Lake County Gazette

Lake County has announced its opposition to a proposed Illinois transit bill that seeks to eliminate the 1/4% Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) sales tax in Lake and counties adjacent to Cook County.

According to Lake County officials, the new transit bill introduced in the Illinois General Assembly aims to remove this tax, which currently provides nearly half of Lake County’s transportation budget. The funds support various infrastructure projects and services. The elimination of this funding source would significantly reduce the county’s capacity to maintain and improve critical transportation systems relied on by residents and businesses daily, as said in a press release.

The 1/4% RTA sales tax supports over 100 planned transportation projects over the next five years. These include road and intersection upgrades, ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) and non-motorized improvements, and paratransit services for seniors and people with disabilities. It also funds equipment for the Lake County Division of Transportation. County leaders are actively working with state officials and regional partners to highlight the negative impact of the bill and advocate for the interests of Lake County residents before any legislative decisions are made, according to a press release.

"If enacted, this bill would slash over 50 percent of the revenue that funds Lake County’s transportation program," said Sandy Hart, Lake County Board Chair. "For the next five years, this would lead to the elimination of 132 planned projects, undermining critical infrastructure improvements and ending services like paratransit for seniors and people with disabilities. It is impossible to cover this loss of revenue, which will have a negative impact on economic development and safety projects."

The Lake County Board consists of 19 elected members representing different districts. It is responsible for approving the county budget, financial matters, and ordinances affecting government departments. Meetings are held in person at the County Administrative Tower in Waukegan or remotely via Zoom, with schedules and agendas available online. The board convenes monthly for regular sessions along with additional committee meetings, all of which can be viewed live on LCTV, according to Lake County.