Working for Illinois Caucus

Montgomery State Representative Matt Hanson says there’s still no resolution to a $770 million-plus funding gap in the Chicago area’s public transportation system.

Lawmakers wrapped up their spring session in May.

"Frankly, there was no deal yet. There’s a lot of considerations when you haven’t changed anything in forty years," Hanson said. "And some of the designs, whether it be through governance, be designs through planning, be designs through capital priorities need to be redesigned. And I believe that a lot of the the structural changes, the structural considerations have been agreed upon and are very, very close. But the other part is how are we gonna pay for it and who’s gonna pay for it?"

Hanson says the current Regional Transportation Authority structure may need to be replaced. The RTA oversees rail, buses, and other transit services.

He says many of the agencies under the RTA are working on multiple budget scenarios: one with serious cuts, one holding steady, and one with increased funding to improve public transportation — which Hanson says he would prefer.