Politicians must prioritize saving public transit

Access. That one word summarizes why public transportation is so crucial to small businesses across the region.

When small businesses set up shop near a strong public transit system, their world opens. Their customer base expands and access to talented workers increases.

There is a significant number of people that do not have cars but are able to shop and work at small businesses because of public transit. A robust and quality public transit system creates opportunities and fosters economic development in communities throughout the region.

Regrettably, the public transit system is on the rocks and faces more than a $770 million fiscal cliff in 2026. Without swift action, services could be cut by 40%, devastating small businesses that rely on public transit for customers and employees.

Should legislators fail to fix and fund public transit, Metra, CTA rail lines and bus services could be seriously impacted. State legislators left Springfield without a plan to fund public transit in May.

The situation in Springfield

Each Illinois legislative session ends with a flurry of activity. Closed door negotiations, late nights and last-minute deals are the norm, as both the public and advocates struggle to figure out what legislation will emerge. Sometimes the Illinois House and Senate are not on the same page, and this doomed public transit legislation last spring.

Legislators focused on two distinct public transit priorities last session: Consolidation to increase efficiency and funding the public transit system. While policymakers spent considerable time on these issues, legislation did not pass which addressed either of them. The session ended without a deal.

There does not appear to be a special summer session scheduled so the pressure will be on legislators during the General Assembly’s fall veto session.

What comes next

Traffic in and around Chicago is awful. Can you imagine congestion getting any worse?

That will happen if our public transit system is not funded, and services are cut. Parking will get worse, pollution will increase, and some people will be unable or less inclined to frequent small businesses if they cannot use public transportation. People that cannot get to work without public transit will become unemployed while small businesses will have an even harder time finding employees to support their operations.

Politicians must return to Springfield and explore how to utilize funds already in the coffers of the General Assembly on public transit. There will be significant resistance to imposing new surcharges or taxes so policymakers will need to be flexible and resourceful during the fall session.

Structural reforms to public transit, such as improving safety, should go hand-in-hand with additional funding. The more folks who feel comfortable taking public transportation, the more fares will contribute to funding the system.

Ensuring our region has a safe, functional, and welcoming public transit system is not a partisan issue. It is not a city or suburban issue. This is an issue that impacts the entire region. The small businesses that rely on public transit are counting on their legislators to roll up their sleeves, find consensus and not only save our public transit system but transform it to support a healthy, regional economy.

• Elliot Richardson is co-founder and president of the Small Business Advocacy Council.