It's not quite the $10 billion they sought but public transit leaders weren't about to bite the hand that just fed them $1.8 billion in reacting to new capital funding from lawmakers.

The state Senate Wednesday approved raising taxes on alcohol, expanding gambling and other fees to create a $29 billion construction spending plan. The House was expected to follow suit Thursday.

The $1.8 billion is about the same amount the Regional Transportation Authority got from the state's last capital program - Illinois First capital program passed in 1999.

While some advocacy groups criticize the General Assembly for giving mass transit short shrift, noting it could jeopardize the proposed STAR line, RTA officials called the $1.8 billion received as part of a "mini" capital bill "a good first step."

"It gives us a chance to catch up," RTA Chairman Jim Reilly said Thursday. "Would we like more? Sure. So would every interest group involved in the capital bill."

The $1.8 billion along with $900 million from a "mini" capital bill totals $2.7 billion that will allow the Chicago Transit Authority, Pace and Metra to take care of some basic equipment and repair needs. These include replacing old buses, train cars and locomotives and repairing or replacing dilapidated stations and rail infrastructure.

It won't address projects such as the STAR line, a commuter line that would link the Northwest and Southwest suburbs from Joliet to Hoffman Estates to O'Hare International Airport, or bus rapid transit. RTA officials recently estimated they would need $10 billion for short- and long-term projects.

Brian Imus, director of the public interest group Illinois PIRG, said he didn't see how $1.8 billion would provide for any expansion projects, saying the earmark will only "prevent the system from getting worse." He also cautioned if the state doesn't pony up - it could result in lost federal dollars.

Lawmakers "aren't thinking about the future," Imus said.

Of the $1.8 billion, the CTA will receive $900 million, Metra will get $810 million and Pace $90 million.

RTA Executive Director Steve Schlickman was hopeful, however, that regional transit agencies could recoup dollars when Congress reauthorizes its transportation spending bill.