Passengers depart from a Metra platform on the UPN line
August 22, 2025
Chicagoland Transit Crisis Requires RTA Leadership and Transparency
ELPC senior policy advocate calls on the Regional Transit Authority to “Hope for the best, but plan for the worst” in the face of the transit fiscal cliff
By
By Nicole Martinez, ELPC Policy Intern, Summer 2025
Chicagoland’s public transit system, encompassing the CTA, Metra, and Pace, is currently facing a critical fiscal cliff. This looming transit crisis stems from a significant drop in ridership during the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing shift to hybrid work culture, which has severely impacted farebox revenues. As federal COVID-19 relief funds are set to expire, beginning in 2026, the transit agencies could face an annual revenue gap of 20%, potentially leading to devastating service cuts of 40%. Such cuts would not only be dire for commuters, consumers, and employers but would also have severe environmental consequences, exacerbating pollution and gridlock.
In response to this urgent situation, the ELPC and a broad coalition of environmental, public health, and business leaders have been advocating for solutions. A key part of this advocacy involves passing new legislation at the state level to provide new funding, while reforming the transit system to rebuild trust, improve service, and grow ridership.
TELL YOUR IL LAWMAKERS TO SAVE TRANSIT HERE
But in order to pass such a bill, lawmakers and the public need accurate information about the state of the fiscal cliff, and what we have to gain. The Regional Transit Authority (RTA) is best positioned to provide that information and essential, unifying leadership amongst Chicagoland’s transportation service boards. At RTA’s board meeting on June 12th, ELPC Senior Policy Advocate Derrick James requested concrete data and expert analysis, while urging RTA to hold the transit agencies together as a region.
Calling for “Radical Transparency” and Regional Vision
At the board meeting, James’ primary request to the RTA was simple: “Hope for the best, but plan for the worst.” He called for the RTA to provide their expert data, analysis, and leadership to guide the CTA, Metra, and Pace as they now plan for service cuts and mass layoffs. He specifically advocated for “radical transparency” throughout this process, demanding clarity on which routes might be cut and the criteria for such decisions, such as protecting high-ridership routes, those with the lowest fixed costs, and those serving low-income communities and areas with low car ownership.
James also stressed that the RTA’s role is to unite the region and prevent internal divisions, providing clear, detailed answers to elected officials about the positive impact additional revenues could have on the region’s transit future, especially in the all-too-real context of transportation being a leading cause of the climate crisis. As he put it, “we cannot let things splinter into silos that pit people against one another. The transit fiscal cliff is not a matter of service board vs service board or of city vs suburbs. This problem was created as the result of a once-in-a-generation pandemic that is facing our region as a whole. And it will take our region working together to get us out of it.”
“The transit fiscal cliff is… the result of a once-in-a-generation pandemic that is facing our region as a whole. And it will take our region working together to get us out of it.”
While we have not received very many specifics on the transit routes at risk, this August, RTA transferred $74 million in discretionary funds (which usually go to Metra and Pace) to the CTA. CTA is expected to run out of federal covid relief money before Metra and Pace, so this will help to help push off the fiscal cliff a little longer into 2026. This was a good move for regional solidarity, giving lawmakers a time to pass the bill and see funding solutions ramp up before cuts come into effect. But it it only a short-term step for a long-term challenge.
What’s Next for Saving Transit
The Illinois General Assembly was unable to pass the critical transit funding and reform legislation by the end of its session on May 31st, but we did make significant progress. Lawmakers worked with a broad group of stakeholders to examine a number of competing bills and negotiated a reform package that was heralded by labor, environmental, business, and civic groups alike. Both the House and Senate introduced this legislation, and the Senate even passed $1.5 billion in new funding. Unfortunately, the House and Senate could not reach a consensus on funding sources in time.
Despite this setback, the ELPC and its coalition partners remain committed to the fight for transit. We are heading to Springfield for the October “veto” session to advocate for a legislative solution as soon as possible, urging lawmakers to recognize that transit is essential for the region’s future. Join us not just in working to save and improve public transportation in Illinois by joining our email list and filling out our action alert.
The goal is to secure $1.5 billion in new state funding for Northeastern Illinois, plus $200 for downstate transit and passenger rail, in addition to reforms. Passing this package will save the system from devastating cuts AND help it to grow it into a safer, more connected, and reliable network for generations to come. Tell your lawmakers to fund and fix our essential transit systems now!