Union-backed proposal urges caution on restructuring RTA governance; Will County representatives press for local voice

A representative of the Machinists union, Brian Shanahan, briefed the Executive Committee on statewide public-transportation legislation and a labor-backed alternative, urging Will County to seek protections that preserve local input and public-safety priorities.

Shanahan described bills pending in Springfield (House Bill 2,963 and Senate Bill 19-38) and introduced a labor-backed package called United We Move (organizing labor and county advocates). He said the coalition’s aim is to improve frequency, service coordination and accountability without removing representation for suburban and collar counties.

Why it matters: Proposals to restructure Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) governance or change funding mechanisms affect who sets regional transit policy, how schedules and fares are coordinated, and which local governments have a voice. Committee members expressed concern that a single, consolidated governing board could centralize power and weaken representation for counties outside Cook County.

Key points from the presentation and committee discussion: - Shanahan said the goal is coordinated service planning, more frequent transit service where it is needed, and preserving local representation. He cautioned that an overly broad consolidation could remove local voices and complicate labor relations and pensions. “This is our opportunity to make those changes,” Shanahan told the committee. - Members asked how service coordination and any future revenue mechanisms would work across a six-county RTA region that includes Will County; Shanahan said the labor coalition’s bill focuses on governance and oversight rather than prescribing a single funding mechanism. - Several committee members emphasized concerns about public safety and ridership: without reliable service and perceived safety, usage can decline, making the system less sustainable. Some members also questioned whether rural or lower-density parts of Will County would receive meaningful service improvements under regional plans.

Committee response and next steps: The presentation was informational; committee members raised questions and asked for follow-up. No formal committee vote was taken on county position during the meeting. Several board members asked staff and the committee’s legislative liaisons to track the bills, analyze fiscal impacts and report back before the County adopts a formal stance.

Ending: The labor representative and committee members agreed to continue the conversation and seek more detailed analyses on governance options, fares and funding structures before any formal county endorsement.