CHICAGO—With a financial cliff looming at midnight on May 31, Illinois’ state Democratic lawmakers, even with a supermajority, have jumped ship on aiding Chicago’s mass transit systems.
Despite lobbying led by the Amalgamated Transit Union’s two Chicago locals and the state labor federation, the legislature supported a “reform” bill changing the transit system’s structure and fares, but without the $771 million unionists seek in state aid for the metro area’s commuter rail, subway system, elevated lines and buses.
Sympathetic state lawmakers are joining the workers at rallies in Chicago and in leafletting passengers at elevated rail and commuter rail stations, urging them to call lawmakers in the state capital of Springfield and get them to pass the transit aid measure, SB1938.
And the unions enlisted riders who depend on transit for videos in their ad campaign, also aimed at the state legislature, in favor of a measure that includes the needed money.
That failure to insert the funds in the measure prompted Democratic Mayor Brandon Johnson (D), a Chicago Teachers Union member and former shop steward, to speak out for the money, too. But given opposition to his administration by much of big business and the lawmakers it supports, it was unclear whether his pitch would succeed.
Without the money, the Chicago area’s bus systems—the CTA, the Regional Transit Authority and Pace—the CTA’s El and subways and its Metra commuter rail lines would cut service by 40% and lay off a combined 3,000 workers, a handbill posted by one supportive union, the Carpenters regional council, says. The state funds labor and its allies are seeking would replace federal coronavirus relief funds, which are ending.
Maintenance will decline, 50 El stations will be closed, half of the city’s bus routes would be eliminated, as would all Pace suburban buses on weekends, the Tribune reported. Metra trains would run once an hour, and service on its Blue Line would end. Workers and their allies in Labor’s Alliance for Public Transportation add that there would be fewer law enforcement officers patrolling mass transit.
The fate of Chicago’s mass transit is important to workers, riders, and the city’s economy. Its buses, commuter rail lines, subways, and the El combine to make Chicago one of the three most heavily used transit systems in the U.S., and one which supporters call a lifeline for residents. The cuts will come later this year, but the planning for them starts now.
Makes the city “go”
Workers and union leaders made the point at rallies that mass transit makes Chicago go, and that with service cutbacks, more cars will jam its expressways, pollution will increase, people won’t be able to get to jobs, kids won’t have buses to take to school, and the metro area’s economy will lose $2.6 billion yearly in gross domestic product.
“Transit is the heartbeat of this city. We are the veins and vessels that make this city move,” Pennie McCoach, president of ATU Local 308, declared at one rally in late May.
“This city needs public transit. Without public transit, senior citizens can’t get to their doctor’s appointments, mothers can’t take their children to day care. Students can’t get to school. This city deserves this.”
Addressing the state lawmakers, McCoach added: “You represent one of the most important states that there is, and we’re asking you to do something now. We need the funding now.”
Rank-and-file workers and transit riders chipped in, too, marshalled by the state federation and the union coalition. So did the Chicago Federation of Labor.
“Good morning from La Salle Street Station in Chicago where our railroaders are talking to commuters about the importance of transit reform and funding. Riders are clear that they want to feel safe at all hours, more frequent service and a smarter experience. It’s time to deliver,” one group representing several unions tweeted.
One Flight Attendant explained in a video that she relies on public transit to get to and from her flights out of Chicago’s busy—and jammed—O’Hare Airport. That’s because with many early-morning departures and late-night arrivals, driving and parking become both inconvenient and expensive. The mass transit lines she uses run 24/7. Though she did not say so, they’re also much cheaper than parking near O’Hare.
Offshore Rooftop restaurant server Frank Martinez addressed a crowd near his workplace on Navy Pier, a leading tourist attraction in a city that draws millions of visitors and conventioneers yearly.
“’How do I get to Chicago’s other great tourist attractions and events?’ they ask me. ‘A Cubs or Sox game?’” His answer: “The ‘El, bus, Metra,” the name for the commuter rail lines.
“If the General Assembly fails to act by May 31, we are looking at irreversible damage to our workforce, economy, and transit systems. This is not a light switch that we can turn on or off–people’s lives and ability to put food on the table are on the line,” the Chicago Federation of Labor tweeted.
The lobbying carried a note of urgency. A big funding stream that kept the buses, subways, El, and commuter trains running—emergency federal money during the coronavirus pandemic—is running out. And Illinois, like other states, faces its own financial uncertainty due to huge funding cuts from the Republican Trump administration in Washington.
The end of the coronavirus money and the D.C. funding cut threat have led to belt-tightening in the Illinois budget. The administration of Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) says it is working with the heavily Democratic legislature on where, what, and how much to cut to keep the budget balanced while still preserving needed programs. The transit workers and their allies are saying mass transit is among the services the governor says are “needed.”
The coalition also advocated a “dedicated funding stream” for mass transit.
State lawmakers have their own requirements before they would let go of any money for the Chicago metro transit systems. One was more efficiency at the top of the transit systems, i.e., cut the top-heavy management. Another was a unified fare system covering the buses, the El, the subways, and commuter rail, making transfers and fare collection easier.
“Riders are asking for faster, more reliable commutes. We can accomplish this by improving collaboration between the CTA, Metra, and Pace and through the creation of a universal fare tool that helps riders get to and from their destinations safely and on time,” the coalition agreed. That mandate is in SB1938, too.
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