Transit Future

Two U.S. senators have recently introduced legislation that would require states and Metropolitan Planning Organizations to take the needs of pedestrians and bicyclists into account when building roads. The bill, which is numbered as S. 2686, would be similar to many laws currently in place at local and state levels, including a recently passed Illinois Complete Streets bill. Please call Illinois Senators Durbin and Obama and ask them to support this bill.

So, now that we’ve all breathed the requisite sighs of relief, knowing that transit is safe for now, the average transit-rider might be wondering what exactly HB 656 entails.

First, a note on the nomenclature. HB 656 has exactly the same text as SB 572, the bill for so long under discussion. However, it is technically a unique piece of legislation, originating in the senate. It is HB 656 that is now technically law in the state of Illinois.

The law itself is somewhat voluminous, so for those interested in knowing more about what it entails, this helpful fact sheet is the best place to start: http://www.juliehamos.org/PDFs/HB656FACTSHEET_01-23-08.pdf

It is also important to recognize the many tireless advocates that never stopped lobbying, attending rallies, and general letting the legislature know how important transit is to the region.  Representative Julie Hamos (D-Evanston) deserves special recognition, of course, as the principal political champion of transit in Northeastern Illinois. Read her thoughts on the bill’s passage here: http://www.juliehamos.org/transit/news/newsitem.aspx?newsitemid=163

This afternoon the legislature voted to concur with the governor’s amendatory veto, effectively ending the almost year-long transit crisis the region has suffered through patiently. No more doomsdays!

We’ll have more details soon…

Though Wednesday’s special session produced nothing for transit, legislators will meet one more time before the January 20th doomsday. Though we have asked before, please, consider contacting your legislator and/or the governor. Illinois needs a permanent, ongoing source of funding for transit.

Only a handful of legislators showed up for the governor’s special session on Wednesday. Some of the ones who did come were irked that they drove two hours down to Springfield and two hours back to Chicago for a 15-minute session. Rep. Julie Hamos did hold a hearing in the afternoon where she again asked for new ideas on how to fund transit. Apparently the plan that garnered the most discussion was a proposed cigarette-tax hike, but a similar plan had already been floated in the legislature and had failed to attract support.

Meanwhile, the next transit doomsday, Jan. 20th, looms closer. There are some indications that the gravity of the situation has finally sunk in at the governor’s office.  His spokeswoman commented: “A long-term funding solution for the CTA won’t happen without the legislature passing a bill that the Governor can sign.  We’re disappointed that most lawmakers failed to appear for the special session called by the Governor to fund the CTA and avert a planned January 20 doomsday.  …it’s important to remember there are only 18 days left until the CTA begins cutting service, raising fares and laying people off.  We hope members of the General Assembly will show up the next time the Governor calls them into special session to spare transit riders from service cuts and fare hikes.”

See CNT’s own Jacky Grimshaw interviewed on the topic of mass transit funding:  communitymediaworkshop.org/vlog/?p=20

Also, on Saturday, November 10, at 8 PM Jacky will join Thom Clark of CAN TV21 “to discuss practical and sustainable steps for dealing with mass transit woes and higher gas prices.”

Saved by a last minute infusion of federal funds, to the tune of $27 million, transit in the Chicago region will continue as usual through the end of 2007, though, as transit-riders at a CTA board public hearing Monday evening made clear, “as usual” is not as good as it should be.

Moreover, the extra funds will run out on January 20th.  The CTA board met yesterday and voted to eliminate 81 of their 154 routes, lay off more than 2,000 workers, and raise fares if further funds do not appear before then.

Currently, legislators are working to find a funding source for transit that will raise capital for other infrastructure projects, along with the governor and the mayor. Legislators have so far been unwilling to support SB 572, a comprehensive funding and reform bill proposed by Rep. Julie Hamos (D-Evanston) that would secure the future of Northeastern Illionois’ transit network.

With three days left to go before the first round of service cuts and fare hikes hits Northeast Illinois’ transit network, the governor, Mayor Daley, legislative leaders, and transit officials have all been players in an unfolding drama, with the fate of the 39 bus routes and the thousands of commuters who rely on them yet to be determined. When the day began, Illinois House speaker Michael Madigan was planning to call for a vote on SB 572, a bill that would immediately provide a long-term funding source for transit. Even if the bill passed the House, it was unlikely that the Illinois Senate would have time to consider the bill before the Monday transit doomsday.

Governor Blagojevich, however, announced that he would authorize a grant of $21 million to CTA and Pace in order to keep the services running normally through the end of the year. The money would come from unallocated federal funds. However, the direct granting of the money to the service boards requires the approval of the Federal Transit Authority (FTA). Currently, officials at the FTA are deliberating about whether to approve the grant. Transit officials in the region have said they will accept the money if the FTA agrees to the bailout.

The average American commuter sat in traffic for a full 38 hours last week, up significantly from the previous year. Chicago ranked second in congestion delays among major metropolitan areas. Only LA was worse.

According to the Sun-Times, “the delays cost the region $4 billion per year and caused individual commuters to use an extra 32 gallons of gas and spend more than $900 a year during peak travel periods.”

This news comes at a time when state legislators in Springfield have so far failed to invest enough money in the region’s transit system even to maintain current levels of operation. The urgency of not only maintaining but improving Northeast Illinois’ transit network becomes clearer in light of the enormous negative economic impact that congestion has on the region. Legislators must recognize that an investment in our transit system helps combat congestion and improves our region’s economy.

Links to relevant news articles:

http://www.suntimes.com/news/transportation/563551,CST-NWS-traffic19.article

http://www.dailysouthtown.com/news/563318,091907traffic.article

http://www.suntimes.com/news/transportation/562462,traffic091807.article

MEDIA ADVISORY

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 22

Transit advocates call on Blagojevich, leaders to return to work

WHAT:
Press conference at Governor Blagojevich’s Brown Line station with transit advocates reminding him that his own neighborhood benefits from transit service. Weeks of inactivity in Springfield have stalled passage of legislation increasing funding for the Regional Transportation Authority.

WHEN:
Wednesday August 22, 2007
10:00 a.m.

WHERE:
Francisco Brown Line Station
4648 N. Francisco Ave
(East of Sacramento Ave, West of the Chicago River)

WHO:
Center for Neighborhood Technology
Transit Riders Alliance
Illinois Public Interest Research Group
Center for Tax and Budget Accountability
Metropolitan Planning Council
Metro Seniors in Action

CONTACT:
David LeBreton, CNT 773/269-4043