A letter emailed from State Representative Sara Feigenholtz (District 12) yesterday:
” I know you have been closely following the impending transit crisis as I have. I also realize the level of frustration and anxiety all commuters are experiencing and want you to know that I share them with you and stand with you on this important issue.
As a member of the House Mass Transit Committee, I co-sponsored and worked hard to pass SB 572. Last Tuesday, the Illinois House attempted to pass this transit funding legislation which would have also established comprehensive reform measures for the RTA while generating a long-term funding source to avoid the CTA service cuts, fare hikes and layoffs we’ve all been reading about in the papers.
Unfortunately, the measure fell short of the 71 votes it needed to pass. In my opinion, SB 572 is being held hostage by both the House and Senate Republican leaders who are using the transit issue as leverage to bolster other agendas. Compounding the problem are the Governor’s public remarks that he will veto the legislation because of the sales tax component of the measure.
Despite widespread support that exists in the General Assembly to overhaul the RTA and fund mass transit services, the bottom line is that we need to settle this issue immediately to avoid a transit meltdown. Know that I am reaching out to all legislators of both parties to avert this crisis.
My staff and I will keep you posted, but I strongly encourage you to contact the Governor’s office and the offices of the four legislative leaders to express your concerns and frustrations to them. Also, please visit the RTA’s website at www.movingbeyondcongestion.org to learn more about the proposals currently being considered to address our ailing transit system.
All my best,
Sara Feigenholtz
State Representative
12th District
Rod Blagojevich
Governor of Illinois
207 State House
Springfield, IL 62706
(217) 782-0244
Michael Madigan
Speaker of the House
300 Capitol Building
Springfield, IL 62706
(217) 782-5350
Tom Cross
House Republican Leader
316 Capitol Building
Springfield, IL 62706
(217) 782-1331
Emil Jones
President of the Senate
327 Capitol Building
Springfield, IL 62706
(217) 782-2728
Frank Watson
Senate Republican Leader
309 Capitol Building
Springfield, IL 62706
(217) 782-5755″
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