By Illinois Radio Network
Chicago, IL – Illinois mass transit systems could get some state money with a new capital project, but some systems in the Chicago area say they'll definitely need more.
Regional Transportation Authority Executive Director Steve Schlickman says he's happy to get state and federal money, but it's nothing compared to what the RTA should get.
Gov. Pat Quinn has proposed a nearly $26 billion capital program called "Illinois Jobs Now!", which suggests allocating about $14 billion for roads and bridges over the next five years and about $5 billion for mass transit systems.
State Rep. Julie Hamos (D-Evanston), chairman of the House Mass Transit Committee, is from a city that is served by the CTA, Pace and Metra. She says $5 billion isn't nearly enough because the system must constantly upgrade and maintain its trains, buses, tracks, etc. She says the systems barely have enough money to cover their operational costs, let alone invest in the future.
According to the governor's proposal, about $1.5 billion for mass transit would come from the state, $3 billion from the federal government, and about $560 million from federal stimulus funds.
