Illinois lawmakers confident they can find funding for $771M public transit shortfall

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WLS) -- State lawmakers said Thursday they're confident they can find funding for transportation by the end of the month.

The Regional Transportation Authority oversees the finances for CTA, Metra and Pace, which could all see service cuts if lawmakers don't act.

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They need to come up with $771 million.

There is still a lot of work to do.

While lawmakers continue to grapple with how to fund the transit agencies that have been struggling since the pandemic, they are also looking at reforms. Those are being hotly debated, as well.

For those who rely on public transportation, there is a lot riding on what happens in Springfield over the next two weeks.

Lawmakers are debating a pair of bills, but say they will focus on passing reforms first, then funding.

SEE MORE: With 1 month left in session, Illinois lawmakers near deal on public transit reform

"Let's make it right. Let's make it save us, make it affordable, and let's make it comfortable for the riders. And let's usher people back on the trains, and let's create more jobs and opportunities because doing the same old thing won't work," said state Rep. Marcus Evans, Democratic assistant majority leader.

The RTA says because of historic underfunding coupled with ridership down 20% since before the pandemic, the transit agencies are facing a $771 million shortfall next year.

Without the money, drastic cuts will be required.

"They will have to figure out something because living without Metro, the CTA is not an option, and it has to remain viable," Metra rider Frank Houston said.

During the RTA Board meeting, members got an update on reform and funding efforts in Springfield. The board opposes a plan to consolidate all the transit agencies and boards under a new entity. But, funding is a primary concern.

"We have at the Illinois Department of Transportation, $5 billion that's sitting in a fund that they can't even get out the door fast enough for construction projects. Give the RTA the interest on that, money that goes a long way to plugging holes that are out there," RTA chairman Kirk Dillard said.

Transit unions are also stressing the importance of making public transportation safer, by hiring ambassadors and police to make riders and employees more comfortable being on the trains and buses.

"We are on track to get this done by May 31; that is always been the goal. We do not want people to feel anxiety, as they're going to their jobs, their school, their hospital over the summer and going into the fall," said state Sen. Ram Villivalam, a Democratic chair of the Senate Transportation Committee.

With the importance of mass transit to so many people, the pressure is mounting on lawmakers to get something done, with time quickly running out.