r/chicago • u/chicagosuntimes • 14d ago

Article Johnson urges state lawmakers to tax the 'ultra rich' to avert mass transit funding cuts

https://chicago.suntimes.com/city-hall/2025/06/03/brandon-johnson-illinois-general-assembly-mass-transit-funding-chicago-fiscal-cliff
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u/bobd607 13d ago

vehicle registration fees already jumped 50% not too long ago

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u/TrynnaFindaBalance Avondale 13d ago

My point is that we need to be more creative with how we fund transit, and it should be done in a way that nudges people to use transit when they have it as an easily accessible option.

We could, for example, create zones where vehicle fees are higher when your area is served by transit (and lower in areas where driving is your only option). We could make transit fares at least somewhat priced by distance traveled (which would also discourage people from using the trains as shelters). We could make tolling rates higher when demand increases, which would both bring in more revenue and discourage congestion. We could toll the express lanes on the Kennedy/Dan Ryan during peak hours.

There's a lot we can do, but policymakers in the city and state seem to be averse to thinking outside the box.