PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) — Peoria community leaders held a town hall Monday night to discuss how the city could benefit from the Chicago transit bill in Springfield.
The Windy City’s public transportation system is facing a $770 million fiscal cliff, according to lawmakers. Without additional funding, thousands could lose their jobs.
A proposal to fund Chicago transit that had a statewide flat $1.50 tax on all non-medical and grocery deliveries as its main funding mechanism failed to pass the House earlier this year.
Lawmakers want a bill that benefits transit statewide. That includes the Peoria area..
“If we don’t do anything, then not only does the Chicago system fall apart, which doesn’t really affect us, but it does affect us in terms of our own local transit system because they would face about a $200 million shortfall,” said state Sen. Dave Koehler, whose district includes Peoria.
In the proposal, Downstate transit agencies will receive $220 million more in funding. It would also reduce the amount of funding local cities and towns need to give for state transit projects.
That means cities south of Interstate 80 would have to match up to 20% of state funding in transit projects if the new bill passes. Currently, that match is 35% for Downstate cities and towns.
Peoria Mayor Rita Ali said this could help Peoria build a proposed train line from Peoria to Chicago. The mayor said the first phase to begin to identify a corridor was given federal approval under the Biden administration.
City Hall and other communities on the route will have to match 10% of a $4 million second phase for the project. That means all the communities need to come up with $400,000. Phase 3 of the plan, which is likely still years off, is $25 million and the match would be around $5 million.
The proposed transit bill, Ali said, could help with those matching funds.
“It’s important to boost our economy, not just to get to Chicago, but to bring people here,” she said. “And all the stops along the way, perhaps going to Starved Rock State Park in Utica for the day to walk on a trail and perhaps come back that same day.”
On the delivery tax, Koehler said they would need to find a different tax. He also said the bill has to pass.
CityLink could benefit from the plan as well. With increased state funding, more routes could be added, said Kofi Kisseh, CityLink’s general manager.
Those in the audience who asked questions said they’re excited about this transit plan. Others brought up that transportation should support areas surrounding Peoria, like more bus routes connecting the city to Pekin, Washington and other municipalities.
State lawmakers could discuss this proposal in the upcoming fall veto session.
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