After months of organizing, advocacy, and long nights in Springfield, Teamsters Local 700 is celebrating the passage of Illinois’ landmark $1.5 billion transit funding bill. For the thousands of public sector workers who keep the state’s buses, trains, and streets moving, including Local 700 members at the CTA and Illinois Tollway, the legislation represents a major victory for job security, reliable service, and respect for frontline workers.

“This is a proud day for Teamsters Local 700 and for every worker who keeps Illinois running,” said Local 700 President Ramon Williams. “We stood shoulder to shoulder with our brothers and sisters in labor to make sure lawmakers understood what was at stake. This bill is not just about funding buses and trains. It’s about investing in the people who make public service possible.”

The new legislation directs much-needed resources toward the Chicago Transit Authority, Metra, and Pace, while also ensuring downstate systems receive long-overdue support. It addresses the looming fiscal cliff that threatened service cuts and layoffs in 2026, securing a more stable future for transit employees across Illinois.

Williams credited the victory to the collective work of labor unions statewide, including members who took time off to testify, rally, and contact legislators. “Union members showed up in force,” he said. “They made phone calls, they packed hearing rooms, they told their stories. Lawmakers listened because they saw the people behind the uniforms and the wheel. That’s how we win — by showing the human side of public service.”

For Local 700 members employed at the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), and the thousands of municipal and county workers including many in transportation and public works, the bill’s passage offers hope after years of uncertainty. With long-term funding now in place, agencies can plan for the future, expand training, and keep experienced workers on the job.

“Stable funding means safer service, better planning, and fewer disruptions for riders,” Williams said. “But it also means our members can go home knowing their jobs are secure. They can keep putting food on the table without worrying if next year’s budget will pull the rug out from under them.”

The Teamsters were part of a broad labor coalition that worked behind the scenes to shape the bill and protect worker priorities. While not every detail is perfect, Williams called the final outcome “a clear signal that when labor stands united, working people win.”

“This is what solidarity looks like,” he said. “We built something lasting, not just for our members, but for every Illinoisan who depends on public transit. This is a win for workers, riders, and communities alike.”