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On Friday, Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn announced a plan to provide more than $500 million for mass transit infrastructure improvements throughout the state. The funding, to be provided through the Illinois Jobs Now! capital construction program, would help create and retain an estimated 18,000 jobs and improve passenger safety, Quinn said in a prepared statement.

The funding includes more than $442 million for northeastern Illinois' Regional Transportation Authority, which will provide $253 million to the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), $157 million to Metra and $32 million to PACE. Transit systems outside the Chicago area will receive $58 million for new facilities and other improvements.

CTA plans to use the proceeds to help eliminate slow zones, rehabilitate elevated train stations, improve the safety of existing infrastructure and increase accessibility. Metra will receive $119 million for new electric cars, and $38 million for reconstruction and improvements at eight stations.