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11/5/07
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Last week, with just days before dramatic fare increases and service cuts to the region's transit system, Governor Blagojevich found money to temporarily bail out transit service in Northeastern Illinois. While the Governor may characterize this as a gift, commuters should wait before sending a thank you note. | |
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08/22/2007
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CHICAGO—Major reforms to the regional transit system have yet to be considered by Governor Blagojevich and the General Assembly, even though the state budget passed last week. In a March 2007 report following an audit of the system, Illinois Auditor General William Holland concluded that revenue from a regional sales tax had failed to keep up with the rising costs of running the system. | |
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08/18/2007
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Illinoisans wasted nearly 203 million hours of additional time on the road, and 141 million gallons of additional gas as a result of traffic congestion in 2005. | |
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07/31/2007
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CHICAGO—A survey released today by Illinois PIRG (Public Interest Research Group) found nearly half of all respondents rank transit service in Northeastern Illinois less reliable today than it was from just one year ago. At the same time, the poll found 66 percent in support of a tax increase to improve transit service in the region. The internet survey of over 800 Illinoisans comes as the General Assembly considers transit reform and new funding for PACE, Metra and the CTA. | |
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07/25/2007
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SPRINGFIELD–Citizens and representatives from labor, public interest and community groups descended on Springfield to demand action on Senate Bill 572. | |
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07/02/2007
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CHICAGO—While state legislators negotiate a state budget, funding to save transit in Northeastern Illinois remains stalled and Governor Blagojevich is threatening to veto legislation that would ensure reliable transit funding for years to come. | |
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06/28/2007
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CHICAGO—As dire cuts in service and fare hikes loom for Northeastern Illinois transit, a new study by Illinois PIRG (Public Interest Research Group) proposed linking reforms of transit agencies with new, permanent funding sources. | |
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05/25/2007
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CHICAGO—With Illinoisans ready to hit the road for vacation destinations across the Midwest this Memorial Day weekend, the consumer advocacy group Illinois PIRG (Public Interest Research Group) announced tips for consumers on how best they could minimize the impact of gas prices at the pump. | |
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04/26/2006
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CHICAGO—The consumer advocacy group Illinois Public Interest Research Group (Illinois PIRG) called for state lawmakers to take action to address the long term impact of high gas prices. | |
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03/25/2008
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Chicago—Efforts to promote state capital investment in transit received a boost today as state lawmakers and civic leaders held an event in Chicago highlighting a major new report on oil savings and other benefits from public transportation across the country. The Illinois PIRG report, A Better Way to Go: Meeting America’s 21 st Century Transportation Challenges with Modern Public Transit, examines the challenges faced by America’s transportation system and the benefits of existing rail and bus projects in Illinois. | |
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03/15/2007
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Today’s release of the Illinois Auditor General’s report on mass transit agencies’ performance underscores the need for transparency and accountability to go hand in hand with better funding. | |
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02/08/2008
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Illinois PIRG strongly criticized President Bush's proposed 2009 budget for reducing transit spending and raiding the Mass Transit Account at a time when national trends show the need for aggressive new investment in public transportation. | |
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02/08/2007
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The need for state action to ensure a reliable and sustainable public transit system was highlighted today with the release of the Regional Transportation Authority 2007 budget. The strategic plan calls for $10 billion in capital over five years and $400 million per year in operating funds. | |
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01/18/08
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Chicago—With the approval by the Illinois General Assembly of Governor Blagojevich's amendatory veto, commuters can now say good-bye to the cycle doomsday scenarios that have threatened commuters with fare increases and service cuts.
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Chicago-area groups call on Gov. Blagojevich to sign bill once legislature approves it. | |