CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM
ACTION REQUESTED:
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Concur with staff’s recommendation to oppose increased land development authority for regional transit agencies
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DEPARTMENT: City Manager’s Office
SUBMITTED BY: Marcie Schatz, Assistant to the City Manager
BOARD/COMMISSION REVIEW:
N/A
BACKGROUND:
At its January 21, 2025, meeting, the City Council approved the 2025 Legislative Priorities and the Legislative Review Process. Staff recommends the City oppose components of pending transit legislation that do not fall under any of the identified paths in the approved Legislative Review processes. Therefore, this item is being placed on an agenda to ensure staff and the City Council are aligned.
DISCUSSION:
The Illinois General Assembly is considering several proposals to address regional transit funding and governance issues. The City’s 2025 Legislative Priorities include the priority of reforming regional public transit and specifically:
• Affordable, convenient transit vital for Naperville and the region
• Reforms needed to ensure fair governance, quality service and sustainable funding
Under this priority, staff has the authority to take positions on governance, service, and funding provisions of transit bills as identified.
Land Development/Acquisition Authority
Currently, the CTA, Metra, and Pace have the authority to develop property for transit purposes only and acquire public and private property if needed. The legislation passed by the Senate earlier this spring, would expand the authority to develop, redevelop, and/or acquire property for residential or commercial purposes within a ½ mile of transit stations. Maps identifying the ½ mile radius of the Naperville and Route 59 train stations are attached for reference.
The regional transit agencies are charged with:
• RTA
o Oversee finances, secure funding and conduct transit planning for CTA, Metra and Pace.
• Metra
o Provide safe, reliable, efficient, and affordable commuter rail service that enhances the economic and environmental health of Northeast Illinois.
• Pace
o Manage public transit by bus in the suburban areas of Northeast Illinois and create a simpler, more convenient, and faster network of bus service.
• CTA
o Deliver quality, affordable transit services that link people, jobs and communities through bus and rail.
Staff recommends opposing this expanded authority. The regional transit agencies should focus reforms and efforts on providing safe, affordable, and convenient transit services that are core to their mission and not expanding their land development authority.
FISCAL IMPACT:
N/A