Illinois Senate Republicans are voicing strong opposition to House Bill 3438, which they describe as a Chicago takeover of suburban mass transit systems Metra and Pace. They argue that the bill enforces a billion-dollar bailout for Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, with the financial burden falling on suburban taxpayers.
According to critics, the bill proposes taxing suburban tollway users and reallocating over $70 million from DuPage County funds that currently support public safety and road repairs. Additionally, it introduces a new Real Estate Transfer Tax in the suburbs, significantly increasing taxes on home sales and directing some of these funds towards Mayor Johnson’s pension liabilities and what they claim is mismanagement of the CTA.
Senator Curran expressed his opposition: “I am strongly opposed to this legislation and am calling on my colleagues from both sides of the aisle to stop this Chicago takeover of suburban transportation.”
