Chicago’s New Transit Funding to Revive ADA Ride-Share Program
Governor JB Pritzker’s recent transportation funding measure will inject $1.5 billion annually into Illinois’s struggling public transit systems, although the new funds will not begin flowing until the latter half of 2026.
“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 passed last week in Springfield,” officials said during a special meeting of the Regional Transportation Authority.
Funding Timeline and Projections
The transit funding bill is expected to generate about $320 million in new tax revenue by the end of 2026. While this is not sufficient for the sweeping improvements promised, officials anticipate transformative system upgrades beginning in 2027 when the full $1.2 billion increase becomes available for the CTA, Metra, and Pace networks.
Short-Term Impact and Programs
The funds arriving in 2026 will provide essential support for workforce stability and restore key accessibility initiatives. The RTA board approved an updated budget allocating $56 million to Pace’s accessibility programs — the Taxi Access Program (TAP) and the Ride-share Access Program (RAP).
Allocation Overview
- Total new annual transit funding: $1.5 billion
- Expected 2026 tax revenue: $320 million
- Full additional funding available in 2027: $1.2 billion
- Budget allocation for TAP and RAP: $56 million
Author’s Summary: Illinois’s upcoming transit investment promises stronger accessibility and workforce support by 2026, paving the way for broader system transformation in 2027.