Bill > HB2839

This bill would consolidate the service boards of the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) by dissolving the separate boards of the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), Suburban Bus Division, and Commuter Rail Division, and creating a unified governance structure effective January 1, 2026. Specifically, the bill would: 1. Transform the Chicago Transit Authority from an independent entity into a division of the Regional Transportation Authority, with the RTA Board serving as the CTA's Board of Directors. 2. Abolish the Suburban Bus Board and Commuter Rail Board, with the RTA Board directly operating those divisions. 3. Create several new committees within the RTA Board to oversee the operations of each division, including the Chicago Transit Authority Committee, Commuter Rail Committee, Suburban Bus Committee, and other specialized committees like Paratransit and Innovations, Budget and Finance, and Planning and Capital Program. 4. Establish that the RTA will be primarily responsible for setting policy, strategic direction, allocating funds, and prioritizing investments, while the new divisional committees will be responsible for day-to-day operations. 5. Ensure that existing employees, appointed officials, and ongoing contracts will continue under the new structure, with terms and appointments remaining valid until their natural expiration. 6. Make conforming changes to various state laws to reflect this new organizational structure, including modifications to budget processes, employment contracts, and administrative procedures. The bill aims to streamline the governance of public transportation in the Chicago metropolitan region by creating a more unified and centralized management approach while maintaining the distinct operational characteristics of each transit division.

Transportation and Infrastructure

https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?DocNum=2839&GAID=18&DocTypeID=HB&SessionID=114&GA=104