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Insights into the NITA Act 

May 6, 2026 / Event Recaps

Launching Riding Into the Future: A Regional Vision for Transit in Northern Illinois

Panelists Audrey Wennink, Paul Lewis, Rep. Eva-Dina Delago, and Talia Soglin discuss details included in the NITA Act and the priorities for the implementation of the Act.

On April 30, 2026, Metropolitan Planning Council (MPC) hosted Riding Into the Future, an event celebrating the release of MPC’s newest report, Riding Into The Future: A Regional Vision for the Implementation of the Northern Illinois Transit Authority (NITA) Act. The event brought together leaders in policy, planning, and governance to discuss what comes next following the passage of the landmark NITA legislation and what riders can expect as the implementation begins. The event featured a presentation on the background and basics of the NITA Act, as well as a panel that focused on maintaining momentum and highlighting the opportunities ahead, as agencies begin the multi-year implementation process.

The panel conversation featured: 

Moderated by Talia Soglin, transportation reporter for the Chicago Tribune, the discussion explored how the legislation could transform the region’s transit system over the coming years with increased investments and how  governance reform will result in improved coordination and a better rider experience. 

Event attendees connect before the start of the event program.

Building a More Integrated Transit System 

Opening the event, Audrey Wennink reflected on MPC’s long-standing involvement in transit policy and regional governance. 

“MPC cares deeply about transit,” she said. “We have for many years. In fact, MPC was involved in forming the RTA decades ago, and we’ve always believed in finding ways to improve how transit works for riders.” 

Wennink noted that the legislation was informed by international best practices, including lessons from Germany’s regional transit model.  A study trip to Munich and Berlin with legislators, advocates and labor representatives was organized before the introduction of the bill. Germany, she explained, once faced many of the same challenges Chicago faces today: fragmented systems, high car dependency, and inconsistent service. 

“Germany was as car-dominant as we were 40 years ago,” she said. “But they committed to building stronger regional transit associations and reorganizing service delivery. Over the past several decades, they’ve created a system that is cohesive, reliable, and rider-focused.”

The similarities between the Chicago region and German metropolitan areas, including population patterns, suburban commuting, and work-from-home trends, made the comparison relatable. Despite underlying  similarities,  Munich and Berlin’s transit ridership greatly surpasses Chicago’s, as a result of their superior transit systems.  

Wennink also acknowledged the leadership of Representative Delgado and the extensive collaboration that shaped the legislation, including 35 House transit working group meetings in Springfield. 

What Makes the NITA Act Transformative? 

A major theme throughout the event was that the NITA Act is not simply a funding bill, it is a structural reform effort intended to reshape how transit is planned and delivered across the region.  

The vision behind the legislation is to create a more integrated, rider-centered system that is easier to navigate and more reliable to use. “This work is about strengthening our role as a world-class region,” Wennink said. “It’s also about affordability, sustainability, and improving quality of life.” 

The legislation includes: 

Transforming Governance and Regional Coordination 

One of the most significant reforms under the legislation is the restructuring of transit governance. 

The new board structure was intentionally designed to encourage coordination between agencies by creating overlapping board membership between NITA and the service boards for CTA, Metra, and Pace. Under the legislation, 17 of the 20 directors serving on the operating boards will also hold dual roles within the broader governance structure, helping bridge day-to-day operations with regional planning and oversight. 

The legislation also expands the role of the Governor’s Office in transit governance through five appointments to the NITA board. Panelists noted that this structure is intended to strengthen regional coordination and bring a broader statewide perspective to transit decision-making. 

“We learned from examples like New York’s MTA,” Wennink explained. “Board members need both a regional perspective and an understanding of day-to-day operations.” 

The legislation also introduces training requirements for board members on areas such as financial management and procurement, aiming to strengthen oversight and accountability. 

At the same time, NITA will assume new regional responsibilities through a transition process over the next several years. Those responsibilities include: 

Panelists emphasized that the goal is not simply to create another oversight body, but to establish a more collaborative and integrated governance model capable of delivering a seamless rider experience across the region. 

A New Approach to Safety and Rider Experience 

Safety was a key component in the development of the legislation and emerged as one discussed topic during the event. The legislation establishes a NITA Law Enforcement Task Force led by Cook County, as well as a new Office of Transit Safety and Experience. Together, these entities will coordinate across operating agencies, law enforcement, and community organizations to improve safety strategies across the system. 

Representative Delgado emphasized that the goal is not simply increased policing, but a broader approach to creating safer and more welcoming transit environments. “One way to change behavior is to have more people riding the system,” Delgado said. “Safety is connected to frequency, reliability, and the overall rider experience.” 

Audrey Wennink also highlighted the important role Transit Ambassadors can play in improving rider experience and perceptions of safety. Beyond enforcement, ambassadors can help riders navigate the system, provide assistance during disruptions, and create a more visible and welcoming presence across the system. 

Paul Lewis echoed that point, drawing comparisons to transit systems in Washington, D.C., and abroad. Successful systems, he argued, rebuild social norms through a combination of ambassadors, staff presence, service quality, and rider activity. “Safety and security can become a virtuous cycle,” Lewis said. “As systems improve and more people ride, the experience changes.” 

“One Network, One Ticket, One Timetable” 

Throughout the conversation, panelists repeatedly returned to the importance of seamless integration across agencies. 

Lewis described the philosophy behind Germany’s successful regional systems as: 

Using Berlin as an example, he explained that riders do not experience transit as separate agencies or competing systems. “There are more than 30 operators in Berlin,” Lewis said. “But riders don’t experience that complexity. They experience one system.” 

