Transit Future

Another Successful Transit Lobby Day

This past Wednesday, thirty transit advocates from Northeastern Illinois traveled to Springfield in support of SB 572. Representatives from CNT, Illinois PIRG, Metro Seniors in Action, the Transit Riders Alliance, the Amalgamated Transit Union, Little Village Environmental Justice Organization and other passionate transit supporters spent the day speaking with legislators about the importance of transit and the need for a solution to the transit crisis. Group members also had the opportunity to speak with the press about the crisis and the need to find a solution before session adjourns. You can read some of the coverage here.

Transit Crisis Update - You can help!

SB 572 is near completion and a hearing before the House Mass Transit Committee is expected early next week. However, as they approach the end of the current one month state budget, the possibility of reaching a deal and adjourning session increases. Now is the time to remind legislators that they must not adjourn this legislative session without addressing the transit crisis in Northeastern Illinois. Tell your legislators and the governor that they must not approve a new state budget until there is a solution to the problem.

To find your legislators, please refer to the “Take Action” section of the website.

In the Press

Today’s Chicago Tribune featured an editorial “A decent transit deal,” in support of SB572.

“There aren’t a lot of success stories coming out of Springfield this year, unless you think the longest overtime session in history is something to brag about. But lawmakers are close to an agreement on a long-term solution to the region’s mass transit mess. That would be something to celebrate.

“For once, they’re not talking about a stopgap funding fix to keep the trains and buses running for another year. The measure on the table would give transit officials the money and the mandate to solve their own problems, sparing lawmakers, transit agencies and commuters the annual fight over who is to blame for the perpetual crisis and who’s going to pay to fix it.”

You can read the full text of the article here

In this Update:
1. Next Transit Lobby Day – Wednesday July 25th – FREE BUS
2. In the Press
3. Pace Public Hearings

Next Transit Lobby Day – Wednesday July 25th – FREE BUS

Transit advocates are planning the second Transit Lobby Day in Springfield for July 25th. While we were successful in reaching out to many lawmakers during our last lobby day, there are still many legislators who need to hear about what is at stake for the region. And as the end of July approaches, it is a crucial time to remind the General Assembly and the Governor that the transit crisis must be resolved before session is adjourned.

For this lobby day we will have a free bus to take us to Springfield in the morning and return us that same evening. The bus will leave from downtown Chicago at 6:30 AM and return at 9 PM. Please plan on joining us for this very important day! If you are new to lobbying, we will provide tips on how to talk to legislators, materials to give them and the best places to find them.

For questions or to RSVP, please contact Emily Metz at emily@cnt.org or 773-269-4070.

In the Press

Friday July 6th the Chicago Tribune published an editorial “Failing Transit” by Jerry Roper, President/CEO of the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, stressing the economic importance of public transportation:

“Getting employees to and from work each day is paramount to the continued growth and success of Chicagoland business. Illinois’ perpetual lack of sufficient funding for public transit isn’t just frustrating commuters. It is putting businesses and ultimately Illinois’ economy at risk.

“To compete in today’s global economy, it is essential that Chicago is able to move people and goods effectively. Instead, however, Chicago, the transportation hub of the U.S. and contender for the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games, is being watched worldwide as our transportation infrastructure falls into disrepair.”

You can read the full text of the article here.

Monday July 9 the Chicago Sun Times published an editorial “Chicago can’t compete without good trains” by John Norquist, President of the Congress for the New Urbanism, which cites Chicago’s need for high-quality transit to be considered among the the major cities of the world:

“Quick. What do Tokyo, London, Paris, New York, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Dubai have in common?

“Yes, they are all world financial centers with which Chicago both cooperates and competes in today’s fast-paced global economy. And yes, several of them are Olympic cities, an elite group Chicago very much wants to join. But here’s another key similarity: They are all investing billions in fast and efficient transit service. And that is where they part company with Chicago.”

You can read the full text of the article here.

Pace Public Hearings

Pace is holding public hearings in July to receive input on their proposed service cuts and fare increases due to operating budget shortfalls. If you would like to attend, voice your support of Pace, and send a message to Springfield, details on each hearing are below.

Kane County - Thursday, July 19, 2007, 5 pm – 7 pm
Kane County Government Center Auditorium – Ground Floor
719 S. Batavia Avenue
Geneva, IL 60134

Lake County - Friday, July 20, 2007, 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Lake County Courthouse - 10th Floor Assembly Room
18 N. County Street
Waukegan, IL 60085

West Cook County - Monday, July 23, 2007, 6 pm – 8 pm
Forest Park Public Library
7555 W. Jackson Blvd.
Forest Park, IL 60130

City of Chicago - Monday, July 23, 2007, 6 pm – 8 pm
University of Illinois at Chicago - Student Center East, Room 302
750 S. Halsted Street
Chicago, IL 60607

Will County - Tuesday, July 24, 2007, 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm
Joliet Public Library - Main Building
150 N. Ottawa Street
Joliet, IL 60435

North Cook County - Tuesday, July 24, 2007, 5 pm – 7 pm
Pace Headquarters - Board Room
550 W. Algonquin Road
Arlington Heights, IL 60005

DuPage County - Thursday, July 26, 2007, 5 pm – 7 pm
Jack T. Knuepfer Administration Building - 1st Floor Auditorium
421 N. County Farm Rd.
Wheaton, IL 60187

McHenry County - Thursday, July 26, 2007, 5 pm – 7 pm
Crystal Lake Municipal Complex - Council Chambers
100 W. Municipal Complex
Crystal Lake, IL 60039

On Wednesday July 11, 2007 transit advocates from Northeastern Illinois including CNT, Illinois PIRG, Metro Seniors In Action, the Transit Riders Alliance and Progressive Public Affairs traveled to Springfield to lobby in support of SB572. Those in attendance spoke with 20 Senators and 25 Representatives, and while few are opposed to the bill, many were not aware of all of its components. Like everything else in Springfield, transit has taken a backseat to the budget and has not received the attention it is due.

