Chicago's new transit money, set to arrive in late 2026, will first revive disability ride-share program

Chicago's New Transit Funding and ADA Ride-Share Program Revival

JB Pritzker’s recent signing will inject an additional $1.5 billion annually into Illinois' financially strained transit systems. However, this new funding will take effect in the second half of 2026, fueled by new taxes expected to generate nearly $320 million for transit by the end of that year.

Officials clarified during a special Regional Transportation Authority meeting that the revenue coming in 2026 won’t yet be sufficient to deliver the promised comprehensive improvements to public transit. A substantial increase of $1.2 billion is anticipated in 2027, which will benefit the CTA, Metra, and Pace services.

Immediate Impact on ADA Ride-Share Programs

Despite limited funds in 2026, some improvements are planned to support transit operations and accessibility. The budget for next year includes $56 million allocated to Pace’s Taxi Access Program (TAP) and Ride-share Access Program (RAP), both aimed at serving Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) riders.

"An Americans with Disabilities Act ride-share program that was on the chopping block is set to be revived with money from the state’s historic transit funding bill."
"The RTA board on Thursday signed off on tweaked budget numbers for 2026 that allocate $56 million to Pace’s Taxi Access Program and Ride-share Access Program, known as TAP and RAP."

Summary

The new transit funding beginning in late 2026 will first stabilize workforce needs and expand critical ADA ride-share programs before larger-scale transit transformations in 2027.

Author’s Note

This historic funding breakthrough marks a pivotal step toward improving Illinois transit accessibility, prioritizing vital ADA services even before full system upgrades arrive.

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Chicago Sun-Times Chicago Sun-Times — 2025-11-06

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