From left to right: Jennifer "Sis" Killen, Cook County Department of Transportation and Highways superintendent, MPO Policy Committee vice chair; Omer Osman, Illinois Department of Transportation secretary, MPO Policy Committee chair; Erin Aleman, CMAP executive director; Gerald Bennett, Palos Hills mayor, CMAP Board chair; and Diane Williams, former Flossmoor trustee.

Regional leaders — including the Illinois Department of Transportation secretary, county board chairs, mayors, transit and transportation officials, and other stakeholders, who make up the CMAP Board and Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) Committee — gathered today to discuss the Plan of Action for Regional Transit (PART).

The meeting marks a milestone toward achieving a legislative mandate requiring CMAP to develop recommendations that address the looming fiscal crisis and propose solutions that transform and strengthen the region's transit system for the future, particularly related to funding and governance reforms.

CMAP's policy advisors shared details into the proposed solutions and the research and analysis behind them. Other regional transportation stakeholders who served on the PART Steering Committee also shared insights and perspectives.

The members of the boards asked questions and provided input for consideration. They will convene again next month to continue their deliberation. The report requires adoption by these bodies prior to submitting to the governor and General Assembly before January 1, 2024.