Metra officials warn the agency could cut service by as much as 40 percent to make up for a massive budget shortfall.
Chicago’s Metra transit agency could be forced to cut service by as much as 40 percent in 2027 without additional funding, reports Darius Johnson for CBS Chicago.
According to Metra Executive Director Jim Derwinski, the agency faces a $221 million budget shortfall in 2026 and a $332 million gap in 2027. “The plan is to wait for Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker's budget proposal in February to see how they can fill and reduce expenses. Some possibilities include a reduction of expenses, other people's money, increased money from the state, and increased fares.”
The proposed cuts could undermine the transit system that so many Chicagoland commuters depend on. “Springfield is going to really be pressed into action to really find a way to help, because the whole state will be affected by this,” said DePaul University professor and transportation expert Joe Schwieterman.
Read the full story: Metra warns financial woes could lead to 40% reduction in service
Chicago Transit: $770M Shortfall, 40% Service Cuts Loom
Despite dire warnings from transit officials, the Illinois General Assembly ended its legislative session without a solution.
Chicago Transit Agencies on Brink of Major Crisis
Without additional funding, regional transit agencies will be forced to cut services by 40 percent.
Chicago Commute Times Could Double Without New Transit Funding
A dire warning from regional transit leaders paints a bleak scenario for traffic if agencies are forced to cut service.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
California plans to bury El Niño’s downpour
If the state plays its cards right, it may be able to store a billion acre-feet of El Niño’s water in aquifers.
Desperate measures: Advocates weigh draining Lake Powell to fill Colorado River
Draining the reservoir could reduce evaporation losses by a couple hundred thousand acre-feet.
How a Chicago-sized wind farm beat the odds and powered on
The project spanned five presidential administrations and a standoff with a U.S. military base.
MTA gives itself 30 days to transform pit into basketball court
The site has been under construction since 2022; the city originally estimated it would finish the court in 2024.
Non-stop party: Chicago voters weigh permanent festival grounds
A stable place for bleachers, stages and drainage may streamline the setup and teardown of large events.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
City of Rosemead
Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
One Hundred Miles
Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY)
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
City of Cambridge
Montrose County
The Pocatello Development Authority