Tuesday, Dec 16, 2025 – Posted by Rich Miller

* Press release…

Today, Governor JB Pritzker signed the Northern Illinois Transit Authority (NITA) Act, SB2111, into law, marking a landmark action in modernizing Illinois’ transit system. The law creates a new regional authority to oversee CTA, Metra, and Pace, while delivering significant investments in public transit, capital projects, and tollways across the state—all without raising statewide taxes.

The law will redefine how transit operates in Illinois, giving NITA expanded authority over service planning, capital projects, fare collection, and operational oversight, all while addressing the fiscal cliff that threatened the reliability and long-term stability of the state’s transit systems. These improvements extend beyond riders, as better transit expands job access, creates cleaner air, lowers congestion, and supports economic development. According to Argonne National Lab, each dollar invested in transit generates $13 in economic activity, highlighting the far-reaching impact of these investments. […]

RESPONSIBLE FUNDING FOR PUBLIC TRANSIT

The NITA Act delivers approximately $1.5 billion in annual transit and infrastructure funding without creating any new broad-based statewide taxes. Funding is generated by redirecting existing revenue streams and through board-approved regional tax authority.

• Divert Gas Sales Tax to Transit: A portion of the existing sales tax on gas—historically directed to the General Revenue Fund (GRF) or shifted to the Road Fund for construction—is now dedicated to transit, raising approximately $860 million annually for transit operations.
• Authorize RTA to Increase Regional Sales Tax by 0.25%: The sales tax is currently collected exclusively in the 6-county NITA region, enabling RTA to access $478 million annually for NITA operations.
• Divert Road Fund and State Construction Account Fund (SCAF) Interest to Transit Capital: 90% of the interest will be allocated to Northeastern Illinois, and 10% to downstate, raising approximately $200 million annually for NITA and downstate capital.
• Tollway Revenue Provisions: The legislation also includes revenue measures supporting a new Tollway capital program.

[…] INVESTING IN THE SUBURBS AND DOWNSTATE

The NITA Act provides targeted support to strengthen transit across Illinois, ensuring every community can benefit from a modern, and accessible transportation options. Key investments stabilize operations, improve coordination, and expand services to better meet local needs:

• Enhanced Suburban Service: Improved coordination between Metra and Pace for more reliable and frequent service.
• New regional Dial-a-Ride program and Metra’s regional rail model expand on-demand transit and suburb-to-suburb connectivity, including service beyond downtown Chicago, especially benefiting seniors and riders with disabilities.
• $150 Million for Downstate Transit
o Stabilizes operations and supports capital projects across downstate communities.
o Local cost-share reduced from 35% to 20%, reflecting smaller or shifting local tax bases.

Local communities previously had to cover 35% of transit project costs. Under SB 2111, that requirement is lowered to 20%, making it easier for smaller towns or communities with limited or changing tax revenue to maintain and improve transit services.

STRENGTHENING PUBLIC SAFETY ON TRANSIT

Funding supports statewide safety measures designed to improve security and rider experience across the transit system, including:

• Coordinated Safety and Law Enforcement: Organizes a Law Enforcement Task Force led by Cook County’s Sheriff to combat violent crime and establishes a Coordinated Response Safety Council with law enforcement and social service representatives to develop a long-term strategy.
• Transit Ambassador Program and Safety Technology: Deploys unarmed ambassadors to assist riders and liaise with social services, while public-facing technologies, including a mobile app, allow riders to report safety issues in real time to the regional authority and law enforcement.

The bill will go into effect on June 1,2026. A detailed fact sheet with additional details about the bill is available here.

* We’ll use the 24liveblog app for updates…