Transit Funding Crisis in Chicago!

The RTA which is the governing body for the three transit service boards (CTA, Pace and Metra) is on pins and needles as they wait for a funding proposal from the Illinois General Assembly. On the table is Senate Bill 572 sponsored in the senate by Sen. John Cullerton (D) Chicago. The original bill came out of the house mass transit committe chaired by Rep. Julie Hamos (D) Evanston. The Highlights of the bill were worked out between the CTA and the Amalgamated Transit Unions Locals 241 and 308. At the top of the bill are Pension and Healthcare reforms. These requirements were asked for by the Legislature and both local presidents and their lobbyists should be commended for the great work they performed. The Auditor General of Illinois conducted a yearlong audit of the 3 service boards and the RTA and recommended the sweeping changes to their organizations. However due to the fact that Gov. Blagoivech will not sign any legislation that allows for tax increases the bill has been placed on postponed consideration. Speaker Michael Madigan attempted to resurrect the bill again but held off due to a lack of having the needed votes to override the Governors veto. The Republicans are holding out for a capital bill for Illinois and they have tied S.B. 572 to that capital bill. The question being asked by many is, hey Democrats, what happened on May 31, 2007 the end of the session in Springfield? We salute the unions for their effort and we are hopeful for a successful outcome. For more on S.B. 572 visit www.juliehamos.org

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