Peoria Standard

Democratic lawmakers in Illinois passed legislation late Thursday aimed at providing financial support to Chicago’s mass transit system. The measure, which was amended during the final hours of the fall veto session, redirected funds originally intended for local road and bridge projects in other parts of the state to support public transportation in the Chicago area.

The bill’s amendment was introduced with little notice. According to critics, including State Representative Travis Weaver (R-Pekin), there was no opportunity for public or stakeholder review before it moved forward. “Once again, downstate citizens are being asked to bail out Chicago’s mess, and the latest ‘solution’ offered up takes away dollars intended for our local communities and sends them to Chicagoland. Thousands of dollars that Central Illinoisans are already paying in motor fuel taxes that are supposed to fix our area roads and bridges are now being funneled to bail out Chicago mass transit. This is outrageous,” said Weaver.

Weaver also criticized the legislative process used by Democrats: “This legislation passed in the middle of the night, on the final day of the fall veto session, with no time for the public or stakeholders to review the amendment. There were several other bad bills passed during this veto session, which stretched into the early morning hours on Friday in what has become normal in Springfield. These shady tactics only further erode public trust in this state government.”

He added: “There was no reason for the chaotic rush to pass this bailout and other bills in the 11th hour except to try to avoid scrutiny and actual due process. Democrats have once again put politics before people, and it’s a disgrace and insult to all Illinoisans.”

Weaver is a Republican who began representing Illinois’ 93rd House District after his election in 2023, succeeding Norine Hammond.

More details about the legislative package can be found at Chicago Sun-Times.