After two years of public hearings and endless negotiations, Springfield Democrats rammed through a sweeping public transit bill in the early hours of October 31.

Senate Bill 2111, a controversial proposal to address Chicago’s failing transit system, was called during the final hours of the fall Veto Session, sparking criticism over both the timing and the substance of the proposal.

“Hundreds of millions of dollars in road projects across our communities will now be delayed because more than $500 million is being diverted to bail out Chicago’s mass transit system,” State Senator Dave Syverson said. “It’s wrong, and I strongly opposed yet another bailout for Chicago at the expense of our local infrastructure.”

The proposal draws new revenue from several sources, including a surcharge on tolls, interest on money in the state’s Road Fund, and an increase in the existing Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) sales tax.

Senate Republicans say the legislation virtually guarantees higher sales taxes on groceries and essential goods families depend on, while also raising tolls and driving up the cost of getting to work, school, or a doctor’s appointment. They argue the proposal isn’t about fairness or affordability, but about taking money from suburban communities to bail out Chicago and Mayor Brandon Johnson.