As someone who has spent nearly two decades keeping Chicago’s trains moving safely, I know how much our region depends on public transit — and how much is at stake if we let it fail.

Right now, Illinois is facing a transit fiscal cliff. By 2027, the CTA, Metra and Pace are projected to face a combined $834 million annual shortfall. Even with hiring freezes, fare hikes and one-time funds, that gap will only grow if left unaddressed.

That number represents real people who rely on buses and trains to reach work, school and medical appointments, and workers like me who keep the system running safely every day. Without sustainable funding, both groups will pay the price through layoffs, service cuts and longer wait times.

I’ve lived through that uncertainty before. In 2011, I was laid off ri

See Full Page