Pass capital bill, RTA urges

Regional Transportation Authority leaders put their desire for a capital bill into writing Thursday.

The RTA board approved a resolution asking the Illinois General Assembly to vote in favor of a statewide capital construction program.

Lawmakers are already mulling over an 8 cents-per-gallon fee, which would be on top of the state's 19-cent take.

RTA officials anticipated mass transit might be eligible for 30 percent of the revenues allocated for transportation projects. This could translate into $3 billion over five years, however, the agency said that Metra, the Chicago Transit Authority and Pace have capital needs of $10 billion currently.

Although Springfield has talked about a capital bill for years, RTA Chairman Jim Reilly said, "I think the sun, moon and stars are more in alignment" now than in previous years.