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Kane County lobbyists and officials oppose RTA transit bill language that would shift governance and funds
Summary
County lobbyists told the executive committee they are opposing language in the Senate transit bill that would centralize control in Chicago and Cook County, reduce local zoning control near stations and reallocate existing RTA funds; the county’s legislative committee plans meetings with House leaders to press governance changes.
KANE COUNTY — Kane County’s lobbyists briefed the executive committee on Sept. 3 about the state transit bill and accompanying governance language that county leaders say would shift control and revenue away from collar counties and concentrate authority in Chicago and Cook County.
State developments: James, a member of the county’s state lobbying team, told the committee the legislature will reconvene for veto session in Springfield on Oct. 14 and that the Senate version of the transit bill includes governance provisions county leaders find objectionable. "Kane County and the other most of the other collar counties had significant concerns with the governance structure contained in the Senate version that passed, which would potentially allow Chicago and Cook County to act unilaterally, without input from the collars," James said.
Specific concerns: Lobbyists and county officials described three main issues in the Senate language: (1) governance — appointment and voting structures that county leaders say could reduce collar counties’ influence; (2) a so‑called land‑grab provision that would allow a half‑mile zone around transit stations to be treated differently from local zoning; and (3) the risk of diverting RTA regional funds to a restructured authority. Kent Gaffney of McGuireWoods Consulting said the bill’s language could remove local control: "What I mean by that is there's a land grab in the current legislation... that dismisses zoning and all those things."
County action and strategy: The legislative committee has sent a letter of opposition to the Kane County legislative delegation and plans a meeting with House leadership (Representative Delgado) to outline governance concerns. County leaders expect revenue conversations to dominate the fall work in Springfield, and James said the House has indicated revenue is its primary focus, which could delay final action until next year. The county and collar counties are coordinating with other local governments and mayors’ associations to press changes.
Why it matters: County leaders say the governance and funding changes would materially affect how transit decisions are made and how regional transit revenues are allocated — and they have said specific provisions could remove tens of millions in county revenue that currently fund local services.
Next steps: The county’s legislative team will continue negotiations, seek geographic equity in gubernatorial appointments if the language remains, and ask the House to revisit governance provisions before any final package moves forward. The county requested executive‑committee consensus to oppose governance changes and to continue lobbying efforts, and members indicated support for continued action.
