Implementing Illinois FIRST: Progress Reports
In May 1999, the Illinois General Assembly approved Illinois FIRST (Fund for Infrastructure, Roads, Schools and Transit). This historic, five-year program provided a sorely needed increase in funding to address highway and transit capital needs. The Illinois Department of Transportation’s (IDOT) highway program increased from $6.8 billion to $10.5 billion for the years 2000 to 2004. For the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) and its three service boards – the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), Metra Suburban Rail (Metra) and Pace Suburban Bus Service (Pace) – funding for the same period increased from $3.23 billion to $5.25 billion.