Springfield, IL – State Representative Dan Ugaste (R-Geneva) will soon be filing legislation aimed at halting self-benefiting advertising campaigns from Illinois entities, public or private, that receive government funding. This important legislation is in part a response to the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) attempting to persuade the public to contact their legislators regarding bills that could provide it with additional state funding.
This ongoing ad campaign from RTA is known as ‘Save Transit Now.’ The agency claims that it is facing a fiscal cliff, and drastic service cuts could be on the horizon if more state funding is not secured. They are reportedly seeking an additional $1.5 billion in funding from the state.
“The agency claims it is broke, yet the organization is currently spending three-quarters of a million dollars on an all-encompassing ad campaign in northeast Illinois,” Rep. Ugaste stated. “This reckless spending is wasteful and out of touch. No entity that receives government funding should be allowed to advertise to the public, solicit the public, or conduct a marketing campaign in favor of or against any policy or legislation.”