For years, we have championed not only increased funding, but also meaningful transformation of our public transportation system.
Riders continue to face a fragmented transit network—schedules and fares are inconsistent, full accessibility remains out of reach, and service often falls short of meeting the community’s needs and expectations.
That’s why we’re excited to share a major milestone: On the final day of the spring 2025 Illinois legislative session, the Illinois Senate passed the Sustainable Transit for Northern Illinois Act (HB 3438 Amendment 3).
This landmark legislation, shaped by many of the ideas we introduced in the Metropolitan Mobility Authority Act back in April 2024, represents a significant step forward for transit in our region.
Will you stand with us in urging the General Assembly to reconvene in Springfield for a special session this summer? It’s time to deliver meaningful reforms and commit $1.5 billion to our transit system, ensuring that everyone—no matter where they live—can count on safe, reliable, and affordable transportation for generations to come.
We know you don’t have time to read all 807 pages, so here are a few key highlights.
A regionally oriented system:
- The Regional Transportation Authority will be replaced by the Northern Illinois Transit Authority (NITA), a stronger regional agency with final authority over how public transit is planned, funded, and delivered for the public in the six-county Chicago metropolitan region. The system transition will take about three years overall, though there are benchmarks for some elements to be implemented more quickly.
- Service will be better aligned with regional needs because NITA will use service standards to determine the level, nature, and kinds of public transportation that should be provided throughout the metropolitan region, versus the current static, siloed, and archaic funding formulas. There will be a transparent service delivery plan based on rider needs, such as where population and jobs are located, where people do not have access to cars, and where low-income residents live. The service standards will show the levels of service for all buses and trains in the region so riders will know what to expect. CTA, Metra, and Pace will be focused on transit service delivery determined by NITA.
- All of the service operators (CTA, Metra, and Pace) will have board members who also sit on the regional board. In addition, all members of the service operator boards will need to have expertise in overseeing a public transportation system. These individuals could have backgrounds in urban and regional planning, management of large capital projects, labor and workforce development, business management, public administration, transportation, and community organizations. The appointments of the executive directors of the service operators will be confirmed by the NITA Board.
A safer system: The legislation includes a comprehensive approach to safety grounded in lessons learned from transit operators and transit systems across the country:
- Launch of a temporary multi-jurisdictional law enforcement task force pulling from the Illinois State Police, Cook County Sheriff’s Office, and Chicago Police Department.
- Creation of a Transit Ambassador program that will help monitor rider activity and help passengers get where they need to go. Ambassadors will also work with law enforcement, social services, and community resources to connect people with relevant social, medical, and other services.
- Emphasis on environmental design to improve station conditions and make better use of safety technologies, including real time rider communications to transit personnel.
- Regional oversight will be strengthened through a dedicated NITA Board Safety Subcommittee and a new Office of Transit Safety and Experience to coordinate and prioritize ongoing safety efforts.
A more rider-centered system
- A unified fare structure, a unified approach to fare payments, a low-income fare program, and fare capping will all be created by NITA. So, no more confusion about fares, paying multiple fares, having to download different apps, and the like.
- More integrated service will result from developing service plans at the regional level. This means better connections between Metra, Pace and CTA so that transit riders can travel more easily throughout the region and have better timed transfers.
- A number of changes will be made to speed up buses. IDOT will establish a Transit Integration Policy Development Committee and an IDOT Transit Coordination Oversight Officer focusing on prioritizing bus transit on roadways. NITA will also be empowered to coordinate with local jurisdictions on bus lane enforcement, or to lead bus lane enforcement if needed.
- There will be more focus on accessibility through a new Office of Disability Policy and Planning. This office will develop ADA-related training standards and a regional Transit Accessibility Plan among other tasks.
- Creation of a regional ADA Advisory Board, a Riders Advisory Council, and three Regional Service Councils to give the public direct lines of communication with NITA Board and staff.
- New projects must connect sidewalks to the transit stop. Local units of government will be able to seek reimbursement for the related costs.
Unlocks Potential of Transit Oriented Development to create more vibrant, walkable transit station areas and corridors and increase affordability of housing:
- NITA can own and build residential and commercial properties within one-half mile of a station or within one-eighth of a mile of bus stops.
- Transit-oriented developers will no longer have to provide arbitrary minimum levels of parking for every project but can respond to market conditions. If developers can right-size parking, they can provide more affordable housing and commercial space, and station areas will be more walkable.
This is a quick overview of many of the positive features of this legislation. We’re excited to see this transformational bill moving forward.
But in order to get this legislation passed, we need your help.
Will you join us in telling the General Assembly: Return to Springfield for a special session this summer. Finalize real reforms and invest $1.5 billion in our transit system so everyone — regardless of zip code — has access to safe, reliable, and affordable transportation for generations to come.
Together, we can protect public transit and keep Illinois moving forward.