Illinois’ Regional Transportation Authority is warning of “doomsday” cuts to transit and commuter rail services throughout Chicagoland if the state’s General Assembly does not take action in the coming weeks. The RTA, which oversees the Chicago Transit Authority subway, Metra commuter, and Pace bus services, is facing a $770 million budget deficit. If the legislature does not act quickly, the agencies will have to start reducing services. 

“This isn’t just a transit crisis—it’s a regional emergency,” said RTA Executive Director Leanne Redden. “If the General Assembly does not act this spring, hundreds of thousands of Illinoisans will wake up in 2026 without a way to get to work, school or medical appointments with continued uncertainty in future years about their transit services. This doomsday scenario can still be avoided as long as our state partners vote to fully fund transit operations before it’s too late.”

Four of the CTA’s eight rail lines could be suspended, leading to the closure of 50 stations. Metra would need to reduce service by 40 percent, which means eliminating early-morning and late-night trains. Lines like the BNSF connecting downtown Chicago and Aurora could experience a reduction, cutting its 91-train schedule in half. Metra would also have to suspend service completely on the Metra Electric Blue Island Branch. —Justin Franz