discusses the “looming fiscal cliff” threatening this infrastructure and the legislative action taken to provide “stable funding” for its operation and improvement. This aligns with SDG 9’s aim to build resilient infrastructure, promote sustainable industrialization, and foster innovation.
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth: The article explicitly connects the transit funding to employment. The Illinois AFL-CIO President is quoted highlighting the vital importance of the bill to “keep 15,000 people in transit working.” This directly links the sustainability of the transit system to the preservation of jobs and, by extension, the economic stability of the region.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the article’s content, the following specific SDG targets can be identified:

1. Target 11.2: Provide access to safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport systems for all.
   • The article details a plan to avert a potential 40% service cut, which would have severely limited access to public transport. The new funding and governance reforms aim to create a system that is “safe, reliable, and frequent,” as stated by the RTA. The creation of a law enforcement task force to target safety issues and the plan for a “universal fare system” directly address the safety and accessibility aspects of this target.
2. Target 9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure… to support economic development and human well-being.
   • The article describes the transit system as “running on borrowed time” due to “uneven investment and post-COVID ridership losses.” The passage of the bill, which secures over $1 billion in new operating funding, is a direct measure to ensure the financial sustainability and resilience of this critical infrastructure. The goal is to prevent “unreliable service, delayed trains, canceled routs” and build a “stronger, more seamless transit system.”
3. Target 8.5: By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men…
   • The article directly supports this target through its emphasis on job preservation. The statement from the Labor Alliance for Public Transportation and the quote from the Illinois AFL-CIO President underscore that a primary victory of the bill is averting a fiscal cliff that would have threatened the jobs of 15,000 transit workers. Securing funding for the transit agencies ensures continued employment for this workforce.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, the article mentions and implies several quantitative and qualitative indicators that can be used to measure progress:

• Financial Investment in Sustainable Infrastructure (Target 9.1): The article provides specific financial figures that serve as direct indicators of investment.
  • Total new operating funding: “more than $1 billion.”
  • Redirected sales tax revenue on motor fuel: “$860 million.”
  • Revenue from Road Fund interest: “$200 million.”
  • Revenue from increased RTA sales tax: “$478 million.”
• Operational Sustainability and Accessibility (Target 11.2): Several metrics point to the system’s operational health and accessibility.
  • Prevention of service cuts: The bill averts a potential “40% cut” in services, which can be measured by tracking maintained or increased service levels (e.g., route frequency, operating hours).
  • Farebox recovery ratio: The bill changes the requirement for revenue from fares from 50% to 25%, indicating a shift in the financial model to ensure affordability and sustainability post-pandemic.
  • System integration: The creation of the Northern Illinois Transit Authority (NITA) with the power to “establish a universal fare system and coordinate scheduling” is a governance indicator for progress toward a more integrated and accessible system.
• Employment in the Transit Sector (Target 8.5): The article provides a clear indicator for measuring progress on decent work.
  • Number of jobs secured: The statement that the bill is “vitally important that we keep 15,000 people in transit working” provides a baseline number of jobs maintained due to the funding.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: abc7chicago.com