Transit Future

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

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