(Springfield, IL) — Lawmakers passed a bill early Friday morning to fill a budget shortfall for public transit.
The additional funds come as the RTA faced a budget gap of more than $200 million. State lawmakers had considered statewide tax increases but scrapped the plan after pushback from Downstate lawmakers.
Part of the act that was passed would redirect $860 million in motor fuel tax to the RTA. Additional funds totaling $200 million would come from interest growing in the Road Fund, which is used for transportation construction projects.
Existing Regional Transportation Authority sales taxes will increase as well by 0.25 percentage points, to 1% the collar counties and 1.25% in Cook County.
Tolls will increase as well with drivers having to pay 45 cents more per toll. According to RTA Director Kirk Dillard, none of that money goes to public transit. Lawmakers say the funds will be part of a plan to create a new capital program for tollway projects. That toll hike will also increase by inflation each year.
No Republicans voted for the bill.
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