Chicago, IL – In response to proposed transit reform legislation by the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning, Chicago Federation of Labor President Bob Reiter and Illinois AFL-CIO President Tim Drea have expressed cautious support.
The legislation aims to fully fund public transit in Northeastern Illinois and considers consolidating the region’s transit service boards.The leaders acknowledged the essential role of public transit in connecting workers to crucial services and supported increased state funding for key agencies like CTA, METRA, and PACE. However, they voiced significant concerns about the proposal to consolidate transit boards.
According to Reiter and Drea, this move could create bureaucratic obstacles and diminish the direct lines of communication between workers, the public, and board members overseeing transit operations.
Emphasizing the need for thoughtful deliberation, the labor representatives commended Senator Ram Villivalam and Representative Eva Dina Delgado for their leadership in addressing these reforms. They reiterated their commitment to collaborative efforts aimed at securing a financially sustainable and effective public transit system that prioritizes safety and reliability.
