Chicago's New Transit Funding Set to Revive Disability Ride-Share Program
JB Pritzker’s approval will inject an additional $1.5 billion annually into Illinois' underfunded transit systems, starting in the latter half of 2026. New taxes are projected to generate nearly $320 million for transit that year.
Disability Ride-Share Program Restoration
A ride-share program supporting Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) recipients, previously at risk of elimination, is slated for revival using funds from the recent historic transit bill passed in Springfield, according to officials at the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) meeting on Thursday.
Funding Timeline and Allocation
The full impact of this funding will be felt in 2027, when an estimated $1.2 billion in new resources will benefit CTA, Metra, and Pace. However, for 2026, although the $320 million in new revenue falls short of the promised major transformation, it will help stabilize the workforce and expand specific ADA programs.
- The RTA board approved a 2026 budget allocating $56 million to Pace’s Taxi Access Program (TAP) and Ride-share Access Program (RAP).
“JB Pritzker’s signature is set to pump an additional $1.5 billion a year into the state’s money-starved transit system,” officials said at the RTA meeting.
Officials caution that the transformational changes to public transit will begin in 2027 but emphasize that next year’s funding is critical for maintaining and expanding essential services.
Summary
Chicago's transit funding boost starting in late 2026 will prioritize restoring ADA ride-share programs and strengthening transit workforce support, with full transformational changes expected in 2027.