SPRINGFIELD ─ State Senator Ram Villivalam passed historic legislation through the Senate providing necessary reforms and transformational investments to address the public transit fiscal cliff in Illinois.

“Our public transit systems are the backbone of our communities – connecting residents to their jobs, schools, doctors and more,” said Villivalam (D-Chicago). “Now is the time to embrace viable, long-term solutions that provide a world-class public transit system to Illinoisans.”

Senate Bill 2111 would create the Northern Illinois Transit Authority, known as NITA – shifting authority from the Regional Transit Authority to the new entity that will oversee CTA, Metra and Pace.  The NITA board would be comprised of 20 members, with five appointments each from the governor, mayor of Chicago and Cook County Board president, as well as one from each chair or county executive of the collar county boards of DuPage, Kane, McHenry, Lake and Will.

It would also address safety concerns through various reforms, including the creation of a transit ambassador program to deploy unarmed staff at transit stations and on vehicles across the system to provide customer service assistance, liaise with social service providers and alert law enforcement to potential criminal activity. Additionally, it would create the NITA Law Enforcement Task Force aimed at combating violent and other types of crime that occur on the public transit system, as well as the Office of Transit Safety and Experience  to coordinate with law enforcement and social service agencies.

The measure would ensure integrated service through the creation the Interagency Coordinating Committee on transit innovation, integration and reform to focus on how to improve and better integrate transit with intercity rail and bus networks in Illinois outside of the northeast region accompanied by a historic level of funding for downstate public transit.

Additionally, Senate Bill 2111 establishes a unified fare system, supports the state’s climate goals by requiring all newly purchased transit buses to be zero emissions, and improves accountability by requiring Senate confirmation of all NITA board appointments, among other changes.

“Through this measure, we are ensuring that Illinoisans, no matter where they live, have access to safe, reliable, affordable and integrated public transit, for years to come” said Villivalam.

Senate Bill 2111 passed the Senate Friday.