September 10, 2026

It’s a New Day for Transit in Chicagoland

The new Northern Illinois Transit Authority board meets today, with big goals on the agenda

By Kevin Brubaker, Chief Operations Officer & Deputy Director

Illinois became a shining example for transit solutions last year, when our state legislature passed the most comprehensive funding and reform package in the country. The Northern Illinois Transit Authority (NITA) Act saved our buses and trains, keeping thousands of cars off the road and emissions out of our air. Better yet, it called for the transition to a more cohesive transit system that could meet needs of today’s Chicagoland and grow ridership.

Now comes the hard part: establishing a new agency with the right leadership and culture to realize this dream. As the new NITA board begins its work today, here’s what it should focus on:

Integration

For too long, transit service boards have competed against each other for customers. The NITA board needs to lead on integration, breaking down the silos between CTA, Metra, and Pace. Riders should be able to transfer from buses to trains easily to complete their trips across the region, with unified schedules, fares, and information systems.

Board members with dual appointments need to view their role as one of bringing regional leadership to service boards – not as service board emissaries to NITA. As this transition really kicks off over the next year, we know some things can happen quickly – eg. one set of lobbyists rather than four, piloting new security efforts and fare products. Others will take time – eg. capital planning and adjusting schedules to match, throughout the day and weekend.

Safety

Customers won’t come back to transit unless they perceive it as safe. Perception matters. But serious crime is down 40%, violent crime down 33%, and property crime cut in half on CTA since last year, reflecting both recent enforcement and national trends.  So, while NITA needs to act quickly and decisively the response must remain flexible and data driven.

CTA’s new investments in social service support will save police time and improve rider experience and can be ramped up or down as needed. The Cook County Police’s data-oriented approach to tracking enforcement efforts and after-effects can help target new infrastructure, social services, and police as needed. On the other hand, by the time we build up a new transit police force, the need for this force may already have diminished or changed.

Prudence

Yes, transit funding doubled. But much of that money is going to fill post-COVID operating losses and build security efforts, leaving only a fraction for new service. The NITA board needs to prudently ensure that every new – and old – dollar is spent in ways that maximize transit benefits to the region. Making an attractive transit service that meets people’s needs with frequent and reliable trains and buses will mean more ridership and more fare dollars too, creating a virtuous cycle for further improvement. Where are the most urgent gaps that can make the whole system work better? How do we get the most bang for the public buck?

Implemented correctly, NITA can be one of Illinois’ most important climate solutions, promoting sustainable development and keeping cars off the road. Vibrant transit is good for business, good for jobs, and good for the environment. ELPC will be keeping a close eye on the new NITA board and working with our partners to hold them accountable to the ambitious goals of the legislation. All aboard!