St. Charles, IL – With Governor Pritzker signing the $2.5 billion mass transit reform proposal into law today, State Representative Dan Ugaste (R-Geneva) released the following statement:
“I understand the need to have a functioning mass transit system in northeastern Illinois, but what we were told was a $230 million shortfall has turned into a $2.5 billion solution. The new proposal raises tolls by $1 billion, hikes transit sales taxes by nearly $500 million, and raids funding designated for downstate road and bridge projects. With a 60 percent hike on passenger vehicles and 30 percent hike on commercial vehicles, the impacts will be devastating for working families and businesses alike who count on Chicagoland toll roads for their transportation needs.
“The law also does not include any transit fare increases, instead leaving downstate and suburban toll road commuters to foot the bill,” Rep. Ugaste continued. “Both the collar counties and downstate are being taken advantage of. Spending more money than we need to right now is not the answer.”