Interview With MPC Director About Transit Governance Reform

Deadline Approaching for Illinois Lawmakers to Secure Transit Funding and Reform Bill

May 22, 2025
Sean Keenehan | WTTW News

Metropolitan Planning Council (MPC) Senior Director Audrey Wennink joined Pennie McCoach, President and Business Agent of Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 308, and Orlando Rojas, a Metra train conductor and legislative representative at Sheet Metal Air Rail Transportation (SMART) Union Local 653, for a WTTW News interview (10:37 min) about the looming budget shortfall facing CTA, Metra and Pace. Just days away from the end of the Illinois General Assembly spring session, transit agencies are urging for passage of a public transportation funding and reform bill to avoid service cuts and major layoffs at each agency.

Audrey spoke in support of creating a consolidated governing body—known as the Metropolitan Mobility Authority (MMA)—by merging all public transportation service boards.

“We really would like to see the region take a rider-centered proposal where we have different functions that are handled at a regional level.”