AI-generated illustration; not a photograph of the reported event.
- calendar_today November 2, 2026
NITA Debuts $5.02 Billion Budget Proposal for 2027
The Northern Illinois Transit Authority (NITA), the new agency overseeing Chicago-area transit systems CTA, Metra, and Pace, has presented its first proposed budget, totaling $5.02 billion for 2027. This figure represents a 15% increase from the current year’s $4.3 billion budget, made possible by additional tax revenue from the NITA Act.
Major Features and Service Upgrades
One of NITA’s key priorities is to strengthen public transit by improving frequency and safety without raising fares. The 2027 proposal commits to:
- No fare increases across CTA, Metra, and Pace
- Deployment of trained “transit ambassadors” as customer service representatives across the network by next summer
- A CTA pilot program introducing high-barrier gates early next year to deter fare evasion
- Continued funding for increased police and social service presence throughout the transit system
- Expansion of all-night CTA bus service to six routes: No. 12 Roosevelt, No. 35 31st/35th, No. 47 47th, No. 72 North, No. 85 Central, and No. 155 Devon
- Introduction of Sunday service to several Pace bus routes, including 501, 507, 508 in Joliet; 524, 530, 533 in Aurora; and Green Bay Road’s Route 213
- Increased Metra train frequency on the Rock Island Line
- Procurement of more than 200 new electric or hybrid buses for CTA and Pace
Five-Year Capital Plan and Project Highlights
In addition to the operating budget, NITA has added around $900 million in new funding to its five-year capital plan, bringing the total to $9.7 billion. Major initiatives for 2027 include:
- Addressing slow zones on the CTA Blue Line’s Forest Park branch between Kedzie and Pulaski
- Constructing a Pace electric bus garage in Waukegan
- Rehabilitating the CTA’s 43rd St. Green Line station
- Adding new elevators at the Western Brown Line station
- Acquiring nearly 100 new 7000 series ‘L’ rail cars
- Building a new Metra Rock Island Line station at 79th Street and Lowe Avenue
Long-Term Investment Commitments
NITA’s five-year capital plan prioritizes transformative projects and fleet modernization, including:
- $3.29 billion toward the CTA Red Line Extension
- Nearly half a billion dollars for new CTA rail cars
- $404 million allocated for new CTA buses
- $483 million to acquire battery-powered trains for Metra
Public Input and Next Steps
NITA estimates it will receive $1.3 billion in additional revenue next year through an expanded regional sales tax and a redirected portion of state gas sales taxes. The draft budget is publicly accessible at nita.illinois.gov and open for public comment until December 4, 2026.
Several public hearings are scheduled, including a board hearing in the Loop on November 14. The NITA board is expected to vote on the final budget on December 10.
Source: chicago.suntimes.com.
