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In the early hours of Halloween, Illinois General Assembly passed $1.5B transit bill that’s anything but horrific. Pritzker will likely sign it.
Update Friday 10/31/25, 9:00 AM: It was scary when the Illinois General Assembly floor debate over transit legislation entered the Halloween witching hours. But thankfully it looks like we've avoided a "Nightmare on Second Street" (the roadway where the state capitol is located). Here are some features of the new legislation that passed with $1.5 billion for public transportation, raised without statewide taxes, which I gleaned from a report by Capitol News Illinois and a summary by Capitol Fax.
October 29, 2025
Live from Springfield: Environmental advocates urge lawmakers to “fix and fund public transportation” at Climate Action Day at the Capitol
On Tuesday, I hopped on my bicycle and high-tailed it from Chicago to Springfield, Illinois, the state capital, in an effort to sample my first-ever horseshoe sandwich. In case you're not familiar with that delicacy, it's an open-faced sandwich composed of thick-sliced toast, a protein (often hamburger patties, but there are several other options), cheese sauce, and french fries. It's an indigenous dish of Flower City and, as far as I know, it's no longer available in the Windy City.
October 15, 2025
State Sen. Ram Villivalam: Here’s how we can stop Chicagoland transit from falling off the fiscal cliff
While some might argue it's risky for the senator and his colleagues to hold out for a full $1.5B to upgrade the system, he says that failure to do so would be a missed opportunity.
July 24, 2025
Sen. Mike Simmons and Rep. Hoan Huynh discuss how to cut red tape and win funding to save and improve Chicagoland transit
After yesterday's celebration of the five new Red Line stations in Edgewater and Uptown at the Argyle stop, I buttonholed State Sen. Mike Simmons and State Rep. Hoan Huynh (pronounced "Hahn Win") for updates on the transit fiscal cliff. The Illinois General Assembly failed to pass a public transportation funding and governance reform bill before the spring legislative session ended on May 31, so Chicagoland is now at risk of Draconian cuts next year.
July 22, 2025
High Speed Rail Alliance: Illinois transit overhaul could be a game-changer
A major development in Illinois could ripple far beyond the Midwest – reshaping how America thinks about high-speed and intercity rail.
June 23, 2025
Food for thought: Cycling and pedestrian advocates converged on Springfield for the 2025 Illinois Bike & Walk Summit
The 2025 Illinois Bike & Walk Summit, billed as "the state’s most important conference related to biking and walking," was held this past week in Springfield, the state capital. It was organized by Ride Illinois, the statewide cycling advocacy organization.
May 13, 2025
Under the rotunda: Hundreds of transportation and environmental advocates went to Springfield for Climate Day at the Capitol
On Tuesday, January 7, hundreds of Illinois residents headed to Springfield for 2025 Climate Day at the Capitol. They were pushing for sustainable, affordable, and equitable transportation through proposed legislation like the IL CleanJobs Platform and the Clean and Equitable Transportation Act.
January 14, 2025
CTA, 4 other Illinois transit systems get federal funding for bus electrification
There was good news on Tuesday for the CTA, as well as four other public transportation systems across Illinois, as the FTA announced $1.66 billion in grants to help electrify bus fleets nationwide.
August 17, 2022
Englewood Nature Trail, other Illinois walk/bike/transit projects get federal RAISE grants
The U.S. Department of Transportation recently announced awardees for the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) grant program. Find out which projects are being funded in Illinois.
August 12, 2022
