Not all seniors may get a free ride after all

SPRINGFIELD -- Gov. Rod Blagojevich may have promised free public transportation for every senior citizen in Illinois, but the fine print of his deal appears to come up short.

Last week, Blagojevich said he'd give up on his campaign pledge to oppose higher sales taxes, but only if it meant all senior citizens get free bus and train rides.

"I'm going to write a line in the bill that provides free public transportation to every senior citizen who lives in the state of Illinois," Blagojevich told reporters.

However, a close look at the plan his office filed shows only seniors living in mass transit districts would get the freebie. In other words, suburban seniors could ride Pace and CTA lines for free, but a 65-year-old downstate tourist could not.

Similarly, the free rides on Springfield, Peoria and other downstate bus routes would be limited to seniors living in those communities. Several parts of the state have no mass transit.

A spokeswoman for the governor acknowledged the distinction.

"The (language) that we filed does make sure seniors can ride free within their district. We will be encouraging districts to allow all seniors to ride for free," said spokeswoman Rebecca Rausch. "That will be up to them."

State lawmakers approved a mass transit bailout that would raise sales taxes in Chicago and the suburban counties and impose a higher real estate transfer tax in the city. Blagojevich opposed the taxes but said he'd go along if the senior perk were included.

That sends the deal back for another vote with a Jan. 20 transit "doomsday" looming. Lawmakers are expected back at the Capitol on Thursday.

Under the governor's proposal, Rausch said, it's up to local transit districts to decide if outside seniors would be allowed to ride free.

"Our main goal is to allow seniors to get around their towns for free," Rausch said.

Lawmakers, who were initially caught off guard by the governor's senior perk, said it seems the idea wasn't well thought out.

"The drama always surrounds the Blagojevich administration, and it does once again," said Patty Schuh, spokeswoman for Senate Republican leader Frank Watson of downstate Greenville.

State Rep. Elaine Nekritz, a Northbrook Democrat, said, "This is just another example of why ideas are vetted through the legislative process."

Meanwhile, officials from Chicagoland transit agencies said it's too early to discuss how to make the governor's idea work.

Two potential options discussed for senior Pace riders would allow them to either display a special pass or to place an electronic pass in the fare box, said Patrick Wilmot, a Pace spokesman.

"Our first priority is to make sure this (bailout) bill passes," Wilmot said. "Then we can kind of sit down and start planning this."