The newly formed Northern Illinois Transit Agency, NITA, is hosting an open house to gather input from interested citizens and answer their questions.
The open house will be from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Oct. 14 in the Burlington Room at Union Station, 225 S. Canal St. Officials say the event is designed for citizens to explore and walk through the rider journey on the regional transit system, discuss pain points and future improvements, and learn more about what the Northern Illinois Transit Authority will do.
“This open house is the start of a broader series of public engagement opportunities, including additional in-person and virtual events,” the agency said in a press release. “Tell us what’s working, where you see opportunities for improvement and what matters most as NITA plans for the years ahead.”
Feedback gathered throughout the public meetings series will inform NITA’s budget, service planning, capital, and rider-experience work. There will also be tables on doing business with the regional transit system and applying to work at the agencies.
NITA is developing its first-ever regional budget for fiscal year 2027 for operations of the CTA, Metra and Pace. Survey responses will help NITA better understand public priorities as it develops the 2027 Regional Transit Budget and plans for future transit improvements. Officials will review the results alongside other public input and consider them as part of the broader budget development process.
NITA will release its proposed 2027 Regional Transit Budget on Nov. 3. Riders and residents will have additional opportunities to review the proposed budget and provide feedback during the formal public comment period before the NITA Board considers its adoption in December.