The proposal would replace the Regional Transportation Authority​ — which oversees the Chicago Transit Authority, Metra commuter rail, and Pace suburban buses.

Transit agencies have warned that they would have to dramatically slash service if legislators don’t find funding to plug the budget gap, which comes as COVID-19 relief funding runs out.

State Sen. Ram Villivalam presented a plan to the Senate Transportation Committee to avoid a $770 million budgetary gap in 2026 for the CTA, Metra and PACE, which includes the creation of a Northern Illinois Transit Authority,