At our recent State of the State panel discussion, business owners expressed concern over a lack of funding for local public transit agencies. This spring, the Illinois General Assembly adjourned without finalizing a solution to a massive budget deficiet for CTA, Metra and Pace. The result could be an across-the-board slash in service that would cripple Chicago’s economy. To assist lawmakers in advocating for funding, the Greater Ravenswood Chamber of Commerce developed a survey to collect data on the potential impacts of service cuts on local businesses and neighbors.
Background
CTA, Metra, and Pace are facing a $770 million shortfall after lawmakers failed to pass substantial transit funding leguslation by the end of their spring session. The agencies predict that 40% system-wide service cuts will be inevitable if the gap is not filled by 2026.
House Bill 3438, proposed by the IL State Senate, aims to secure funding to fill this gap in transit agency budgets. It would also bring long-anticipated reforms and improvements to regional transit. HB-3438 is currently stalled in the IL House of Representatives, having missed a critical deadline on May 31. Without the bill, provisions for transit funding are not included in the 2026 state budget. As a result, the CTA and other transit authorities face 40% service reduction and roughly 3,000 layoffs. However, it’s not too late for HB-3438 to pass through the House. Click here to read more about HB3438.
If the cuts occur, the most drastic changes would be felt in Chicago. The CTA would be forced to shut down half the city’s “L” lines and eliminate nearly 60% of bus routes. This would cut bus access for 500,000 Chicagoans and leave 260,000 workers without a reliable way to commute, according to the Regional Transit Agency.
Measuring Transit Impacts in Ravenswood
The GRCC believes public transit plays a vital role in making Ravenswood a uniquely vibrant and accessible destination for residents and visitors. Countless Chicagoans depend on transit availability for their daily commute, including a significant number of employees at small businesses. A 40% service cut would be disastrous for businesses and residents, in Ravenswood and across the city. In response to conversations with Senator Mike Simmons’ (IL-07) office, we released a survey in late July targeted at business owners and neighbors. Our goal was to better understand how they use and benefit from public transit.
In 6 weeks, we received over 50 responses from business owners and over 400 responses from neighbors. Results show that the vast majority view cuts to public transit as an existential threat to neighborhood vitality, community relationships, and local commerce. These respondents represent a fraction of Chicago voters, but their sentiments are echoed in conversations across the city.
Want to voice your opinion? We want to hear from you! Both surveys remain open for responses:
Public Transit Impacts on Local Businesses
Small businesses, many of which are already facing a host of economic pressures, expressed deep concern about the ripple effects of reduced transit service. Notably, they warned that disruptions to employee and customer commutes could severely undermine sales and operations.
- Transit is essential for customers and employees alike. Nearly half of business owners estimate that the majority of their customers use public transportation, and a significant number of employees depend on it for their commute.
- Cuts would directly hurt sales and operations. Business owners stressed that reduced service would make it harder for customers to reach storefronts, employees to arrive reliably, and businesses to attract talent—ultimately threatening their bottom line.
- Transit access drives location choices. Several owners said they intentionally chose their business location based on proximity to CTA or Metra stops.
What Business Owners Are Saying
- “I located my business where I did because of its adjacency to public transportation. It provides a service that is essential to many of my customers.”
- “Some of the employees here would have no affordable option to get to work if there was no public transit.”
- “Continued investment in public transit directly benefits small businesses like ours by making it easier for people to explore and support their local communities.”
- “Public transit is key to the life of the city, we support all efforts to sustain, improve, and grow this essential infrastructure.”
- “We serve a base of constituents from all over the city and nearby suburbs, all of whom rely heavily on public transportation which is already woefully insufficient to meet Chicagoan’ and neighbors’ needs. These cuts would be disastrous for our base.”
- “We’re a destination shop with customers who come from all over the city rather than primarily serving residents of one neighborhood. Drastically cutting service will make it much harder for our customers and employees to get to us, and I fear will harm sales right at the time when our costs have increased due to tariffs. Having longer commute times will also mean that we’ll either need to reduce our open hours or have less time with our families. Please don’t cut service!”
Public Transit Impacts on Residents
More than 90% of residents reported that they could not live comfortably in Chicago without reliable public transportation.
- Residents are reliant on public transit. Over 90% reported they could not live comfortably in Chicago without reliable service. Many stated that they don’t own cars by choice or necessity. Respondents rely on transit for commuting to work, medical appointments, grocery shopping, visiting loved ones, accessing resources, and recreational activities.
- Cuts would be devastating. Residents voiced fears that service cuts would lead to job losses, force families to purchase cars they can’t afford, and push people to leave Chicago altogether.
- Equity and accessibility are central concerns. Many noted that seniors, people with disabilities, and low-income neighbors would be disproportionately harmed by reduced service.
- Chicago wouldn’t be the same. Respondents described public transit as Chicago’s “lifeblood” and “backbone,” linking it to affordability, environmental sustainability, and the city’s reputation as a connected, world-class metropolis.
What Residents Are Saying
- “Without public transit, I would spend less time and money in my community. Instead I would spend it on parking fees, pollute more to travel to the suburbs for leisure to avoid traffic, and likely have to purchase and park a second car. To me, paying to keep cheap, reliable transit is a much better use of the budget than doubling the parking spots in a few years, paying for economic impact of driving away business and preventing workers from traveling to jobs, and dealing with the ecological impact of increase car usage.”
- “As someone with cancer, I cannot drive myself anywhere and so public transportation is something that is greatly needed for me. It’s a matter of life and death. So all I ask is that when the issue of this transportation comes up, that you ask yourself what life would be like, if you did not have a car.”
- “I don’t drive and just had my first baby. Part of the reason I chose to move to Chicago to start my family is to be able to enjoy all Chicago has to offer with my daughter by walking/bus/train. It’s very important for my family that these services are funded!”
- “Public transit is a keystone for an accessible, equitable, livable community for everyone. The CTA is part of what makes Chicago the incredible city that it is!”
- “The 40% cut would be devastating. I don’t own a car, so I rely on CTA to get me to the store, to work, and around for leisure. Without cross town service or off-peak buses, Chicago doesn’t really make sense to live in.”
- “Without reliable public transportation, I would heavily consider moving out of the city to somewhere I wouldn’t need to rely on driving to get around. I want my taxes to fund this invaluable resource to our community to help make the city a better place rather than line a politician’s pockets.”
- “My husband and I are in our 80s and rarely drive at all anymore. I believe we will soon be completely dependent on public transportation. We intentionally moved close to a bus station and Brown line stop so that we would be able to take advantage of the city’s opportunities. Without public transportation, we will be pretty much housebound.”
- “Chicago is one of the few places in the United States where it’s possible to thrive without needing to spend tens of thousands of dollars on a car just to get around. Without accessible transit, many Chicagoans will be faced with tough financial decisions.”
What’s Next?
Forward-looking transit advocacy groups and public leaders continue to call for an emergency special session to pass HB-3438. The GRCC will continue to work closely with these advocates to raise awareness and protect safe, accessible transit throughout Chicago.
Ready to make your voice heard? Write or call your state legislators to share your thoughts on public transit cuts. RTA’s Take Action tool makes it easy for concerned Chicagoans to send an email in one click.
For more information about the transit budget gap, visit the RTA’s Regional Transit Funding Cliff Hub.
