State Senator Ram Villivalam is hosting a State of Transit town hall on Sept. 20 alongside local elected officials to share updates about the state of transit in Illinois.
“Public transit is an essential part of our communities – getting residents to where they need to go. Without this critical service, many of our neighbors will not be able to get to school, go to their job or even receive the health care they need,” said Villivalam (D-Chicago). “It is imperative that we continue to talk with residents and provide updates on what we have done to create a world-class public transit system for Illinoisans.”
The transit town hall will be held Saturday, Sept. 20 at noon at Harry S. Truman College – McKeon Lobby, located at 1145 W. Wilson Ave., Chicago. Villivalam is hosting the event alongside State Senators Sara Feigenholtz, Graciela Guzmán and Mike Simmons, and Alders Angela Clay, Maria Hadden, Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth, Matt Martin and Andre Vasquez, where they will provide updates about transit, answer residents’ questions and hear about how transit is essential in their communities.
The Northeastern Illinois transit region is expected to hit a $771 million fiscal cliff as federal pandemic relief funding runs out. Public transit riders are currently facing issues with the system, including delayed service, a lack of routes and limited coordination of services between providers.
During this spring’s legislative session, Villivalam, alongside his colleagues, passed House Bill 3438 through the Senate – a comprehensive piece of legislation aimed at providing safe, reliable, affordable, accessible, coordinated and economically impactful transit through viable, long-term solutions.
“I look forward to providing updates and receiving feedback from the community on the passage of House Bill 3438,” said Villivalam. “This legislation includes robust reforms and a transformational investment of $1.5 billion to ensure our public transit system is safe, reliable, accessible and integrated, while preventing a devastating 40% cut to public transit services and jobs.”
To register, visit: www.bit.ly/ath25.
