The Chicago Metropolitan area must continue to maintain its dominance as a Transportation hub for the whole country. In order to do this there are several projects that must be started and completed over the next few years.
Elgin O'Hare Expressway
Must be adequately funded and completed. As the O'Hare Modernization program moves forward, this particular aspect of that program must be included and completed. This will benefit the entire region by moving commerce and workers to and from the communities it presently serves as well as those communities it will include once this seven mile stretch of road is lengthened.
Metra Upgrade
The extension of the system to the "Ex-urban" communities in the Western reaches of the Metropolitan area must be contemplated, planned and completed. In order to continue to have a strong and job producing economy this type of pro-active mass transportation project has to done. More and more people are going to utilize this sytstem as a means to get to and from work in the City of Chicago and the suburban area. As gas prices continue to move higher it becomes all that more important.
The EJ & E Rail
In order to transport workers and commerce around the outlying suburban areas, an agreement must be reached with CN as it moves forward in its purchase of this rail and the RTA to provide for the proposed Starline route and the villages and cities it would serve. Again, as the number of workers closely examine the use of their automobiles to get to and from work, governmental leaders need to act to provide mass transportation as a meaningful, reliable and efficient alternative.
The Pace System
There are a number of ways this system can be improved to provide an important link in the overall mass transportation system. One of the principle foci of the system must be to get workers to and from work. Continued business growth demands this. Among the projects/plans that urgently need undertaking include:
- Expansion of the system to include other neighboring suburban areas where existing routes currently are in place.
- Improvement and placement of bus stations to serve a larger portion of the population.
- Design better, well located and safer bus stops for consumers that utilize the system.
- Enhancement of the "Shuttle-Bug" system through third party providers. The shuttle bug system has to focus on bring people to and from the Metra train stations to commercial and industrial areas of the suburban communities.
Funding
No one likes to see tax increases, but in order to greatly improve Illinois overall transportation system this will have to be on the table. What could be considered is a 4 cent tax per unit of energy measurement. Not only should gasoline be taxed, but as other fuel sources come online, (ie: electric, compressed natural gas [CNG], etc.), they must be included in the funding formula. These funds collected should be divided equally (one penny each) to the city/village, county, state, and mass transportation system within the area that they are collected from. The funds must also be put into a "lock box" to be used soley for roads and the transportation system itself.
The City of Chicago must also pony up for improvements to its roads and CTA system. As State Senator Chris Lauzen (R-25th) so deftly points out, the City of Chicago does not invest nearly as much as other major metropolitan cities do in their public transportation systems. Additionally, better managment of its system must also be part of an overall plan to improve and adequately fund its transportation needs.
All of the components above need to urgently considered and acted upon in order to improve the economic well being of the whole metropolitan region. Inertia in these areas will only make the Chicago--Rockford megalopolis less attractive to business and industry. Aggressive improvements in all areas above will lead to the retention of existing businesses and attract additional businesses to the region. Job creation is critical to a strong economic future for all of Illinois.
