Demonstrators took to the streets of Downtown Chicago on Saturday, urging Governor JB Pritzker and state lawmakers to address a critical transit funding crisis that threatens the future of the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) and suburban commuter systems.
The rally, held at Daley Plaza, attracted hundreds of participants who came together to advocate for a solution to a looming $770 million fiscal cliff faced by the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) next year.
Experts have warned that without intervention, this financial gap could lead to a 40 percent cut in area-wide transit services, potentially eliminating vital CTA bus and train lines.
Alderman Matt Martin, representing the 47th Ward, spoke passionately at the rally, reflecting on the importance of public transportation in his own move to Lincoln Square.
“When I first came to Chicago, I thought that we’ve got this beautiful backbone here in the city, that backbone being the CTA, that can get you anywhere you want to go,” Martin said.
He emphasized the connection between affordable housing, education, and public transit, asserting, “you can’t do that without transit, right?”
The protest unfolded after state lawmakers failed to pass a key reform bill this year aimed at addressing the regional transit system and providing essential funding to close the significant budget gap.
Despite passing through the state Senate, the bill stalled in the House of Representatives and missed the legislative deadline on June 1st.
During the rally, advocates and local leaders called for Governor Pritzker to reconvene legislators in Springfield to address the transit budget deficit, with many protesters expressing frustration over the perceived allegiance of the Democratic Party to its constituents.
“What do we need? A special session! When do we need it? Now!” demonstrators chanted, signaling their urgency for action.
Governor Pritzker hinted at the possibility of a special session for the transit bill later this summer, although critics questioned whether he was doing enough to support public transportation in the state amid speculation about a potential presidential run in 2028.
Jesse Bostic, a representative of the Chicago Teachers Union, criticized the Democratic administration, likening the transit crisis to the challenges presented under President Donald Trump’s administration.
“Our Democratic state government is to blame,” Bostic stated at the rally. “When I think to myself, ‘What would the Trump administration do if they were given control of the RTA?’, it is exactly this.”
He added that the governor and legislature have previously promised to protect Illinois from adverse effects that might come from the federal level.
Without state funding, estimates from the Regional Transit Agency indicate that one in five Chicagoans could lose access to public transit by 2026.
Chicago would experience the most severe impacts of any cuts, with the CTA facing the potential shutdown of half its current “L” lines and nearly 60 percent of bus routes.
This would drastically affect the commuting options for 500,000 Chicago residents and leave around 260,000 city workers without a reliable means of transportation, according to the RTA.
Disability rights advocates present at the rally warned that cuts to transit services could be particularly harmful for individuals relying on public transportation.
Mary Delgado, who has been using a wheelchair since the age of two, described the news of the budget shortfall as “devastating.”
Delgado shared her personal experiences with the existing accessibility challenges within the transit system: “I already miss multiple trains a week,” she said, pointing to the difficulties in accessing train ramps.
“How will I get around if the state cuts transit funding? It’s not just about going to work or visiting family; it makes it harder to see friends and enjoy life,” she lamented, highlighting the potential isolation such cuts would create.
Following the speeches, protestors marched toward Union Station on South Canal Street before dispersing in front of a West Loop office building hosting several state agencies located at 555 West Monroe.
Advocates encouraged attendees to reach out to their state legislators, urging them to support the transit bill and advocate for a special session to address the looming funding crisis.
As the urgency for action continues to grow, many hope that state leaders will respond to the calls for adequate transit funding to protect the mobility and livelihoods of residents across Chicago and its suburbs.
image source from：blockclubchicago
