• 
The service standards would identify quantitative and qualitative attributes of quality 
public transit service using metrics drawn from the performance of high-quality transit 
systems in global metropolitan areas with populations and metropolitan economies com-
parable to the metropolitan region.
• 
Strengthens the ability for the new NITA Board and subordinate transit agencies to work on regional plan-
ning
• 
Establishes a “NITA Law Enforcement Task Force”
o Led by the Cook County Sheriff, in cooperation with the Chicago Police Department, Metra Police, 
State Police, and collar county and municipal departments, the Task Force would establish a public 
safety strategy.
• 
Establishes the “Office of Transit Safety and Experience”
o The Office would coordinate with law enforcement and social service agencies and oversee safety 
technologies and incident data collection.
• 
Expands transit-oriented development authority for NITA and the Service Boards
o NITA and local transit districts would be able to develop, finance, and partner on TOD projects.
o Would allow for funds-borrowing and the entering of contracts with private and nonprofit part-
ners.
• 
Establishes a 25% “fare-box” revenue recovery ratio
• 
Implements best-value procurement for certain contracts
o Adds additional minority contracting reporting requirements.
• 
Provides for some capital projects to be designated under “Fast-Track” and includes authority for use of 
eminent domain on utility and railroad property. Eminent Domain language was removed from later Senate 
versions.
• 
Imposes a broad-based new Service Board/NITA reporting requirements to capture reliability, safety, and 
other metrics
• 
Creates multiple advisory bodies but lacks formal business representation
o Would establish three Regional Service Councils, an ADA Council, and a Riders Council to advise, 
among other things, on service quality and planning. 
As passed the Senate, the following revenue-generating proposals were included in HB3438 to fund the new 
reformed governance structure.
• 
A statewide $1.50 “climate impact fee” or a per-package delivery fee.
• 
A new ground transportation tax (i.e., rideshare tax) of 10% of a gross trip fare in Chicago, Cook, and the 
Collar Counties. 
• 
A new Real Estate Transfer Tax in Cook County (excluding Chicago) and the collar counties of $1.50 per 
$500 of property value. 
• 
A new EV Charging Tax imposed at the rate of $0.06 per kilowatt hour of electric vehicle power.
• 
Redirects interest earned from the Road Fund to various Mass Transit Funds.
Among other things, a tollway surcharge of $0.50 was removed in later drafts after strong opposition from 
organized labor was expressed. A Road User Charge (RUC) pilot program was also removed in later amend-
ments. 
While the Chamber had to Oppose the legislation discussed above, we look forward to continuing conversa-
tions with legislative leadership and stakeholders on a workable mass transit governance reform package. HB 
3438 failed to pass in the House and is now awaiting further action.
16 | END OF SESSION REPORT

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