Our Heroes

Northern Illinois Transit Authority Act

2026 Government and Legislation: Municipal, county and state governments or agencies initiating mission-focused programs or projects.

Governor JB Pritzker signed the Northern Illinois Transit Authority (NITA) Act, SB2111, into law, marking a landmark action in modernizing Illinois’ transit system. The law creates a new regional authority to oversee CTA, Metra, and Pace, while delivering significant investments in public transit, capital projects, and tollways across the state—all without raising statewide taxes.

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The law will redefine how transit operates in Illinois, giving NITA expanded authority over service planning, capital projects, fare collection, and operational oversight, all while addressing the fiscal cliff that threatened the reliability and long-term stability of the state’s transit systems. These improvements extend beyond riders, as better transit expands job access, creates cleaner air, lowers congestion, and supports economic development. According to Argonne National Lab, each dollar invested in transit generates $13 in economic activity, highlighting the far-reaching impact of these investments.