Illinois Democrats Propose $1.5B Transit Plan, Pritzker Opposes

Illinois House Democrats unveiled a $1.5 billion proposal to avert a fiscal cliff for the CTA, Metra and Pace that would create a new transit oversight structure and funding stream. The package would raise revenue through a statewide 7% amusement tax on concerts and streaming, a $5 surcharge on large-event tickets, a nearly 5% tax on unrealized capital gains for billionaires, modest sales-tax increases, and by dedicating half of suburban speed-camera revenue, and it includes roughly $220 million for downstate transit. Sponsors say the plan would protect jobs and preserve service, but advocates warn cuts, layoffs and fare hikes could arrive as soon as 2026 without a deal. Gov. J.B. Pritzker said the bill "isn't going forward" in its current form, calling the billionaire unrealized-gains tax and expanded speed-camera use untested or problematic and urging further House–Senate negotiation. With the fall veto session ending imminently and little time to reconcile revenue options — even as the RTA slightly reduced its projected shortfall — transit agencies face an urgent deadline to secure a politically acceptable package.