Chicago's New Transit Funding Arriving in Late 2026
JB Pritzker’s recent legislation will add $1.5 billion annually to Illinois’ underfunded transit systems, though the funds will begin arriving only in the second half of 2026. New taxes are expected to generate nearly $320 million for transit by the end of that year.
Revival of Americans with Disabilities Act Ride-Share Program
The state’s historic transit funding bill, passed recently in Springfield, includes provisions to restore a threatened ride-share program for people with disabilities.
“An Americans with Disabilities Act ride-share program that was on the chopping block is set to be revived with money from the state’s historic transit funding bill,” officials announced during a Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) meeting.
Phased Funding and Transit Improvements
2026 will not see the full transformative impact promised for public transit, as only partial funding will be available.
- Officials anticipate approximately $320 million raised in 2026.
- Full funding of $1.2 billion is expected to boost CTA, Metra, and Pace services starting in 2027.
Despite limited funds in 2026, the budget includes enough to support the transit workforce and expand ADA ride-share initiatives.
Budget Allocation for Disability Ride-Share Programs
During the RTA board meeting, budget adjustments for 2026 allocated $56 million to specific programs improving accessibility:
- Pace’s Taxi Access Program (TAP)
- Ride-share Access Program (RAP)
“The RTA board on Thursday signed off on tweaked budget numbers for 2026 that allocate $56 million to Pace’s Taxi Access Program and Ride-share Access Program, known as TAP and RAP.”
These funds are aimed at strengthening the transit system's workforce and enhancing ride-share options for individuals with disabilities.
Author's summary: Illinois' new transit funding, starting late 2026, will prioritize reviving disability ride-share programs with an initial $56 million allocation, while full transit transformation awaits 2027 funding.