Overview
- House negotiators outlined a package built on about $860 million from state motor‑fuel sales taxes, roughly $200 million from road‑fund interest, and authority for a 0.25 percentage‑point Regional Transportation Authority sales‑tax increase.
- The plan includes higher Illinois Tollway charges—about 45 cents more per passenger‑car toll and a 30% increase for commercial vehicles—generating an estimated $750 million to $1 billion annually for the tollway rather than flowing directly to transit.
- Lawmakers removed earlier proposals for a 7% streaming tax, new event‑ticket fees, and an unprecedented tax on unrealized capital gains after those ideas drew opposition.
- Some downstate members objected to the late changes and regional focus, and Gov. J.B. Pritzker left open calling a special session if a deal does not come together.
- RTA now puts the 2026 gap near $200–$230 million, rising above $800 million by 2027 without further action, and the CTA warns service could be cut by up to 25% next August absent new funding.