Rally and Vote

Rep. Hamos and her transit-oriented House colleagues were very busy this past Tuesday and Wednesday.

Tuesday's (very hot) rally in support of transit outside the Thompson Center was very heartening—it reflected the broad and diverse regional coalition built over the past few years to move forward on a [an equitable and] sustainable funding solution for mass transit. Standing with me on the stage was President Huberman, RTA Chairman Jim Reilly, Mayor Daley, Speaker Madigan, DuPage County Chairman Bob Schillerstrom, Rep. Julie Hamos, Rep. Sid Mathias, and many, many others (I couldn’t count all the familiar faces on the stage). If you were there, thank you for showing your support.

The message I took from the rally was that a strong and sustainable transit system is not a luxury our region enjoys, it’s a necessity our region can’t live without. And with September 16^th (and then the 2008 budget process) fast approaching, everyone knows it’s at very real and imminent risk right now.

On a more positive note, Wednesday the House Rules Committee met to consider House Amendment 4 to Senate Bill 572. The Amendment, which passed 15 to 4, makes some technical pension-specific and governance changes to the SB 572. I’m told that the full bill can now move to the floor of the House for an expected vote in Springfield on September 4. If it passes the House, it then would need to be called for a vote by Senate President Jones and then would be offered to the Governor for his signature. So the legislative process of transit funding reform continues apace.

With the show of support for transit Tuesday, and the progress on SB 572 Wednesday, I’m confident that the importance of a healthy Metra, CTA and Pace—and the transportation needs of our customers—is front and center in lawmakers’ minds.