Key Takeaways
- The Northern Illinois Transit Authority Act (SB 2111) establishes the Northern Illinois Transit Authority (NITA) to oversee CTA, Metra, and Pace, with expanded authority over service planning, capital projects, fare collection, and funding allocation.
- The bill provides $1.5 billion in annual funding to stabilize transit systems across Illinois, including downstate operations, without creating new state taxes or increasing statewide taxes.
- NITA will introduce a unified fare system, service and performance standards, and accountability measures, including independent performance audits and a Chief Internal Auditor.
- The bill also bolsters the Illinois Tollway capital program, providing an improved road network across Northern Illinois, and includes funding for statewide transit safety measures, such as a Law Enforcement Task Force and a Transit Ambassador Program.
Introduction to the Northern Illinois Transit Authority Act
The Northern Illinois Transit Authority Act (SB 2111) is a comprehensive plan that aims to stabilize and improve transit systems across Illinois. The bill establishes the Northern Illinois Transit Authority (NITA) to replace the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) and oversee CTA, Metra, and Pace. NITA will have expanded authority over service planning, capital projects, fare collection, and funding allocation, allowing operating divisions to focus on day-to-day operations. The bill provides $1.5 billion in annual funding to stabilize transit systems across Illinois, including downstate operations, without creating new state taxes or increasing statewide taxes.
Funding and Investments
The bill directs existing revenue streams to ensure stable operations and invest in capital improvements. Key sources and allocations include a gas sales tax diversion, which generates approximately $860 million annually for operations, and a regional sales tax increase, which generates approximately $478 million annually for NITA operations. The bill also allocates interest from the Road Fund and State Construction Account Fund (SCAF) to provide roughly $200 million annually in the first year, declining as balances are spent down. These funding sources will support the stabilization of transit systems across Illinois, including downstate operations, and will also be used to invest in capital improvements.
Governance, Operations, and Accountability
The bill introduces meaningful reforms to improve regional governance, operations, and accountability across NITA, CTA, Metra, and Pace. The new structure allows operating divisions to focus on service delivery, while NITA oversees broader planning, funding, and performance standards. Key elements include a unified fare system, service and performance standards, and accountability measures, such as independent performance audits and a Chief Internal Auditor. The bill also establishes a board structure with cross-membership, dual chairs, and minimum experience requirements to ensure expertise and regional accountability.
Safety Initiatives
The bill provides funding to implement statewide transit safety measures, ensuring riders can travel confidently across Illinois. Key initiatives include a Law Enforcement Task Force, a Transit Ambassador Program, and a Coordinated Response Safety Council. The bill also allocates funding for safety technology, such as a mobile application that allows riders to report safety issues in real-time. These safety initiatives will help to improve the overall safety and security of transit systems across Illinois.
Tollway Funding and Updates
The bill also bolsters the Illinois Tollway capital program, providing an improved road network across Northern Illinois. The Illinois Tollway has not raised rates for over a decade, and any adjustments made by the Illinois Tollway Board are intended to keep pace with rising costs, as well as fund system upgrades and maintenance. The bill ensures that 100% of toll revenue will continue to be dedicated to Tollway maintenance, operations, and capital improvements, supporting a safer and more reliable road network across Northern Illinois.
Downstate and Suburban Impacts
The bill provides targeted support for communities outside Chicago and the suburbs, ensuring that transit systems across the state are stabilized and improved. Key highlights for downstate and suburban transit include $150 million in funding to stabilize operations and support capital needs, a reduced local cost-share from 35% to 20%, and improved Metra and Pace coordination and service frequency. The bill also establishes a regional Dial-a-Ride program for on-demand transit and a Metra regional rail model providing more frequent suburb-to-suburb service.
Structural Improvements
The bill includes targeted structural reforms to modernize how transit-related projects are planned, built, and supported across Illinois. Key reforms include a Capital Fast Track Program, which creates a streamlined process to accelerate the planning and delivery of major transit capital projects, and Transit-Oriented Development, which removes mandatory parking minimums within a half-mile of major transit hubs, lowering construction costs and making it easier to build housing and commercial development near trains and buses. The bill also strengthens the state’s commitment to intercity rail by allowing downstate capital funds to be used for intercity rail capital projects connecting downstate communities with each other and with Chicago.
