MPC Senior Director Joins in WBEZ Reset Podcast

Chicago public transit could see severe cuts if funding is withheld

CTA braces for possible funding cuts after state lawmakers missed transit budget fiscal cliff, which could reduce transit by 40 percent

Reset with Sasha-Ann Simons | 23 min 58 sec
August 11, 2025

Metropolitan Planning Council (MPC) Senior Director Audrey Wennink participated in a WBEZ Chicago Reset podcast to discuss the public transit fiscal cliff after Illinois state lawmakers missed the deadline to close the $770 million budget gap for the CTA before the end of the fiscal year. If the budget hole isn’t plugged, Chicago’s public transit system could face hefty service cuts across the board. 

In the podcast, Audrey noted the importance of following a deliberative process and shared some transformative opportunities to be excited about. She emphasized that this is a chance for a fully integrated regional transit system and an opportunity to not only fill the gap but to provide funding beyond what we have now. She also pointed out the good news that there was fairly widespread agreement among legislators about needed reforms to governance. 

Audrey was joined by Sen. Ram Villivalam, Illinois representative of the 8th District, Rob Nash, RTA Director of Government Affairs and Kyle Lucas, Executive Director at Better Streets Chicago.