Lawmakers Approve $1.5 Billion Transit Funding Plan Without Statewide Tax Hikes

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois lawmakers have approved a $1.5 billion plan to support public transit, largely benefiting the Chicago area while reducing funding for downstate systems. The measure redirects sales tax revenue from motor fuel and interest from the Road Fund toward transit operations and raises the Regional Transportation Authority sales tax in the Chicago region. Drivers on northern Illinois tollways will also pay 45 cents more per toll, increasing annually with inflation. The plan, which excludes earlier proposals for statewide taxes on streaming, deliveries, and event tickets, passed the House 72-33 and the Senate 36-21, both along party lines. Downstate transit agencies will receive $129 million—below the $200 million they sought—prompting complaints from Republican lawmakers who said the bill prioritizes Chicago at the expense of infrastructure projects elsewhere. The legislation also establishes a new Northern Illinois Transit Authority to coordinate services and oversee regional transit operations.