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Rauner proposes cuts to Chicago transit, more road funding

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - Gov. Bruce Rauner's proposed budget would trim nearly $128 million from Chicago-area transit agencies, while increasing funding by a similar amount for road construction.

The Republican's proposal says the reduction would amount to 4.4 percent of the Regional Transportation Authority's budget. The RTA's 2015 operating budget is $2.9 billion.

The RTA is responsible for financial oversight of the Chicago area's transit systems, and its budget funds Metra, the Chicago Transit Authority and suburban Pace buses.

A summary released alongside the governor's address to the General Assembly on Wednesday says the state will continue to provide $131 million to support the RTA's capital improvement bonds.

State funding for downstate transit would remain the same as in fiscal 2014, and road construction funding would increase by $120 million to about $1.9 billion.

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