CTA riders urge tax increase
Handicapped transit riders at Tuesday's rally / Photo by Stacy Warden
BY STACY WARDEN
August 28, 2007 | 5:22 PM
CTA riders and workers gathered on the corner of Clark and Randolph this morning in to push for a sales tax increase that would prevent thousands of layoffs, fare increases and bus line eliminations.
With a current deficit of $110 million, the agency is in serious need of a long-term fix. If passed, the proposed state legislation would increase sales tax a quarter of a percent in Chicago and the collar counties.
House Speaker Michael J. Madigan encouraged voters to contact their local legislature and urge them to vote yes on the bill.
“And if you know the governor, talk to him too,” he added.
If state lawmakers do not pass the bill before Sept. 16, El riders using cash and transit cards will be charged $3 during new peak hours. Chicago Card holders will pay $2.50. Monthly passes are set to increase to $84.
Some in Springfield, though, say it's unfair to expect taxpayers in Chicago suburbs without public transportation to bail out the CTA.
“What we’re concerned about is having road congestion relieved and we can’t do that with the status quo…half of our county has no public transit service at all. What we need are road dollars,” said Rep. Michael Tryon [R-Crystal Lake].
CTA rider Mark Sauly believes the problem is a lack of emapthy. “Most of them (legislature) don’t rely on the trains and buses like we do. They just don’t care about us at all.”
Mayor Richard M. Daley said he sees the measure differently.
"Those benefiting from the tax increase are the ones who will be paying for it,” he said. "If Springfield doesn’t act, every resident will suffer.”
Daley promised that he and everyone at the rally would be back next year (and the year after that) if the bill is not passed.
He ended with a message for the state legislature: “Deal with it now. This is not the time for politics in Springfield.”
A hearing will be held in consideration of the proposed legislation, Bill 572, at 10 a.m. tomorrow at the Thompson Center in Room 16-503. Legislators will vote on the bill next week.
With a current deficit of $110 million, the agency is in serious need of a long-term fix. If passed, the proposed state legislation would increase sales tax a quarter of a percent in Chicago and the collar counties.
House Speaker Michael J. Madigan encouraged voters to contact their local legislature and urge them to vote yes on the bill.
“And if you know the governor, talk to him too,” he added.
If state lawmakers do not pass the bill before Sept. 16, El riders using cash and transit cards will be charged $3 during new peak hours. Chicago Card holders will pay $2.50. Monthly passes are set to increase to $84.
Some in Springfield, though, say it's unfair to expect taxpayers in Chicago suburbs without public transportation to bail out the CTA.
“What we’re concerned about is having road congestion relieved and we can’t do that with the status quo…half of our county has no public transit service at all. What we need are road dollars,” said Rep. Michael Tryon [R-Crystal Lake].
CTA rider Mark Sauly believes the problem is a lack of emapthy. “Most of them (legislature) don’t rely on the trains and buses like we do. They just don’t care about us at all.”
Mayor Richard M. Daley said he sees the measure differently.
"Those benefiting from the tax increase are the ones who will be paying for it,” he said. "If Springfield doesn’t act, every resident will suffer.”
Daley promised that he and everyone at the rally would be back next year (and the year after that) if the bill is not passed.
He ended with a message for the state legislature: “Deal with it now. This is not the time for politics in Springfield.”
A hearing will be held in consideration of the proposed legislation, Bill 572, at 10 a.m. tomorrow at the Thompson Center in Room 16-503. Legislators will vote on the bill next week.
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