Although the Governor has promised to veto any sales tax increase that has not deterred legislators from supporting the bill. They applaud the fact that it is a long-term regional solution to a regional problem, rather than another band-aid. Additional amendments are expected to include CTA pension and health care reform, RTA governance and a downstate transit component. Transit advocates from various groups will continue to travel to Springfield to raise awareness about SB572, stressing the urgency of addressing the transit crisis this session.

Stay tuned for information on the next lobby day!

In this Update:
1. Transit Crisis Continues Unresolved
2. Transit Lobby Day - July 11
3. In The Press
4. Pace Public Hearings

Transit Crisis Continues Unresolved

While the Governor and General Assembly have managed to pass a one month budget to avert a shut down of state government, the transit crisis continues without a solution. However, there have been two recent developments that indicate progress has been made towards reforming and funding a regional transit system this legislative session.

Last week, the CTA and its employees reached a five-year contract agreement that increases the contributions paid by both to healthcare and pension funds. In addition, the agreement involves issuing $1.5 billion in pension obligation bonds to soften the short term impact of a state law requiring that the CTA pension system be 90% funded by 2059. The agreement is contingent upon the CTA receiving additional operating funds for this fiscal year.

This past week also saw the introduction of a proposal on changes to both RTA and Metra governance. The changes to both boards involve increased representation by the collar counties and are the result of negotiations between lawmakers and the RTA. You can read the details of the proposed changes here.

Transit Lobby Day

Wednesday July 11th, join transit advocates from the entire region in urging the General Assembly to pass SB 572. If you have not yet been able to attend a lobby day, this is the best opportunity to let your legislators know face-to-face why transit is important to you.
If you would like to join us, we will be on the 301 Lincoln Service Amtrak train from Union Station departing at 7 AM and returning on the 304 Lincoln Service Amtrak leaving at 4:57 PM. We are also exploring the possibility of renting buses if we have enough people to fill them. Please let us know if you are able to attend and if you would be interesting in riding a bus by contacting Emily at emily@cnt.org or 773-269-4070.

In The Press

Monday July 2nd, the Chicago Tribune published an editorial “Inching Towards a Transit Deal” urging the Governor and General Assembly to address the transit crisis:

“One way to do so is to approve a plan sponsored by Rep. Julie Hamos (D-Evanston) to overhaul the Regional Transportation Authority, giving it a stronger hand in planning and oversight of the CTA, Metra and Pace. The same bill includes a plan to provide a long-term funding stream for mass transit. The need for more money was firmly established by an Illinois auditor general’s report in March, and the transit agencies are forecasting fare increases, service cuts and general rush-hour mayhem if the legislature doesn’t act. They are not blowing smoke.

Most lawmakers, though, have been snoring through this crisis because it feels like a rerun of the one before, and the one before that. If things play out as usual, they will spring to life at the last minute and approve another “one-time” bailout, ensuring another rerun.”

You can read the full text of the editorial here.

For more recent articles relating to transit in Northeastern Illinois, please visit “Transit in the News.”

Pace Public Hearings

Pace is holding public hearings in July to receive input on their proposed service cuts and fare increases due to operating budget shortfalls. If you would like to attend, voice your support of Pace, and send a message to Springfield, details on each hearing are below.

City of Chicago - Monday, July 16, 2007, 11 am – 1 pm
Northside College Preparatory High School
5501 N. Kedzie Avenue
Chicago, IL 60625

South Cook County - Tuesday, July 17, 2007, 6 pm – 8 pm
City of Blue Island East Annex
2434 Vermont Street
Blue Island, IL 60406

City of Chicago - Wednesday, July 18, 2007, 6 pm – 8 pm
Olive-Harvey College Cafeteria
10001 S. Woodlawn Avenue
Chicago, IL 60628

Kane County - Thursday, July 19, 2007, 5 pm – 7 pm
Kane County Government Center Auditorium – Ground Floor
719 S. Batavia Avenue
Geneva, IL 60134

Lake County - Friday, July 20, 2007, 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Lake County Courthouse - 10th Floor Assembly Room
18 N. County Street
Waukegan, IL 60085

West Cook County - Monday, July 23, 2007, 6 pm – 8 pm
Forest Park Public Library
7555 W. Jackson Blvd.
Forest Park, IL 60130

City of Chicago - Monday, July 23, 2007, 6 pm – 8 pm
University of Illinois at Chicago - Student Center East, Room 302
750 S. Halsted Street
Chicago, IL 60607

Will County - Tuesday, July 24, 2007, 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm
Joliet Public Library - Main Building
150 N. Ottawa Street
Joliet, IL 60435

North Cook County - Tuesday, July 24, 2007, 5 pm – 7 pm
Pace Headquarters - Board Room
550 W. Algonquin Road
Arlington Heights, IL 60005

DuPage County - Thursday, July 26, 2007, 5 pm – 7 pm
Jack T. Knuepfer Administration Building - 1st Floor Auditorium
421 N. County Farm Rd.
Wheaton, IL 60187

McHenry County - Thursday, July 26, 2007, 5 pm – 7 pm
Crystal Lake Municipal Complex - Council Chambers
100 W. Municipal Complex
Crystal Lake, IL 60039