The goal for the Chicago region is similar: a rider should be able to transfer easily between buses and trains, navigate stations intuitively, and use integrated fare between services. As part of that effort, the legislation requires NITA to lead the development of the region’s next-generation fare system and implement coordinated regional fare policy. By 2028, the agency is expected to introduce a fare capping program. 

Panelists described this as an important affordability and accessibility reform, particularly for lower-income riders who may not have the ability to purchase monthly passes up front. The broader goal is to create a fare system that feels seamless across CTA, Metra, and Pace, reducing barriers between systems and making transfers and regional travel easier for riders. “Good governance,” Lewis noted, “means putting the burden of coordination on agencies, not on riders.” 

Panelists emphasized that achieving this level of integration will require more than operational reforms. It will also require a cultural shift within transit leadership and governance. Audrey Wennink stressed the importance of appointing board members and executive leadership who understand the rider experience firsthand and are committed to regional thinking rather than agency silos. 

The conversation also highlighted how leadership can shape organizational culture and rebuild public trust during periods of transformation. Referring to examples like Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, panelists noted that strong leadership has played a critical role in helping other transit systems modernize operations, improve coordination, and align agencies around shared regional goals. 

Transit Supportive Development 

The event also highlighted the role transit can play in shaping development and economic growth. Under the new law, NITA will have expanded authority to pursue joint development opportunities with municipalities and private partners near transit infrastructure. 

This could include: 

Panelists described these tools as important opportunities to strengthen communities while creating long-term financial sustainability for transit. 

Looking Ahead: A 5-Year and 30-Year Vision 

The conversation closed with a forward-looking discussion about what public transit in the Chicago region could look and feel like in the future—and what will be required to achieve that vision. 

Audrey Wennink described success in 5 years as “A system where parents feel comfortable letting their kids ride transit alone and where everyone uses transit, from students to people heading to events outside work” While also stressed the importance of leadership and governance “We need leadership focused on delivering the best outcomes for riders.” 

Representative Delgado pointed to visible and practical improvements that riders could experience within the next five years, including integrated fare systems, clearer wayfinding and signage, and easier transfers between CTA, Metra, and Pace. “In five years,” Delgado said, “people should be able to see and feel the connectivity across the system.” 

In the shorter term, she envisioned a system where riders begin noticing meaningful improvements in their daily experience: cleaner stations, more reliable service, stronger coordination between agencies, and a transit network where families feel comfortable allowing children to ride independently.  

Looking further ahead, Paul Lewis reflected on Berlin’s transformation from a fragmented post-Cold War system into one of the world’s most cohesive regional transit networks. “That future is possible here,” he said. “It takes time, leadership, and commitment—but it’s possible.” 

As implementation of the NITA Act begins, the conversation made one thing clear: the legislation represents not only an investment in transit service, but also a long-term investment in the future of the Chicago region. 

An event attendee reads the new report before the event begins.

Moderated Q&A 

How much autonomy for innovation will the service boards have under NITA? 

Panelists emphasized that the new governance structure is intended to encourage innovation, not limit it. 

Rep Delgado explained that CTA, Metra, and Pace will continue focusing on delivering and improving the services they operate today, while the overlapping board structure will strengthen communication between operators and the regional authority. 

“The service boards are pretty good at providing the service they provide today,” Lewis said. “Now they’ll be able to focus even more on improving those operations.” 

Paul Lewis added that the reform creates opportunities for innovation at multiple levels of the system. Service boards can focus on operational improvements and frontline ideas coming directly from staff, while NITA can concentrate on regional coordination, integrated fare policy, and long-term planning. 

Will board members be expected to ride the transit system? 

While the legislation does not formally require board members to ride transit, panelists stressed that rider experience and firsthand knowledge should be central expectations for future appointments. 

Representative Delgado noted that appointing authorities understand the importance of selecting leaders who are familiar with the system and can bring both operational understanding and a regional mindset to the role. “The expectation is that people appointed to these boards understand the system because they use it,” Delgado said. “That perspective matters.” 

What is the most important element of the NITA Act to successfully implement? 

Panelists stressed that the legislation must be implemented fully in order to achieve its intended benefits. “If we only do this halfway, we’re not going to get all the benefits,” Wennink said. She identified integrated service planning as one of the most important reforms because it directly affects the rider experience by creating a more seamless regional network. 

Panelists also highlighted the importance of organizational culture change. Several speakers emphasized that NITA is not simply “RTA with more money,” but rather an entirely different type of organization with broader expectations around regional coordination and rider-focused governance. “This requires a different mindset,” Delgado said. “A different organization and a different set of expectations.” 

Could programs like UPass expand region-wide? 

Audience members also asked whether successful programs like CTA’s UPass could eventually expand across the region. Panelists expressed strong support for broader fare integration and more comprehensive discounted fare programs across agencies. 

“One of the goals of a more integrated fare system is making successful programs work regionally,” Delgado said, noting that future opportunities could include expanded access for university students, community college students, and potentially even high school students. 

What qualities should the next NITA Executive Director have? 

Panelists said the future Executive Director of NITA will need to balance operational expertise, political coordination, and organizational leadership. Speakers also emphasized the importance of communication and relationship-building across all levels of government, including municipalities, state agencies, and transit operators. 

What role can community organizations play in implementation? 

Panelists emphasized that advocacy groups and community-based organizations will continue to play a critical role throughout implementation. 

The legislation creates several new opportunities for public engagement, including: 

Speakers noted that advocacy organizations were instrumental in helping pass the legislation and encouraged continued engagement as implementation moves forward.