10.15.24

Durbin, Duckworth, Members Of Illinois Delegation Announce $15.8 Million In Federal Funding For Chicago Transit Authority Improvements

CHICAGO – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), U.S. Representatives Jesus “Chuy” García (D-IL-04), Mike Quigley (D-IL-05), and Danny Davis (D-IL-07) today announced that the Illinois Department of Transportation will receive $15,805,600 in federal funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) for improvements to the Chicago Transit Authority’s (CTA) Forest Park Branch. This track modernization project will lead to increased service reliability, speed, and environmental resiliency.

“Robust and reliable public transit is crucial for Chicagoans,” said Durbin. “Today’s announced funding will allow for an efficient travel alternative in an area where congestion makes getting around more difficult. I’ll keep working with Senator Duckworth and members of the Illinois Delegation to do all that we can to help improve transit development and access for all Chicagoans.” 

“No matter their zip code, Chicagoans deserve efficient public transit to get to school, get to work and more easily move throughout the city,” Duckworth said. “I’m proud to see today’s funding go toward modernizing the CTA’s Forest Park operations, including increasing service reliability, speed and protecting against the effects of climate change. I’ll keep working with Senator Durbin and the Illinois delegation to ensure that our communities are receiving the much-needed federal resources they deserve.”

“When public transportation is unreliable or inefficient, it disrupts the daily lives of countless Chicagoans. We have the solutions to keep things moving, and now it’s time to put them into practice. Today's funding is a positive development. It will assist us in transforming an area burdened by congestion and delays and finally establish an environment that allows commuters to reach their destinations safely and on time,” said Rep. Quigley.

"Investing in our public transit infrastructure is crucial to ensuring that Chicago remains a vibrant, accessible city for all its residents. This funding for the CTA's Forest Park Branch will not only improve service and efficiency but also promote sustainability and economic growth across our communities. I am proud to work alongside my colleagues in securing these essential federal resources that will benefit the people of Chicago and the surrounding areas,” said Rep. Davis.

Durbin and Duckworth have previously pushed for federal funding for CTA improvement projects, having secured $746 million for the CTA Red Line Extension Project.  

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