Illinois panel calls for restructuring of Chicago transit agencies' governance

A task force appointed last year by Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn to study the future of Chicago-area transit has recommended abolishing the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) and the boards of the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), Metra and Pace in favor of a new entity to oversee transit policy and funding, The Chicago Tribune reported yesterday.

The Northeastern Illinois Public Transit Task Force concluded that the current structure of four separate transit boards and 47 directors has "structural, cultural and historical impediments [that have] led to stalemates and dormancy [and] inhibited collaboration" between the agencies, the newspaper reported.

CTA, Metra and Pace should become "operating divisions" under a single board of a new entity, similar to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority in New York City, the panel recommended, according to the Tribune.

The panel's recommendations will be written and made public on March 27. The panel then will report its findings to Quinn and the Illinois General Assembly. Altering the RTA would require a change in state law, the Tribune reported.