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| A prosperous region must be able to move people and freight efficiently with a transportation system that conserves open space, respects air quality, and encourages land-use decisions that are consistent with vibrant, healthy communities. A region that is serious about broad access to economic opportunity should provide quality housing near job centers for workers of all income levels. A core principle of Chicago Metropolis 2020 is that good transportation infrastructure and rational, well planned regional development are essential to the long-term health and prosperity of the Chicago region.
New Study Shows High Economic Return for our Region's Economy from Investing in Transit Using state-of-the-art tools, Chicago Metropolis 2020 has studied the Regional Transportation Agency (RTA)'s "Moving Beyond Congestion" Strategic Plan to access the economic value that derives to the Chicago region from making those proposed investments. The results of this study are in our new report, Time is Money: The Economic Benefits of Transit Investment, which can be downloaded by clicking here. We were able to determine that spending the money needed to keep trains and buses running at current levels actually would pay a 21 percent return on our investment. For each $1 spent to meet the RTA’s plan, we get back $1.21 in saved jobs, new jobs and time saved for commuters. In this case, we invest nearly $1.7 billion and we get back more than $2 billion. The return is even greater if we, as a region, make the decision to invest more in the region's transit system. To read more from Time is Money, you may click on the cover to the right or you may read our press release on the subject.
Coalition of Regional Leaders Demands Increased Funding for Mass Transit, Questions Wisdom of Proposed Capital Bill On Tuesday, October 9, 2007, Chicago Metropolis 2020 Executive Director Frank Beal gave testimony before the Illinois House Mass Transit Committee. During his testimony, Beal read a letter signed by leading business and civic organizations from across the Chicago region, imploring our elected officials to support SB 572 in Illinois General Assembly, which would provide increased funding support for Mass Transit and stave off what has become known in the media as a transit "doomsday" for the Chicago region's mass transit agencies, the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), Metra and PACE. The letter goes on to raise fundamental questions about SB 1110, which was passed by the Illinois Senate in September. SB 1110 funds a capital program for roads that fails to adequately invest in mass transit. To download a copy of the letter, click here.
Chicago Metropolis 2020 testifies before House Mass Transit committee On March 2, 2007, Jim LaBelle testified before the Illinois House Mass Transit Committee (Rep. Julie Hamos, Chair). Jim testified about the need for increased investments in public transit simultaneous with reforms to the Regional Transit Authority (RTA) in order to give it more power to demand improvements in service and planning by the three service boards (CTA, Metra and Pace) who provide mass transit services throughout the Chicago region. Download Jim LaBelle's testimony by clicking here.
Listen to interview of Frank Beal on WBBM Radio 780 regarding RTA Reform Also, on March 2, 2007, Frank Beal was interviewed by WBBM's Bob Roberts on the agenda for the House Mass Transit Committee meeting. The clip is about a minute long and may be accessed by clicking here.
Guiding Principles for State Transportation Program Increased funding is needed to repair and expand the state's highways, railroads and mass transit, but any new capital program should be well planned, balanced, fully supported by new revenue and emphasize innovation. In January 2006, Chicago Metropolis 2020, the Metropolitan Planning Council and the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce called on the Governor and General Assembly to base any new capital program on these principles.
Update on the Regional Planning Act and Board On Tuesday, August 9, 2005, the Chicago region took a major step forward in achieving truly integrated land use and transportation planning when Governor Blagojevich signed Public Act 94-0510 into law, establishing the Regional Planning Board. This board was established with broad, bipartisan support in the Illinois General Assembly and will be responsible for coordinating regional land use and transportation planning in northeastern Illinois. Since being established, the board has begun organizing itself to report back to the Governor and the Illinois General Assembly by September 2006 with specific legislation to accomplish the tasks outlined in its establishing legislation. The board has established a website and is working to identify an Executive Director to fulfill one of its responsibilities as outlined by the General Assembly.
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