Illinois Approves New Regional Transit Authority Overhaul

Illinois lawmakers have approved a major overhaul of public transportation governance in the Chicago region, creating a new regional oversight body supported by roughly $1.5 billion in annual funding.

The legislation establishes the Northern Illinois Transit Authority, which will assume expanded authority over planning, funding, and accountability for the region’s major transit systems, including the Chicago Transit Authority, Metra, and Pace. The new structure is designed to replace the existing Regional Transportation Authority, which critics argued lacked sufficient power to enforce coordination and financial discipline.

State officials said the changes are aimed at averting a looming financial crisis as federal pandemic-era transit aid expires. Without new funding, agencies warned that major service reductions and layoffs could begin as early as 2026. The approved funding package is intended to provide a stable revenue stream to maintain service while broader reforms are implemented.

Under the new framework, the authority will play a stronger role in coordinating service, setting investment priorities, and shaping fare policy. Supporters say the changes could lead to more reliable service and better coordination across bus, rail, and commuter systems in northeastern Illinois.

The funding plan relies on adjustments to existing revenue sources rather than a single new tax, including changes to regional sales tax distributions and the redirection of portions of state fuel-related revenues. Labor unions and transit advocates supported the bill, saying stable funding is necessary to safeguard jobs and stem further ridership losses.

Some critics cautioned that governance changes alone may not immediately resolve issues such as safety, cleanliness, or rider confidence, and warned that the transition could be complex. State officials acknowledged that implementation will take place in phases and emphasized that improvements will be gradual rather than immediate.

The measure represents one of the most significant changes to Chicago-area transit policy in decades, reshaping how the region plans, funds, and manages transportation used by millions of riders each year.