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PACE official says new Illinois transit funding secures services and allows 2026 expansion plans
Summary
Erin Smith, McHenry County’s PACE board representative, told the county board that passage of Senate Bill 21 11 restores critical transit funding, preserves ADA paratransit programs and enables network revisions and electrification plans for 2026.
Erin Smith, McHenry County’s representative on the PACE board of directors, briefed the county board on PACE’s 2026 operating budget and capital plans after the passage of state legislation described in the presentation as "Senate Bill 21 11." She said new funding will allow PACE to maintain and expand service, increase frequency, continue paratransit programs and pause proposed fare increases.
Smith highlighted $1,000,000 in community project funding secured earlier in the year (announced with U.S. Rep. Bill Foster and McHenry County board members) to buy electric ADA paratransit vehicles for McHenry County and noted planned system revisions and further electrification of bus fleets and facilities.
"This is a new chapter for PACE and for all transit across Northeastern Illinois," Smith said, noting planned service concepts for McHenry County and upcoming release of a draft network plan in 2026. She also reported rider-satisfaction figures from a county survey indicating roughly 90% satisfaction with PACE fixed‑route service and similar positive results for ADA paratransit.
Board members thanked PACE and cited positive local examples of paratransit service impact during public comment.
What happens next: PACE will release draft network scenarios in 2026 and continue coordination with McHenry County on service concepts and electrification projects; the county board asked staff to continue partnering on implementation and monitoring.
