Transit agencies in northeastern Illinois are heading toward a fiscal cliff coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic — with an expected budget shortfall of $730 million in 2026 — as emergency federal assistance is expiring and ridership remains below pre-pandemic levels.

Big, bold solutions are needed to secure the financial viability of our region’s transit system. Through all the changes the system has experienced, one central fact remains true: A successful transit system is critical to the success of the region, its economy, health, and environment.

To address these changes, a diverse group of leaders from across northeastern Illinois are developing a Plan of Action for Regional Transit (PART) with recommendations that can help the region invest in a stronger and more financially secure transit system.

The Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) is convening representatives from the business, community, environmental, labor, and civic sectors to develop and submit this plan to the governor and General Assembly on or before January 1, 2024.

The General Assembly approved Public Act 102-1028, tasking CMAP with developing legislative recommendations on the region's transit system. The action plan will leverage findings and input from the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) and its 2023 Transit is the Answer strategic plan, as well as CMAP’s Mobility Recovery project.

The development of the report will include meaningful public engagement led by CMAP with the support of a steering committee. CMAP also will facilitate public discussions that can help shape the final set of recommendations to address the complex challenges facing northeastern Illinois’ transit systems.

The steering committee represents stakeholders from private and civic sectors to help support the development of the report and ultimately champion the report’s recommendations. The committee is set to meet at 9:00 a.m. on the following dates in 2023:

• January 18 (agenda, minutes)
• March 15 (agenda, minutes, presentation, project scope, governance problem statement)
• May 24 (agenda, presentation)
• July 19
• September 6

Watch the latest PART update. Laura Wilkison, CMAP senior director and policy advisor, updated CMAP Board members on the ongoing work to develop policy recommendations. Learn more about the PART project scope.

Transit systems face an unprecedented fiscal cliff. How did we get here? Why does it matter? Read the PART briefing book to understand the background.

CMAP Executive Director Erin Aleman and other transportation leaders shared thoughts and expertise during a panel discussion on the importance of transit reform. Aleman explained the role PART plays in the broader discussion.

PART will identify recommendations that can help the region invest in a stronger and more financially secure transit system. Read the full news release announcing PART and check out the project fact sheet.

Laura Wilkison, CMAP senior director and policy advisor, at lwilkison@cmap.illinois.gov.