Illinois – Today, following months of negotiations, the Illinois General Assembly passed the Northern Illinois Transit Authority (NITA) Act, which includes a $1.5 billion investment in transit and critical reforms that take long-overdue steps to ensure transit agencies deliver a coordinated, cost-efficient regional transit service. In response, the Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition released the following statement:
“This is a transformative investment that not only averts the transit fiscal cliff, but invests in Illinois’ future. This legislation will improve safety and rider experience, better integrate service across CTA, Metra, and Pace, and increase transit service frequency and reliability, all while mitigating air and climate pollution across the region. Over the past two years, Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition advocates and riders across the state have sounded the alarm that transit reform and investment are critical to our economy and called for action to ensure safe, reliable, and affordable transit for generations to come. This week alone, advocates delivered 20,000 petitions from constituents across the state echoing this call to action. Today, lawmakers acted to address this crisis and transform the system.
“With the passage of the NITA Act, for the second time in 24 hours, Illinois is boldly leading the nation forward in tackling the climate crisis. As the leading source of greenhouse gas emissions in Illinois, addressing our heavily polluting transportation sector by investing in public transit confronts climate change and makes our air healthier to breathe. We applaud leaders in the Illinois General Assembly and the Governor for coming together on legislation that invests in our future and delivers the transit system Illinoisans deserve.”
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