Illinois state lawmakers spent hours on Thursday debating a proposal to overhaul the state's mass transit systems, though they have yet to announce a specific plan for addressing a $771 million budget deficit looming over the Chicago area's public transportation system.

A proposal focused on reforming the structure and governance of the Chicago area's mass transit system would replace the Regional Transportation Authority — which oversees the Chicago Transit Authority, Metra commuter rail, and Pace suburban buses — with a new organization called the Northern Illinois Transit Authority. 

The measure also would create a board of 20 directors — five appointed by the governor, five appointed by the mayor of Chicago, five appointed by the Cook County Board president, and one each appointed by the board presidents in DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, and Will counties.

NITA would be charged with creating a universal fare system and handling all long-term infrastructure projects for the CTA, Metra, and Pace. The bill would also create a dedicated transit police force.

The bill does not, however, address a $771 million budget shortfall.

If no action is taken to increase state funding for mass transit, the CTA has said it would be forced to close 50 'L' stations, lose more than 70 miles of rail service, and eliminate more than half its bus routes starting next year. The CTA has not yet said which specific 'L' and bus lines and 'L' stops would be affected.

Meanwhile, Metra would suffer a 40% reduction in service, and Pace threatens to eliminate all service after 8 p.m. and all weekend rides. However, the bill's sponsors and Gov. JB Pritzker said reforms are needed before they deal with the funding issues.

"What we really need is to uplift the entire system, make it safe for everybody to ride, get to work, go to school, get home safely. Hyper important to me that we're doing that because you can't put money into something that doesn't guarantee that at the start," he said.

Metra said in a statement, "We are still reviewing the House and Senate versions of the bills."

A spokesperson for Pace said that agency is also reviewing the bill. 

The RTA also responded to the bill, saying: 

"We are reviewing the proposed transit reform legislation. Our intention is to do a complete analysis before making any statements about what is in the bill or how it may impact the region's transit system. 

"It is clear from initial review, however, that this bill does not contain any new funding. To date, riders have sent more than 15,000 letters to their legislators urging them to act this session. Reforms alone cannot close our fiscal cliff, and riders will need to brace for service cuts in 2026 if the State does not provide funding certainty by May 31."

Transit workers and their unions said lawmakers need to address both reforms for the system and additional funding to avoid service cuts so many of them can keep their jobs.

"We're asking for reform. We have no problem with reform, but we want the funding as well to come along with it," said Cassie Collins, assistant secretary-treasurer of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 308, the union representing CTA rail operators and other workers on the agency's train system. "We want a revenue stream that will continue. Our families, our livelihoods depend on it. If we don't get that funding, pink slips are going out."

Sponsors of the legislation unveiled on Thursday said the included reforms are necessary before lawmakers deal with the mass transit system's funding issues.

"Testimony showed that there are critical issues facing the system as it operates today. Riders are experiencing frequent delays, bunched buses, or simply no transit options at all," said Illinois state Sen. Ram Villivalam (D-Chicago).

Villivalam said, when it comes to funding, proposed legislation will help mass transit agencies avoid the looming fiscal cliff, and leave room for additional investments, but he wouldn't specify where that money is coming from, only calling the funding system a "shared sacrifice" – a combination of "cost savings, existing funding, and many other mechanisms."

While the proposals unveiled on Thursday don't address the funding needs of the Chicago area's mass transit agencies, Better Government Association president and CEO David Greising said there is progress on both fronts.

"From the very beginning, those two issues – the governance, the structure of the agencies, and the funding – have been treated as separate issues," he said. "If the progress that has been made over the last couple of days is any indication, we may get to the point where they need not worry so much about the possibility of service cuts."

The legislature's spring session is scheduled to end on Saturday. It's unclear if lawmakers will take up mass transit funding by then, and government watchdogs are keeping an eye on the clock.

"A lot of damage can be done in these last hours of the General Assembly, and we've got to keep a careful eye to the very last minute," Greising said.

Another thing Greising said to watch for action on by the General Assembly in these last couple days is transit safety. He said it is one issue that's been gaining momentum through the session.