With both the state and city budgets resembling tumbleweeds, the State Legislature is once again targeting eliminating the free rides for seniors on public transportation that former Governor Rod Blagojevich signed into law up in order to sew up the support of one of the largest and influential voting blocs in Illinois. Blagojevich signed the measure into law two years ago in exchange for a small sales tax increase on mass transit. more ›

So about those free transit rides. While there's been some movement in getting those free rides reduced, it still didn't deter people from taking mass transit for free in droves. The RTA estimated the free rides would increase in 2010 over 2009's totals by about 1 million total rides. But through the first six months of the year, there have already been 2.5 million more free rides taken than all of last year for a total of 37.5 million rides so far in 2010. If the pace keeps up, that's roughly 75 million free rides for the year. According to the Tribune, the free rides are offered to, "senior citizens, disabled military veterans, low-income individuals covered by the state circuit-breaker program and active military personnel in uniform." Even at reduced fare, the rides taken by seniors, for instance, would have provided a healthy chunk of change for the transit agencies that are dealing with service cuts and repair issues. Thanks a lot, Blago. more ›

Just weeks after the last try was shot down, a new attempt to alter the law allowing free transportation rides for seniors is back in the state legislature. The bill, which passed the state Senate yesterday, would limit free rides to single seniors making less than $41,000 and couples making less than $55,000. With estimates of lost revenue from the current bill as high as $60 million, the new cuts would save the RTA $35 million, which we suppose is better than nothing. The bill previously voted down set a rather reasonable threshold for single seniors who make less than $27,610 a year or couples who make less than $34,635 a year. The bill would expire in two years, allowing the state legislature to evaluate results and decide if and how the law should be changed. We know plenty of people who make less than $41,000 who can afford CTA rides, but we're not state lawmakers. more ›

If the Illinois State Legislature has their way, we could see a serious reduction in the free transit rides offered to seniors. If you remember, the free rides for all seniors was a stipulation that douche rocket former governor Rod Blagojevich demanded in turn for giving local transit agencies funding that would (temporarily) stave off another doomsday. With those free rides costing area transit agencies about $58 million this year in the face of huge deficits, state lawmakers are looking to scale back the rides and put a little bit more money in the agencies' pockets. more ›