Labor Representative Addresses County Committee on Public Transportation Reform Efforts

JOLIET — A labor representative warned Will County officials Thursday that proposed reforms to regional public transportation governance could diminish the county’s voice in transit decisions during a presentation to the county’s Executive Committee.

Brian Shanahan, special rail division coordinator for the International Association of Machinists, briefed the committee on competing bills in the Illinois legislature that would restructure the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) amid ongoing financial challenges.

“When sweeping changes happen, and there’s always been financial issues plaguing the railroad, everybody decides that we need to rewrite history,” Shanahan said. “Well, our history in this county is a railroad history.”

Shanahan, who described himself as a Will County native whose family has lived in the county since the 1800s, expressed concerns about proposals that would consolidate transit governance under a single board, potentially reducing Will County’s representation.

“Unfortunately, some folks think that we shouldn’t have a seat at the table in these collar counties, but we should somehow pay for it, and I find that really sad and unfortunate,” he said.

The RTA currently oversees three service boards – Metra, Pace, and the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) – in a six-county region including Will County. Transit officials have warned of a looming “fiscal cliff” for the agencies, which have suffered from declining ridership, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic.

Shanahan told the committee he represents a coalition of 30 labor unions supporting Senate Bill 1938 and House Bill 2963, which they call the “United We Move Act.” He said this legislation would improve coordination among the transit agencies while preserving local input.

“Our goal with our bill is to have a coordinated service that provides voices across every county region and that provides more frequent service with reform making a safer, cleaner transit system,” Shanahan said.

Committee member Jackie Traynere expressed confusion about the presentation, saying the information provided didn’t clearly explain the bills’ content or what position the county was being asked to take.

“I’m totally confused by what I’m reading here as the bill and what you’re saying. The two things don’t seem to connect to me at all,” Traynere said.

Shanahan clarified that he opposes a “consolidated board” approach that would create “one super board” where “our voice will be taken away.”

No action was taken following the presentation, which was informational in nature. Shanahan offered to return for further discussions on the issue.

“I’ll come back and I’ll talk about this issue as many times as this group will have me because again, I care that much, and I will always care because this is where I’m from,” he said.