CHICAGO, May 29, 2025 ~ Chicago, IL- Members of the Labor Alliance for Public Transit, including the Teamsters union, gathered at Union Station today to demand action from Illinois legislators regarding the state's public transportation infrastructure and funding crisis.

Brandon Stewart, a member of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen who works at Metra, emphasized the importance of public transportation in keeping Illinois' economy running. "Every day we connect people to opportunity," he stated. "We deserve to be supported with the resources to do our jobs safely. We're not asking for special treatment. We're asking for the investment this system needs and the public deserves."

Currently, Illinois is facing a funding shortfall of over $700 million for its transit agencies. If lawmakers do not reach a deal by midnight on Saturday, passengers who rely on services from Chicago Transit Authority, Metra, Pace, and other paratransit providers could face significant cuts in service.

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Anthony Sessa, General Chairman of the United Passenger Rail Federation and Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes Division, stressed that a temporary solution will not suffice. "We can't put a Band-Aid on this problem," he said. "We need a comprehensive, long-term solution that addresses both funding and systemic improvements."

Shavonn Jones, a paratransit driver and member of Teamsters Local 727, shared her perspective as someone who helps seniors and people with disabilities get around every day. "For many of my passengers, I'm not just their ride," she explained. "I'm the only option they have to get around the outside world." Jones urged politicians in Springfield to pass a bill with dedicated funding for public transportation and not compromise on safety or shortchange those who rely on these services.

The International Brotherhood of Teamsters has been advocating for workers' rights since 1903 and represents over 1.3 million hardworking individuals in the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico. For more information, visit Teamster.org and follow them on Twitter @Teamsters and on Facebook at Facebook.com/teamsters.

Media Contact:

Matt McQuaid

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