CHICAGO — The Northern Illinois Transit Authority (NITA) officially took effect on September 1, 2026, marking a new era for public transportation in Illinois. Created by Senate Bill 2111, the Northern Illinois Transit Authority Act, the new agency was championed by State Senator Ram Villivalam who led the measure through the Senate in late 2025. 

“I grew up riding the CTA to school and watching my parents take transit to work. I know firsthand that public transit changes lives. With NITA now in effect, riders across our region can count on a system that is safer, more reliable, and built to serve them for generations to come,” said Ram Villivalam.

Senate Bill 2111 provided the necessary reforms and the $1.5 billion transformational investment needed to avoid a dire fiscal cliff and secure a world-class public transit system for Illinois’ future. 

The measure established NITA, shifting authority from the Regional Transit Authority to a new entity that oversees CTA, Metra and Pace. This will eliminate government silos and ensure increased coordination between the agencies.

Addressing safety concerns, the measure establishes a transit ambassador program who are unarmed staff strained at train stops across the area providing customer service assistance, serving as a liaison with social service providers and alert law enforcement to potential criminal activity. The measure also includes reforms creating the NITA Law Enforcement Task Force aimed at combating violent and other types of crime that occur on the public transit system.

Senate Bill 2111 also secures the future of integrated service through the creation of the Interagency Coordinating Committee on transit innovation, integration and reform. The group will focus on how to improve and better integrate transit with intercity rail and bus networks in Illinois outside of the northeast region. Additionally, the law establishes a unified fare system, supports the state’s climate goals by requiring all newly purchased transit buses to be zero emissions, and improves accountability by installing performance metrics and service standards.

Thanks to Ram Villivalam’s steadfast efforts – Illinoisans will have access to safe, reliable, affordable and equitable public transit, where they need it, when they need it most.