SPRINGFIELD | Political squabbles that have delayed a long-term financial solution for the struggling Chicago-area transit system are also holding up money for smaller bus districts such as those in Bloomington, Decatur and the Quad Cities.
Infighting among Democrats about how to fix Chicago transit means that downstate plans to add buses or routes remains in limbo because the two are tied together.
The Illinois Senate on Tuesday approved a plan to expand gambling to, among other things, give more money to downstate transit districts this year.
But a long-term budget booster that would increase how much the state pays into downstate systems didn't get an expected vote.
Some bus system managers say that more state help wouldn't go unnoticed, and some already know how they'd use the money.
Bloomington-Normal Public Transit System General Manager Peter Weber said more state money would free up local funds to build a new garage.
Weber said he wants to add routes and service, but the system doesn't have enough buses. They can't have more buses without a bigger garage.
"We've got all the buses out we can get out right now," Weber said.
Jeff Nelson, general manager of the Quad Cities' MetroLINK said he asked local lawmakers for support and is encouraged that a budget boost is still being discussed.
He said the extra money could mean buses would come more frequently on existing routes. And MetroLINK could better deal with the rising employee health care costs.
"This could allow us to get caught up," Nelson said.
With the Decatur Public Transit System, General Manager Paul McChancy said 12 of 24 buses need to be replaced. Extra state money could provide for two, but he said he'll have to wait to see how - or if - lawmakers act.
"I'm just glad to get whatever they're willing to give us," McChancy said.
The Senate was expected to vote Tuesday on a plan to raise taxes in the Chicago area to benefit the system there. That legislation would have also helped downstate transit budgets, but lawmakers declined to vote on it at the last minute.
The House earlier attempted to approve the plan, but it fell 10 votes short of passage.
Lawmakers are not scheduled to be back in Springfield until October.
-- Mike Riopell can be reached at mike.riopell@lee.net or (217) 789-0865.
